Purpose: To provide Pennsylvania online casino players with a detailed overview of their online casino options
Compared to New Jersey, where online casinos have been operating legally since November 26, 2013, there were no legal online casinos in Pennsylvania until nearly six years later.
How Legal Pennsylvania Online Casinos and Sportsbooks Got Started
On October 30, 2017, after a long history of trying to get the needed legislation passed, PA Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill (HB271) into law authorizing online casinos offering slots, table games, and poker to open in that state. That made Pennsylvania the fourth state to legalize online gambling after Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey. But it was not until the summer of 2019 that the first PA online casinos opened.
The 2017 law delineating the various types of gambling that approved Pennsylvania operators could offer also permitted the following:
- Retail and online sports betting (pending the lifting of the the-existing ban on sports betting in most states)
- Daily fantasy sports
- Online lottery
- Tablet gaming (in designated areas at authorized airports)
- Video gambling terminals (at authorized truck stops)
- Mini-casinos (with 300-700 slot machines and up to 30 table games)
Sports Betting
When the Supreme Court finally repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) on May 14, 2018, it opened the door for individual states to decide if, when, and how, they wished to make sports betting legal in their state. Pennsylvania wasn’t the first state to join Nevada in allowing full-scale sports betting. Bragging rights for that honor went to Delaware, followed by New Jersey shortly thereafter. But because Pennsylvania also acted relatively quickly, the state’s first legal retail sportsbook opened at Penn National Race Course in Grantville on Nov. 17, 2018.
The first PA online sportsbook (Sugarhouse) launched in May 2019, two months before PA online casinos became available.
Complete List of PA Online Casinos as of August 2022
Currently, there are 17 online casinos operating in the State of Pennsylvania, four of which also offer online poker and 14 of which offer online sports betting. This makes Pennsylvania the state with the second largest number of online casinos, trailing only New Jersey with 30 online casinos.
Here is a complete list of all of the online casinos in Pennsylvania. Below each one, we also list the website, date launched, affiliated land-based casino, and online poker and sports betting sites, if applicable.
Barstool Sportsbook
Website: http://www.barstoolsportsbook.com/casino/pa
Date launched: May 5, 2021
PA land-based casino partner: Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
Other online gambling: Sportsbook
BetMGM
Website: https://casino.pa.betmgm.com/en/games
Date launched: December 4, 2020
PA land-based casino partner: Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
Other online gambling: Sportsbook and poker
BetParx
Website: https://pa.betparx.com
Date launched: July 17, 2019
PA land-based casino partner: Parx Casino
Other online gambling: Sportsbook
BetRivers
Website: https://pa.betrivers.com
Date launched: January 30, 2020
PA land-based casino partner: Rivers Casino, Philadelphia
Other online gambling: Sportsbook
Betway
Website: https://pa.betway.com/live/casino
Date launched: June 28, 2021
PA land-based casino partner: Live! Casino, Philadelphia
Borgata
Website: https://casino.pa.borgataonline.com/en/games
Date launched: February 24, 2021
PA land-based casino partner: Rivers Casino, Philadelphia
Other online gambling: Sportsbook and poker
Caesars
Website: https://pa.caesarsonline.com
Date launched: April 23, 2020
PA land-based casino partner: Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack
Other online gambling: Sportsbook and poker (WSOP.com)
DraftKings
Website: https://casino.draftkings.com
Date launched: April 30, 2020
PA land-based casino partner: Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
Other online gambling: Sportsbook
FanDuel
Website: https://casino.fanduel.com
Date launched: January 24, 2020
PA land-based casino partner: Valley Forge Casino Resort
Other online gambling: Sportsbook
Hollywood
Website: https://pa.hollywoodcasino.com
Date launched: July 18, 2019
PA land-based casino partner: Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
Other online gambling: Sportsbook
Play Live!
Website: https://playlive.com
Date launched: August 14, 2020
PA land-based casino: Live! Casino, Philadelphia
PointsBet
Website: https://pa.pointsbet.com
Date launched: April 13, 2022
PA land-based casino: Hollywood Casino, York
Other online gambling: Sportsbook
PokerStars
Website: https://www.pokerstarsmtairycasino.com
Date launched: November 4, 2019
PA land-based casino: Mount Airy Casino Resort
Other online gambling: Sportsbook (Fox Bet) and poker
Stardust
Website: https://stardustcasino.com
Date launched: April 21, 2021
PA land-based casino: Valley Forge Casino Resort
SugarHouse
Website: https://pa.playsugarhouse.com
Date launched: July 19, 2020
PA land-based casino: Rivers Casino, Philadelphia
Other online gambling: Sportsbook
Unibet
Website: https://pa.unibet.com
Date launched: November 15, 2019
PA land-based casino: Mohegan Sun Pocono
Other online gambling: Sportsbook
Wind Creek
Website: https://play.windcreekcasino.com
Date launched: July 24, 2020
PA land-based casino: Wind Creek Bethlehem Casino
Other online gambling: Sportsbook
PA Online Casinos and How They Work
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is responsible for licensing and regulating all legal online casinos in Pennsylvania. Even if the casino is already operating in another state, as many of the PA online casinos are, a separate license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is necessary. In addition, every PA online casino must be partnered with a currently operating PA land-based casino.
Which online casino(s) you ultimately choose to sign up with is largely a matter of personal preference. But insofar as at least two of the most critical elements are concerned–safety and fairness–there are no wrong choices. For starters, in order to obtain an online casino license, all prospective operators have to shell out an enormous sum of money just to apply. In addition, they, along with any prospective partners, must undergo a rigorous investigation by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board regarding their background and qualifications. If any red flags show up indicating that there might be a problem, the application will be denied or at the very least, a final decision will be delayed.
Furthermore, the involvement of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board does not end there. It continues to monitor each existing gambling operator’s activities closely to make sure it remains in full compliance with state gambling regulations. All PA online casino apps must be approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Licensed PA online casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks also can only offer banking methods and games that the Pennsylvania Gaming Board has approved.
Therefore, you are much better off playing for real money at a licensed PA online casino than taking a chance with an overseas casino, where if the games are rigged or the site absconds with your winnings, you have no legal recourse.
Age and Geographic Location Requirements
The minimum age you need to be to play legally at any Pennsylvania casino–retail, online, or mobile–is 21. The same rule applies to sports betting and poker.
Another important rule specifically relating to online and mobile play concerns your geographic location. You do not necessarily need to be a Pennsylvania resident to sign up with a Pennsylvania online casino or use one of the PA online casino apps. However, you do need to be physically situated in Pennsylvania during the entire time you are playing for real money. All of the Pennsylvania gambling sites have built-in geolocation software that will immediately detect your whereabouts and block your play if you don’t comply with these regulations.
Online Casinos vs. Land-Based Casinos–Why play at Pennsylvania online casinos?
It is easy to see why online casinos have become a big hit everywhere they have been introduced. It is less easy to understand why they are not an option in more US states than they currently are.
But if you have access to the online casinos in Pennsylvania, you don’t have to worry about that. You can play any day of the year at any time it is convenient for you, even when traveling to a brick and mortar casino is difficult or impossible. You can also stop playing whenever you need to or want to and pick up wherever you left off on the same game later, which is usually not an option at a land-based casino.
Another big advantage that most online casinos offer is that just for signing up and making your first deposit, you receive a big welcome bonus. You do not have to be a high roller to qualify. Then, based on your continued play, you will be eligible for more special offers and promotions. If the casino has a player’s rewards program–and the best ones do–you can earn reward credits and tier credits based on your play, which might qualify you for even more benefits like free play and casino comps. Moreover, if the casino provides access to an affiliated sportsbook and/or poker room, a single login with the same account lets you switch back and forth between one platform and another as often as you like, for easy one-stop gambling.
By the way, during the extended period during 2020 when the pandemic forced all Pennsylvania land-based casinos to close, casino players didn’t have to give up their favorite games. All of the online casinos in Pennsylvania stayed open 24/7 as usual.
Why play live dealer games at PA online casinos?
The main thing missing from most online casino games that is an enjoyable integral part of what real casinos offer is social interaction. But that’s why live dealer games were invented. More than any other online casino games, live dealer games help bridge the gap between online gambling and playing in an actual casino. Instead of playing alone, you’re at a virtual table with other players the entire time. A real live dealer spins the wheel or deals the cards in real time, and while you are playing, the live chat option lets you engage in light conversation with the dealer and the other players to your heart’s content.
If you’re a beginner, another big plus that live dealer games offer is that you’re much less likely to have other players criticize you or blame you if you play incorrectly. Usually, you will find the dealer and other players very friendly and happy to help new players learn the ropes and feel comfortable.
How to Start Playing Live Dealer Games at PA Online Casinos
When online casino gambling became an option in Pennsylvania in July 2019, no live dealer games were available anywhere in the state. Live games in Pennsylvania were introduced more than a year later, in October 2020. However, they caught on quickly, and today,15 of the 17 PA online casinos (all except Betway and Wind Creek) offer live dealer games.
If you have never played any live casino games in Pennsylvania, you owe it to yourself to try. Here are the simple instructions you need to follow to get started.
Before you can start playing for real money at any PA online casino, you will need to complete the mandatory registration and verification process. Then, as soon as the casino is satisfied that you are who you say you are and that you are eligible to play, you will be assigned an account.
All of the PA online casinos come with mobile apps, so you can register in either of two ways. Which one you choose is entirely up to you.
Downloading the casino mobile app
Nowadays, more and more casino players are taking advantage of the added convenience of registering, playing, making deposits and withdrawals, and accessing bonuses and promotions, all on the mobile app. This option allows you to play on the go, anytime you want, wherever in Pennsylvania you happen to be. The only requirement is a current version of an iOS or Android mobile device.
If you will be using an Apple iOS smartphone or tablet (iPhone or iPad), in order to locate the correct casino app for your device, you will need to visit the App Store. If your device is the Android variety, unless you are specifically told to download the app directly from the casino, you will need to visit the Google Play Store. In the past, it wasn’t possible to download apps for gambling purposes from Google Play, but that policy is no longer in effect.
Once you have located the appropriate app, follow the directions for downloading and installing it. The process should be very fast and easy. If you run into any problems, it is possible that your device is not up-to-date.
Using the casino website to sign up
Alternatively, instead of downloading the app, you can complete the registration process on the casino web page. Simply enter the URL on the web browser or the name of the casino on the search bar of your computer or mobile device. This will take you directly to the home page of the online casino where you wish to play.
Completing the registration form
The next thing you need to do is click on the tab marked “Register” or “Sign Up” in the upper right-hand corner of the home page. You will see a form asking for the following basic information: your full name, mailing address, email address, mobile phone number, date of birth, last four digits of your Social Security number, and user name and password.
In addition, as of July 2022, all New Jersey online casinos and sportsbooks are required to use more extensive “multi-factor authentication” as a condition for betting real money on the site. Typically, this entails answering a couple of security questions and entering a security code that the casino sends the prospective customer via text or email. Whether or not a similar policy will be enacted at Pennsylvania online casinos remains to be seen.
Make your first deposit.
As soon as your request to play at the online casino for real money is approved, the casino will notify you accordingly, open an account in your name, and invite you to make your first deposit. Some PA online casinos may even offer a small sign-up bonus (usually $20-30) to thank you for registering, even before you make your first deposit. But in any case, it is the first deposit that will trigger a potentially much more generous offer.
Typically, first-time depositors are offered what casinos call a welcome bonus. While the minimum and maximum amounts and other specific terms and conditions at different casinos vary, basically these bonuses all work the same way. As soon as a new player makes his or her first qualifying deposit, the casino will match it with a bonus. Unlike most of the bonuses offered to existing players, the welcome bonus is usually a 100% deposit match (up to the designated maximum), so it is an especially generous offer. However, it does come with wagering requirements, so if you’re contemplating making a big deposit in order to get a big bonus, make sure beforehand that you can afford it.
Which deposit methods are accepted?
PA online casinos allow players to choose the way they want to fund their account from a variety of approved deposit methods. While not every casino offers every deposit method, the following are the deposit options that most PA online casinos offer.
- MasterCard and Visa credit or debit cards.
- PayPal
- Online Banking Transfer
- Play+ card offered by the casino
- PayNearMe cash deposit at 7-Eleven, CVS, or other participating retailers
- Cash deposit at the cashier’s cage of the affiliated PA retail casino
When selecting your preferred method, note that many banks decline credit and debit card transactions intended for gambling purposes. Also, credit and debit cards and PayNearMe cannot be used for withdrawal, and deposits using the last two methods might not be eligible for a bonus.
- Claim your welcome bonus and start playing
- Withdraw your winnings
As with deposits, all PA online casinos offer a variety of options for withdrawals. Minimum and maximum amounts, processing times, and other terms and conditions can vary depending on both the casino and the method.
Unlike deposits, which get credited to your account instantly or nearly instantly, withdrawals invariably take longer. You need to allow sufficient time for both processing your request and transferring the money. However, some withdrawal methods are faster than others. The following are some general guidelines that can help you decide which withdrawal method might be the best choice for you.
- eCheck (ACH): Allow 3-5 business days.
- PayPal: Same as above if the money is being transferred to your bank but available at ATMs in 24-48 hours. Note that PayPal must first be used for the deposit to be able to use it for withdrawals.
- Play+ Prepaid Card: 24-36 hours for processing, then available instantly at ATMs or any place that accepts the Discover card.
- Cash at the casino cage of the affiliated retail casino: Available immediately after approval.
- Bank Wire Transfer: Allow several business days.
- Check by Mail: Can take at least a week, possibly longer.
What live dealer games are available at PA online casinos?
PA live casino games are made possible through the casinos’ partnerships with Evolution Gaming, one of the world’s leading live dealer games software providers. The games are live-streamed from an Evolution Gaming studio directly to the player’s computer or mobile device. Some PA online casinos offer a more robust live dealer platform than others, but the three most popular live dealer games–blackjack, roulette, and baccarat–are always available. The following is a brief description of the different kinds of live casino games you can enjoy playing at online casinos in Pennsylvania.
Blackjack
If you play casino table games, you probably already know that out of all of the table games in the casino, blackjack is by far the most popular. That statement applies regardless of whether you’re playing standard blackjack or live dealer blackjack. That is why you will find many online casinos that offer only one table for each of their other live dealer games will offer a half-dozen or more live dealer blackjack games.
Compared to the best online blackjack games without a live dealer, live dealer blackjack doesn’t have the most favorable rules. For example, it is played with eight decks, and the dealer hits on soft 17. The result is a higher house edge than blackjack games with better rules. But even so, as long as you follow the correct basic strategy, the house edge will still only be about 1%, which is less than you’ll find for any other live dealer game.
Another way that live dealer blackjack could be better for many players is to offer lower table minimums. But that is not likely to happen. In fact, table minimums have gone up since the games first appeared. Most of the live blackjack tables at PA online casinos have a minimum bet of $30 or $50, which is more than many players can afford. But the high minimums don’t seem to be much of a deterrent. The game is as popular as ever.
Infinite Blackjack
If you are new to live dealer blackjack or the high table minimums pose a problem for you, consider playing Infinite Blackjack instead. The name comes from the fact that an infinite or unlimited number of people can play at once. Instead of each player being dealt different cards, the game uses a Common Draw where everyone starts with the same two cards against the same up-card for the dealer. Not only is there never any waiting for seats, but the minimum bet is only $1.
Roulette
Live dealer roulette is another popular game. However, it is usually offered in the form of American Roulette, where both a single and double zero on the wheel raise the house edge to a hefty 5.26%. A better game, if you can find it, is European or French Roulette with only a single zero on the wheel and a 2.7% house edge.
Standard roulette, even when played with a live dealer, can become boring if you play it frequently, so with that in mind, some PA online casinos offer these live dealer variations:
Lightning Roulette
Like Infinite Blackjack, this game also allows an infinite number of players to play at once, and with a minimum bet of only 10 or 20 cents, why not? But the big draw is many extra chances to win because on every spin, 1-5 lucky numbers are “struck by lightning.” Players can win up to 500x their bet.
Auto Roulette or Slingshot Roulette
These games are very fast versions of European Roulette. Because they use real wheels and are not RNG-dependent, they are considered live dealer games even though the wheel is fully automated and no live dealer is present. Both games offer a very wide betting range, but Auto Roulette is specially designed for high rollers. Players can place bets of up to $20K.
Other Live Casino Games
- Baccarat
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em or Casino Hold’em
- Three Card Poker
- Dream Catcher
- Craps
Besides the aforementioned live dealer games a few, PA online casinos have their own exclusive live dealer games, not available anywhere else. For example, Unibet Casino, which is an official sports betting partner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, offers Steelers Blackjack.
DraftKings is another casino where you can find live dealer games that you won’t find elsewhere, including several live dealer games with a game show vibe.
PA Online Casinos FAQs
What is the minimum age to play online casino games for real money in Pennsylvania?
The minimum age to play for real money at any PA online casino or on any PA online casino app is 21.
What live dealer games can I play at PA online casinos?
PA online casino players can choose from a wide variety of live dealer games, including all of the following:
- Blackjack
- Infinite Blackjack
- Roulette
- Baccarat
- Craps
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em or Casino Hold’em
- Three Card Poker
- Dream Catcher
In addition, some online casinos offer even more options, such as special variations of roulette like Lightning Roulette, Auto Roulette, and Slingshot Roulette, along with other innovative games, not available anywhere else.
Is DraftKings Casino and FanDuel Casino available in Pennsylvania?
Yes, Pennsylvania players can play at either or both of these online casinos. You also have full access to their sportsbook and Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) platform.
Can I play at BetMGM Online Casino in Pennsylvania?
Yes. BetMGM Online Casino is available in Pennsylvania, too, as is Borgata Online Casino. Both of these casinos participate in the highly acclaimed nationwide MGM Rewards program. Each of these casinos also offers registered players easy and convenient same account access to online poker and sports betting
Who regulates online casino games in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is responsible for the licensing and regulating of all online casinos in the State of Pennsylvania. It is this agency’s job to ensure that when you sign up with and play at any PA online casino that all of the games give you a fair chance to win and that your account will be fully protected.