Online Casinos PA

The Legality of Online Gambling in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is one of the largest states in the United States with legal real money gambling. In fact, the state has the highest-grossing market in March 2022. So players should know they’re in for a great treat. Whether you love playing table games, online slots, or live dealer games, PA online casinos have hundreds of them available for real money wagering.

The history of gambling in Pennsylvania dates back to 1959 when the Keystone state legalized horse racing. Despite having a short gambling history, it has the second-largest gambling market in the state. According to the state’s regulation, almost all gambling forms are legal – you can wager on casino games, lottery, bingo, horse racing, poker, and even online gambling.

However, gambling in the state appeared in the spotlight after the legalization of slot machines in 2004, thanks to the Racehorse Development & Gaming Act. This gave birth to the first casino that opened under the new Pennsylvania gambling laws – the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. This was followed by the legalization of table games in 2010.

The state’s attempt to legalize online casino gambling in 2013 failed. More attempts were made after that but were only successful in 2017 when bill HB 271 was accepted into the PA gambling laws, and online casino gambling became legal.

PA Gambling Commission

The PA Gambling Commission or Pennsylvania Gaming Controlling Board is a government-owned body of the Commonwealth of PA. The board was established in 2004 after the Racehorse Development and Gambling Act was passed. The board’s responsibility is to supervise slot machine testing and enforce laws regarding legal gambling ages, online wagering, casino regulation, and responsible gambling.

However, the PA Gambling Commission was not tasked with overseeing the lottery and other nonprofit gambling activities.

The Legal Pennsylvania Gaming Age

There are several forms of gambling in the state, and not all of them have the same age restriction. If you want to participate in casino games, including poker, sports betting, daily fantasy sports, you must be at least 21 years of age. On the other hand, games like bingo, online casino wagering, horse betting, and lottery come with an age restriction of 18 years.

Online Gambling in Pennsylvania

As mentioned earlier, the attempt to legalize online gambling started in 2013 with Senator Tina Davis. But it wasn’t that serious until 2015. In 2015, the House Gaming Oversight Committee chairman, representative John Payne, led the iGaming legalization movement. He organized several hearings and drafted the bill HB 649. In addition, the state has made moves to expand iGaming through the bill HB 900.

Among the expansion measures the state discussed include the following:

Regulating and legalizing skill-based games;

Including slot machines in off-track terminals;

Eliminating some restrictions on Cat 3 license holders.

Getting Started at PA Online Casinos

It’s easy to start wagering at any PA online casino. The first thing you need to do is choose a reliable casino and visit the site to register. Follow the below steps to start your PA online casino.

Step 1 – Create your casino account

The first step to start betting at PA online casinos is to create an account. However, players should ensure the casino is reliable before registering. Start by clicking the Join Now or Register button to fill out the registration form. Here, you must provide details, such as your name, email address, date of birth, contact address, phone number, etc.

Once you’re done, the casino sends a link to your email address. Click the link to verify your account, and you can start wagering for free.

Step 2 – Fund your casino account

When you first open your account, you can only have access to free demo games. However, you need to fund your account to start wagering for real money. To do that, visit the cashier area and select your favorite payment options. The best PA online casinos feature popular and convenient banking options that ensure an easy transaction.

After that, enter your payment details and the amount you want to deposit. Click submit, and the fund will reflect in your account instantly. Don’t forget to include the promo code (if needed) to avoid missing out on a generous welcome bonus offer.

Step 3 – Choose a game

Once you have funds in your account, you can visit the lobby and choose your favorite game to wager for real money.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options

Most online casinos in Pennsylvania provide access to a wide range of payment options that ensure fast and secure transactions. Deposit options available at the site include:

• PayPal
• ACH
• Check
• Skrill
• Credit cards
• Online banking and bank transfer
• PayNearMe
• Play+
• Debit cards

Most PA gambling sites have limited banking options when players want to withdraw their winning. Popular withdrawal options include:

• ACH / eCheck
• PayPal
• Check

Before registering at an online casino, check the banking options available. Additionally, you should check the minimum deposit each casino allows to know how to plan your betting budget.

More often than not, deposits are processed instantly, except in rare cases where casinos need to verify the transactions. However, the withdrawal processing time depends on the payment options. While withdrawals via e-wallets like Skrill and PayPal are processed within hours, other options can take three days to process.

How to Withdraw Your Winnings at PA Online Casinos

When you play and win, you should be able to cash out without stress. The withdrawal process is easy. First, locate the cashier section and select from the available options. After that, provide your details and how much you want to withdraw. Click the submit button to complete the withdrawal process.

Top PA Online Casino Apps

There’s no denying that most people in the world are always on their mobile phones, regardless of where they are. This means mobile gambling is a most for all pa online casinos. While most PA casino sites are available on the web, some have a dedicated mobile app downloadable on Android and iOS operating systems.

Initially, Android users couldn’t download gambling apps directly from Google Store, but this changed with the policy enacted on March 1, 2021. However, approval of casino apps on the Google Store takes time. So if you can’t find a casino app on Android Store, check the website for the app.

iOS users also faced some issues when Apple requested that all iOS apps should be developed on the Native iOS platform rather than HTML5. This pushed some PA casinos to design their native iOS app.

To sum it all up, some casinos only offer iOS apps, some have Android apps, and some offer apps for both platforms.

The mobile app offers the same features as the web-based version of the gambling site. However, the mobile version sometimes has fewer games than the web-based version. As with every product, some PA sites are better than others. Some top PA online casinos offering the best mobile gaming experience include BetMGM, Barstool Casino, Unibet, FanDuel, and DraftKings Casino.

Best PA Gambling Sites with Sportsbook

Sports betting is gaining more popularity in PA. Interestingly, most of the online casinos in PA have a sportsbook section where players can wager on their favorite sports events. You can bet on football, tennis, basketball, baseball, cycling, table tennis, dart, boxing, ice hockey, and snooker. The best PA gambling sites that offer sports betting are Unibet, BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Betway.

Best PA Gambling Sites with Sportsbook

Sports betting is gaining more popularity in PA. Interestingly, most of the online casinos in PA have a sportsbook section where players can wager on their favorite sports events. You can bet on football, tennis, basketball, baseball, cycling, table tennis, dart, boxing, ice hockey, and snooker. The best PA gambling sites that offer sports betting are Unibet, BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Betway.

Pennsylvania Social Casinos

For Pennsylvania residents that want to wager casino games for free, the top social casinos in the state have everything you need to enjoy a great experience. Though you can’t win real money at social casinos, it does get you familiar with how the real gambling world works.

Players who’re wagering real money games can also find social casinos helpful. The wide range of free casino games can help you explore new games without spending your money. With that, you can easily choose games that are your favorite. Games available at social casinos include blackjack, roulette, online slots, and live dealer games.

Types of PA Real Money Casino Games

Like any online casino, PA online gambling site has a wide selection of casino games, including table games, slot machines, online poker options, and live dealer games. While the choice might not be like other casinos, most PA casinos offer access to more than 100 game titles. Below are some of the options available.

Slots

These are the most popular online casino games that you’ll find at any casino online. They form the more significant part of the casino lobby. Slot games are easy to play, and you don’t need any technical skills to start wagering. A slot machine has rotating reels and symbols that land on them. After you spin, the reels stop, and you can win based on the game’s winning pattern.

Most online slots feature bonus games and other features that offer players a higher chance of winning. Slot machines can come with various themes, pay-lines, storylines, and bonus offers. They also come with different Return to Players percentages. RTP is a theoretical factor determining the average amount a slot is expected to return to players in the long run.

This is a factor that players should consider when choosing a slot to play. While RTP doesn’t guarantee a 100% win, it offers a higher chance of landing winning symbols. Furthermore, different slots are available, such as classic slots, progressive jackpot slots, 5-reel slots, 6-reel slots, 7-reel slots, video slots, and 3D slots.

Popular slot titles available at Pennsylvania casinos include Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, Blood Suckers II, Divine Fortune, Cleopatra, African Diamond, and many others.

Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most popular table games available at PA casinos online. The game comes with a low house edge, which is one of the reasons for its popularity. Besides that, the game is classified as both a skilled and chance-based game.

In blackjack, the players aim to beat the dealer by getting a higher hand without going over 21. If you go over 21, you bust (you lose your bet). Blackjack comes in different variations, so we advise PA players to get used to them and their rules before getting started.

Some popular options include Atlantic City Blackjack, European Blackjack, Double Exposure Blackjack, Single Deck Blackjack, American Blackjack, Vegas Strip Blackjack, Blackjack Multi-Hand, etc.

Roulette

Roulette is another top table game option on PA online gambling site. Unlike blackjack, roulette is entirely a game of chance. In roulette, the dealer spins the wheel and throws in a small ball. You win if the ball lands on your chosen; otherwise, you lose.

However, there are some strategies you can use to increase your winning chances. For instance, players can stick to the outside or even money bet. Also, you can consider using betting systems like Martingale and Reverse Martingale. Fibonnaci, D’Alembert and many more.

Notably, players should implement a good money management strategy to help monitor their bankrolls. Like blackjack, roulette also has different varieties, such as European Roulette, American Roulette, Auto Roulette, Multi-Wheel Roulette, etc.

Video Poker

Video poker is another top online casino game in PA casinos online. The game creates a perfect simulation of the real-life five-card draw poker hand. Here, you’ll receive five cards; then, you can hold the cards you want, discard the ones you don’t need, and then redraws new ones. The game aims to develop a five-card hand that beats the dealer’s hand. However, the hands that qualify to make a win differ depending on your game. Top video poker titles include Deuces and Joker Poker, Aces and Eights, Loose Deuces, and Bonus Deuces Wild Poker.

Live Dealer Games

Live dealer casino games offer players a real-world gambling experience. Players can wager with real dealers and also chat with other players. The casino broadcasts these games in real-time across all PA gambling sites.

Players can access different kinds of live dealer casino games at their favorite PA site.

• Live Dealer Roulette
• Live Dealer Blackjack
• Live Dealer Casino Hold’em
• Live Dealer Three-Card Poker
• Live Dealer Baccarat
• Live Dealer Ultimate Texas Hold’em

Types Of Casino Bonuses

Casino gambling bonuses are among the factors players consider before joining an online casino. This is one of the benefits online casinos have over land-based casinos. The bonuses vary from casino to casino; however, the following offers are common among most PA casinos.

Welcome bonus

This is one of the most common bonus offers among Pennsylvania online casinos. Most casinos use this offer to lure new players to join their sites. The welcome bonus offer allows players to try out the casino games without much risk. It can come as a no deposit or deposit offer. Some online casinos would even spread the bonus across the first three or four deposits.

No deposit bonus

As the name suggests, a no deposit bonus doesn’t require you to deposit at an online casino before claiming them. Once you register at the site, you can claim the offer. This casino bonus is highly recommended for new PA residents who are just starting their iGaming journey.

This bonus can come as bonus funds or free spins. However, players should keep in mind these bonuses come with strict wagering requirements.

Deposit bonus

You need a deposit to claim the offer. It’s usually a percentage of the amount you deposit. For example, a PA casino can offer a 100% match deposit bonus of up to $500.

When you deposit $100, the casino rewards you with an additional $100 to play with. A deposit bonus can be garnished with free spins that let you spin the reels of certain slot games for free.

Free spins

These are freebies that allow players to enjoy slot games for free. However, free spins are restricted to a specific slot or group of slot games. So you should check the eligible games before you get started.

Loyalty and Reward Program

Some PA online gambling sites have a loyalty or reward program for regular and loyal players. The program reward players with bonus cash or comp points, which players can convert to cash later. In some cases, you can even get special perks such as free spins, monthly cashback or even a dedicated account manager.

PA Promo Codes

Casino bonuses sometimes require players to supply bonus codes before claiming them. Players should enter the right code to the specified place to avoid missing out on the offer. In most cases, you’ll find these codes under each bonus or on the same page. You can also see them on our page for casino reviews.

Casino Bonuses Terms and Conditions

Aside from promo codes, some other terms and conditions must be fulfilled to get the most out of the bonuses. The most important is the wagering condition – the number of times you need to wager a bonus fund before converting it to withdrawable cash.

For instance, if a PA casino offers a $100 bonus with a 40x wagering requirement, you need to play through the $100 bonus fund 40 times to get $4,000 before you can withdraw your winning. We recommend players to go for bonuses with a low wagering requirement, between 1x and 35x.

Online Casino Tax Rates in Pennsylvania

One of the reasons for the delay in launching casinos in PA is its high tax rates. Online slot casinos PA are expected to pay 54%, leaving a small margin for the operators.

Online gambling sites in Pennsylvania are taxed at the following rate:

• Daily fantasy – 15%
• Sportsbook betting – 36%
• Online slots – 54%
• Online poker – 16%
• Table games – 16%

Making A Casino Complaint In Pennsylvania

For the most part, gambling services at casinos in PA run smoothly, and players rarely need to lay a complaint. But if you do have a complaint, the process is simple. First, you need to send the complaint to the casino and give them time to respond. If there’s still no solution to the issue, you can escalate your complaint to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. If you want to create a dispute, reach out to [email protected].

Frequently asked questions