need in one place
Pennsylvania
Prescient Pennsylvania pounced on sports wagering as early as possible and consistently ranks among the top states for betting handle.
Our Best Pennsylvania Sports Betting Offers
For those outside of Pennsylvania, you may face restrictions on the offers you see on this page.
About Sports Betting in Pennsylvania
Nobody can accuse Pennsylvania of not being ready for the dawn of nationwide sports betting. A year before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, Pennsylvania's legislature had the presence of mind to legalize that form of wagering pending federal approval.
Due to such prescience, Pennsylvania was able to pounce, launching retail sports wagering in November of 2018 and the online version in May of the following year. In the time since, Pennsylvania has consistently ranked among the leaders in sports betting handle, capitalizing upon a populace that has long had a ravenous appetite for athletic competition of all forms.
Wagering on sports in Pennsylvania is convenient even if you don't own a phone or would simply rather get that action down in person. There are retail sportsbooks galore, be they at casinos, horse tracks, or even shopping malls, where "mini-casinos" have helped fill vacant storefronts that have been ravaged by the rise of e-commerce.
Pennsylvania Sportsbooks
Currently Operating Sportsbooks
Current Sportsbooks
12
Harrah's Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack: 777 Harrah's Blvd., Chester, PA 19013
Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia: 900 Packer Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Live! Casino Pittsburgh: 5260 Lincoln Hwy, Greensburg, PA 15601
Valley Forge Casino Resort: 1160 1st Ave, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Mobile Sportsbook
Mobile Sportsbook
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course: 777 Hollywood Blvd, Grantville, PA 17028
Hollywood Casino at the Meadows: 210 Racetrack Rd, Washington, PA 15301
Hollywood Casino York: 2899 Whiteford Rd, York, PA 17402
.png)
Sports Betting Legalization in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Sports Betting Law Highlights
- 36% tax on sports betting revenue, 34% of which is a state tax and the other 2% taxed by county. The state's share of that revenue goes toward its general fund.
- 21+ age requirement to bet on sports.
- Wagering on in-state college teams is allowed, but prop bets on individual college athletes, regardless of location, are not permitted.
- There's a $10 million initial fee for an operator to obtain a sports betting license in Pennsylvania, with a $250,000 renewal fee every five years thereafter.
- While most retail sportsbooks can be found in commercial casinos, racinos, and off-track betting parlors, a handful are located inside of so-called "mini-casinos," some of which are located in shopping malls around the state.
- There is no betting allowed on player drafts like the NFL draft.
Legalization Timeline
-
Gov. Wolf signs sports betting into law
October, 2017
Anticipating -- or at least hoping for -- a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that would clear the way for sports betting to be offered nationwide, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signs HB 271 into law.
-
First sports wager accepted
November, 2018
After the Supreme Court clears the way for states other than Nevada to authorize sports betting, the sportsbook at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course accepts the state's first legal sports wager.
-
First online sports bet placed
May, 2019
Rush Street Interactive's PlaySugarHouse (since shortened to SugarHouse) launches as Pennsylvania's first mobile sports betting platform and accepts its first online wager. Its sister site under the RSI umbrella, BetRivers, would launch a month later, as would betPARX.
-
All-time handle eclipses $21 billion
May, 2023
Pennsylvania becomes the fifth state to eclipse $21 billion in all-time sports wagering handle, following in the footsteps of Nevada, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.
-
Bovada ceases operations in Pennsylvania
September, 2024
The massive offshore sportsbook Bovada ceases operations in Pennsylvania at the behest of the Pennsylvania Gaming and Control Board (PGCB), pushing more bettors into the legal and regulated market.
FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Pennsylvania?
Sports wagering has been legal in Pennsylvania since 2017, but the state wasn't fully cleared for takeoff until the U.S. Supreme Court repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, thus opening the door for any state to legalize and implement sports betting.
Who can bet on sports in Pennsylvania?
Anyone who's 21 years of age or older can bet on sports in Pennsylvania. Sports betting can be accessed online or at retail sportsbooks, some of which are located within mini-casinos in various shopping malls spread throughout the state.
Who regulates sports betting in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Gaming and Control Board (PGCB) is tasked with supervising sports betting and casino gaming, both of which are legal to play online and in person.
What can I bet on in Pennsylvania?
You can wager on just about any sport in Pennsylvania, including: basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, hockey, golf, UFC/MMA, football, motorsports, Australian Rules Football, bowling, boxing, cricket, cycling, darts, floor ball, handball, jai alai, lacrosse, rugby, snooker, surfing, table tennis, volleyball. Many sportsbook apps include an integrated mobile casino or poker app, since both forms of gaming are legal in Pennsylvania.
What can't I bet on in Pennsylvania?
The PGCB does not allow prop bets to be placed on college players. It also prohibits esports wagering and betting on professional drafts for leagues like the NFL or NBA. But while it bars futures betting on who will win Coach of the Year, it allows betting on awards like Rookie of the Year that are based on athletic achievement.
Is DFS legal in Pennsylvania?
Indeed, it is legal to play daily fantasy sports in Pennsylvania, where you'll find top platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel available.
Is it legal to bet on horse racing in Pennsylvania?
Absolutely. Pennsylvania has off-track betting parlors and racetracks in abundance. In the latter category are three Thoroughbred tracks (Parx, Penn National, and Presque Isle Downs) and three harness tracks (The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, Harrah's Philadelphia, and The Meadows). Horse bettors may also bet on races simulcast from around the world via various advance-deposit wagering platforms.
Have other Questions? Email cservice2@drf.com
Responsible Gambling
21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.