PA Sports Betting: Best Legal Pennsylvania Betting Sites

Top 5 PA sports betting sites

While Pennsylvania sports bettors have eleven online sportsbooks to choose from, some sports betting platforms stand out as must-haves for both new gamblers and experienced handicappers. Here are our top five PA sports betting options for bettors:

1. BetMGM PA

Arguably the most famous brand name in sports betting and beyond, BetMGM has taken advantage of its reputation and generated a sportsbook that PA bettors would be wise to peruse.

Users will find that the online sportsbook presents competitive odds and tons of bet types and sports to select from. BetMGM PA has plenty of deposit methods and a stunning platform for mobile and online sports betting. 

Get the full details on BetMGM PA in our BetMGM Review.

• App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.6 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: $1,500 in bonus bets
• Payout speed: 2 days

2. FanDuel PA

An industry-leading online sports betting app, plenty of bet types and promotions, and some exclusive live-streaming partnerships support the operator’s latest welcome bonus. Add in its industry-leading same-game parlay betting experience, and it’s difficult to find a sportsbook option superior to FanDuel PA.

Dive into our FanDuel Sportsbook Review for more information.

• App Store rating: 4.5 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, Get $150 if You Win + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

3. Caesars Sportsbook PA

An official sports betting partner of the Philadelphia Eagles and 76ers, Caesars Sportsbook PA recently revitalized its online product in the state. This means that Pennsylvanians can now access its excellent online sports betting app to claim its huge welcome bonus. An impeccable interface and top-notch customer support make for an exceptional mobile app experience.

Read our Caesars Sportsbook Review for more on the best sportsbook in Pennsylvania.

• App Store rating: 4.6 (iOS), 4.1 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: $1,000 First Bet on Caesars
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

4. bet365 PA

While it lacks the same notoriety as some more prominent U.S. brand names, bet365 is an international operator that has provided exceptional sports betting services to various countries for years. bet365 Pennsylvania offers a great selection of niche betting markets, a fantastic mobile app, and exceptional live streaming and wagering for most sporting events.

Refer to our bet365 Review for more expert analysis.

• App Store rating: 4.7 (iOS), 3.4 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, get $200 + 50 spins
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

5. DraftKings PA

DraftKings provides Pennsylvanians with one of the best online sports betting experiences in the industry, hands down. DraftKings Sportsbook holds its own as our top choice of the best PA sports betting apps in 2024, presenting a polished design and user-friendly interface.

Placing sports bets is simple and smooth via the operator’s site and premier sportsbook app. The numerous sports betting markets, bonuses and promotions, fantasy sports, and zippy payout system keep DraftKings PA firmly locked into the list of the state’s top-five sportsbooks.

Read our DraftKings Sportsbook Review to discover more about DraftKings PA.

• App Store rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.5 (Android)
• Sign-up bonus: Bet $5, Get $200 + $1K Deposit Bonus
• Payout speed: Within 24 hours

Best PA sports betting offers and bonuses

In a competitive market, PA's online sportsbooks need to incentivize free-agent bettors to choose their sports betting platforms. Here are the best Pennsylvania sportsbook bonuses for new users in 2024:

BetMGM - $1,500 in bonus bets

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Use BetMGM bonus code 'CVRBONUS1500' to claim the self-proclaimed "King of Sportsbooks" latest offer. New customers get a first bet offer of up to $1,500 paid back in bonus bets. BetMGM PA will refund your stake up to $1,500 in bonus bets if you lose, in equal denominations of 20% of the total amount of the qualifying bet.

FanDuel - Bet $5, Get $150 if You Win + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass

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FanDuel is dishing out $150 in bonus bets for new Pennsylvania customers. Deposit $5, make a $5 wager on any market, and FanDuel Sportsbook will issue the promos if your bet wins, all without the need for a FanDuel promo code. Bonus bets are valid for seven days (168 hours). The offer, which also gives you a three month free trial to NBA League Pass whether your bet wins or loses, expires on Dec. 22, 2024.

Caesars Sportsbook - $1,000 First Bet on Caesars

$1,000 First Bet on Caesars

Code: COVERSBONUS1000

Claim $1,000

Use Caesars promo code 'COVERSBONUS1000' when you sign up with Caesars Pennsylvania to secure up to a $1,000 bonus bet. If your first real money wager settles as a loss, Caesars Sportsbook will refund your initial stake, up to $1,000, back in a bonus bet. You must place an initial wager within 30 days of activating your account to qualify.

bet365 - Bet $5, get $200 + 50 spins

Bet $5, Get $200 + 50 Spins

Code: COVERS

 Claim $200

Use bet365 bonus code 'COVERS' and place a $5 bet to earn $200 in bonus bets. Make a minimum $10 initial deposit and place a qualifying $5 wager on odds of -500 or greater that settles within 30 days of opening their account to activate this offer. You will also receive 50 spins to use at the bet365 Casino. This offer is valid until Nov. 5, 2024, at 6:59 a.m. ET.

DraftKings - Bet $5, Get $200 + $1K Deposit Bonus

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New DraftKings Sportsbook PA users receive $200 in bonus bets instantly, win or lose, once a qualifying $5 deposit and $5 wager is placed. DraftKings Sportsbook will dish out eight (8) individual $25 bonus bets, and no need to worry about a DraftKings promo code either. Remember, the offer runs through Nov. 17, 2024. You can also access a secondary '20% deposit match up to $1,000' welcome offer, which is valid until Oct. 31, 2024. 

Fanatics Sportsbook - ${bonus/betfanatics-sportsbook/primary/sign_up_bonus_content/us}}

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No Fanatics Sportsbook promo code is required to claim the operator's latest welcome offer —  $1,000 in No Sweat Bets. Make a minimum $5 deposit and place a qualifying $1 wager on a market with -500 odds or longer. If the wager loses, Fanatics Sportsbook will match the first bet placed during each of the first 10 days using the platform, up to $100 in bonus bets, for a total value of $1,000. This offer is available until Dec. 31, 2024. 

BetRivers - $500 Second Chance Bet

$500 Second Chance Bet

Code: COVERSBONUS

 Claim $500

Use our exclusive BetRivers bonus code 'COVERSBONUS' during registration to qualify for its latest welcome promo — up to a $500 Second Chance Bet. Simply make a minimum $10 deposit and place an initial wager of up to $500 on any sports betting market. If you lose, BetRivers will send you a free bet equal to the amount of your losing wager. 

Terms and conditions apply to all bonuses and promotional offers.

Pennsylvania sports betting updates

In October 2017, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf put his signature on an extensive gambling expansion bill that set the table for legal Pennsylvania sports betting. The bill later came into effect after SCOTUS upended the federal ban on single-game betting in May 2018.

This timeline highlights milestones in Pennsylvania’s sports gambling history:

Oct. 15, 2024: Pennsylvania regulators push for an Internet gaming agreement that would allow patrons to play online poker in multiple states.

Oct. 3, 2024: Playtech, bet365 expand iGaming collaboration in Pennsylvania, joining New Jersey as the second state to offer the duo's joint-venture gaming.

Sept. 30, 2024: White Hat Studios partners with Fanatics Casino in Pennsylvania and Michigan. Players in both states can now access White Hat’s table games and slot portfolio.

Aug. 20, 2024: Pennsylvania's operators bash sports bettors in July, reporting $52.7 million in revenue and a 12.7% hold for the month. 

July 22, 2024: bet365 receives final approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and goes fully live in the state.

July 19, 2024: Pennsylvania sports betting handle and revenue rise year-over-year in June, garnering a reported $464.5 million in wagers for the month. 

July 18, 2024: After soft launching, bet365 awaits final approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. 

July 16, 2024: bet365 soft launches in Pennsylvania.

June 21, 2024: Unibet officially leaves Pennsylvania, as the operator has exited the North American sports betting landscape.

June 18, 2024: Pennsylvania's sports betting handle in May rises 19% year-over-year despite a monthly dip. 

May 23, 2024: Pennsylvania earns its lowest sports betting handle of 2024 in April, bringing in $646.1 million in wagers. 

April 23, 2024: NFL reinstates Eagles' Isaiah Rodgers following year-long gambling suspension. 

April 22, 2024: Pennsylvania rebounds in March with a $800 million sports betting handle, which is a 21% increase from February.

March 15, 2024: Four suspects are wanted after an attempted robbery at a FanDuel Sportsbook section of the Valley Forge Casino in Pennsylvania. 

March 12, 2024: Pennsylvania man indicted for defrauding investors in a sports betting fund. Elijah Goshert stole more than $500,000 each from 10 investors over five years. 

Feb. 23, 2024: Pennsylvania's sports betting handle and revenue drops slightly in January. 

Jan. 22, 2024: Pennsylvania's sports betting handle reaches $934.1 million in November, a 22.6% year-over-year increase and the second highest ever monthly total for the state.

Jan. 22, 2024: Fanatics Sportsbook goes live in Pennsylvania following PointsBet migration, marking the 11th U.S. state to welcome the online sports betting operator.

Nov. 14, 2023: ESPN BET goes live with online and mobile sports betting, launching in Pennsylvania and 16 other states.

Nov. 2, 2023: ESPN BET plans to launch on Nov. 14, 2023, with online sports betting going live in 17 U.S. states, including Pennsylvania. 

July 26, 2023: Golden Nugget receives approval to launch its online casino in PA. 

May 18, 2023: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board releases PA's April sports betting handle. Pennsylvania sportsbooks gathered $572.1 million in wagers for the month.

May 1, 2023: The Philadelphia 76ers defeat the Boston Celtics in game one of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals.

April 20, 2023: The Pennsylvania Gaming Board announces that legal PA sportsbooks accepted $723.5 million in total wagers in March.

March 28, 2023: State Rep. Ed Neilson and others introduce House Bill 733 in an effort to legalize esports betting in Pennsylvania.

March 20, 2023: Pennsylvania takes in $599.5 million in bets in February, a 22% drop from the state's January handle.

Feb. 13, 2023: Despite being the betting favorite, the Philadelphia Eagles suffer a 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.

Jan. 9, 2023: bet365 announces it has secured Pennsylvania market access through a deal with Churchill Downs. At the time of this update, bet365 is available in three — New Jersey, Colorado, and Ohio — states. 

Oct. 23, 2022: The Philadelphia Phillies punch their ticket to the World Series, courtesy of Bryce Harper's go-ahead two-run home run.

Oct. 18, 2022: Pennsylvania sports betting action sees a spike in September, with the state taking in $645.2 million in wagers as opposed to August's $363 million.

Oct. 14, 2022: Greenwood Gaming extends its partnership with the Philadelphia 76ers, making betPARX and Parx Casino official partners of the franchise.

Oct. 7, 2022: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) bans DraftKings Reignmakers, a daily fantasy contest that replaces traditional entrance fees with NFTs.

Aug. 17, 2022: Betting at Pennsylvania's sportsbooks continued to slide in July. Sports betting operators took $336.5 million in bets, nearly $60 million less than the previous month.

Aug. 8, 2022: European operator Novibet secures an online sportsbook and iCasino market access deal in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, expecting to launch in 2023.

June 22, 2022: Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin opts to divest his stake in the parent company of numerous pro sports franchises, including the Philadelphia 76ers, with Fanatics soon to launch its sports betting operation.

April 13, 2022: PointsBet debuts its online casino product in PA. The iGaming platform is also available in Michigan, New Jersey, and West Virginia.

Feb. 9, 2022: Chickie's & Pete's Malvern becomes the first establishment in the U.S. to open a race and sportsbook (Parx) in a restaurant and sports bar.

Feb. 7, 2022: PointsBet takes its first bet in PA, kicking off a three-day soft launch in the state. The PA sportsbook expects to be fully operational before Super Bowl 56.

Jan. 20, 2022: PoinstBet will soon offer online sports betting and casino products in Pennsylvania following the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board's decision to award sports wagering and interactive gaming operator licenses.

Jan. 11, 2022: A decision on PointsBet's license to operate in PA is expected next week during Penn National Gaming's hearing with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. PointsBet would be tethered to Penn National's Hollywood Casino York.

Dec. 21, 2021: PA sportsbooks take in approximately $761.6 million in bets in November, while Pennsylvania saw sports betting revenues climb to $84.9 million.

Nov. 17, 2021: Pennsylvania registers its highest sports betting handle to date, $776.3 million for the month of October, eclipsing the previous high from January 2021. 

Nov. 10, 2021: Betway enters into a partnership with the Philadelphia Flyers, including on-ice branding during the team’s home games.

October 2021: Pennsylvania sees its sports betting handle for September hit nearly $580 million, largely due to NFL wagers. 

Sept. 22, 2021: MaximBet secures market access in Pennsylvania through a deal with Caesars Entertainment.

May 2019: SugarHouse becomes the first PA sports betting site to go live.

November 2018: Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course accepts the first legal sports wager in Pennsylvania.

May 2018: The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) is struck down by the Supreme Court, meaning sports betting can be legalized at the state level.

Oct. 30, 2017: Gov. Tom Wolf signs bill H 271 into law, officially legalizing PA sports betting. 

December 2015: Rep. Rob Matzie led a bill that urged the US Congress to lift the federal ban on sports betting.

October 2015: Rep. Rick Kotik introduced a bill that aimed to repeal the ban on Pennsylvania sports betting.

Is sports betting legal in PA?

Yes, legal sports betting is legal in Pennsylvania. Governor Tom Wolf signed HB 271 into law on Oct. 30, 2017. The first retail bet in the state was accepted in November 2018, and today, sports bettors can place wagers either in person or online at 11 Pennsylvania sportsbooks.

What sportsbooks are legal in PA?

There are currently 11 legal PA sportsbooks actively taking bets in Pennsylvania.

Legal sportsbooks in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania sports bettors may place wagers via retail sportsbooks, online betting sites, and mobile apps.

You can place bets in person at retail sportsbooks located within casinos and racetracks, such as Hollywood Casino, Mohegan Sun Pocono, BetRivers Sportsbook, and Penn National.

PA's online sportsbooks accept your picks from anywhere in the state. 

Pennsylvania sports betting sites

Land-based PA sportsbooks

Latest Pennsylvania sports betting news

Who can partake in PA sports betting?

Pennsylvania sports betting law allows bettors to register their sportsbook accounts without having to visit a casino. 

We’ve outlined the pertinent details that you need to know about:

The pros and cons of PA sports betting

The demand for online sportsbooks in PA is evidenced by the fact that 95% of bets are placed online. The convenience of mobile and online betting reduces the need or inclination to visit retail sportsbooks.

The high tax rate for Pennsylvania sportsbooks means some lines and odds are less favorable than in other states. Some bookies will add a little extra juice to a line to make up for the high tax rate for online betting.

Easy online registration at PA betting sites

Plenty of retail sportsbooks

Substantial online promotions and bonuses

Poor odds due to high tax rates

Retail experience less enticing due to online sportsbooks

No NFL Draft or esports betting

How to start betting in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania online sportsbooks make it easy for you to place your first sports wagers. Legal sports betting via online accounts can be set up anywhere, while in-person bets can be placed at retail sportsbooks within casinos and tracks throughout the Keystone State.

What you can't bet on in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania sportsbooks can offer odds on traditional sports played on the field. They are not allowed to post odds for off-field sports-related events like the NFL Draft. Additionally, you cannot place a wager on major awards ceremonies like the Academy Awards.

Pennsylvania sports bettors have used illegal bookies for years. There are differences between legal and illegal sports gambling. The new legal online sports betting sites, apps, and retail sportsbooks are helping to make sports fans feel more comfortable betting than ever before.

NFL Draft

Football's biggest off-season event is currently off-limits in Pennsylvania, as the Keystone State bettors cannot legally bet on the 2024 NFL Draft.

Politics

Political betting is not allowed at any Pennsylvania sportsbook. In fact, this kind of betting isn’t offered anywhere in the United States.

esports

The popularity of esports has not yet translated to legal betting markets. It is not legal to bet on at any Pennsylvania sports betting site or retail sportsbook.

What about college sports?

PA sports betting permits wagering on all college sports that a given sportsbook chooses to promote. College football and basketball are by far the most popular college sports to bet on.

These collegiate teams garner the most attention: Penn State Nittany Lions, Pitt Panthers, and Villanova Wildcats.

PA sports betting handle

Pennsylvania’s sports gambling handle has increased from millions to multi-billions in the wake of legalization. These figures continue to climb as more fans gravitate toward sports gambling. This means sportsbooks are generating more revenue — and so does the state — from taxes on sports betting.

This table illustrates how much money Pennsylvania pulls in from sports betting every year:

Yearly breakdown

Monthly handle

Home team advantage: Pennsylvania sports

It’s tempting to always back your local major league teams, like Joel Embiid's Philadelphia 76ers, but that strategy can quickly backfire and ruin your bankroll. We recommend that you do some preliminary research before laying down action on the hometown. Our how to bet guides are a handy resource for beginner and casual sports bettors.

With college sports betting legalized, don't forget that you can make a parlay bet on your favorite college teams, including Penn State University, Temple University, Villanova University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Pennsylvania. 

NHL

Philadelphia Flyers

Pittsburgh Penguins

New Jersey Devils

Get live NHL odds

NBA

Philadelphia 76ers

Get live NBA odds

NFL

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Get live NFL odds

MLB

Philadelphia Phillies

Pittsburgh Pirates

Get live MLB odds

Although no scheduled fights or Formula One races are coming to the Pennsylvania anytime soon, the best UFC betting sites, boxing betting sites, and F1 betting sites easily allow you to back fighters and drivers you can cheer on as passionately as your hometown teams.

PA sports betting law

Pennsylvania was one of the first states to legalize sports betting. In 2024, there are 11 betting apps accepting wagers.

Here's a brief look at legal PA sports betting:

• The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board regulates all online and retail sports betting in PA.
  
  
• You must be at least 21 years old to bet on sports in Pennsylvania.
  
  
• There are 11 legal sports betting sites operating in PA.
  
  
• Sports betting revenue is taxed at a rate of 36% in PA. A 0.25% federal excise tax is also applied to total sports betting handles.
  
  
• Betting on politics, esports, or amateur athletes under the age of 18 is prohibited.
  
  
• College sports betting (in-state included) is allowed in PA.

Other types of gambling

Pennsylvania offers traditional casino gambling at PA online casinos, in person at land-based casinos, and at some taverns throughout the state.

Pennsylvania sports betting summary

Pennsylvania has been a major player since the early days of legal sports betting in the U.S. It remains one of the few states where you can also play online poker.

Our Pennsylvania quick facts table below has all the brass tacks:

Responsible gaming in Pennsylvania

Casino gambling is not new to Pennsylvania. The state has had plenty of time to come up with programs to address players who get too caught up in gambling. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has a website dedicated to responsible gaming.

The state is a member of the National Council Of Problem Gambling. Like all states with legal gambling, anyone with a problem can call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Legal U.S. sports betting markets

The state-by-state sports betting legislation enabled by SCOTUS has already produced several other legal markets in addition to Pennsylvania. These U.S. jurisdictions have now legalized sports gambling:

Recent legal U.S. sports betting launches

North Carolina marked its official entry into the legal sports betting industry on March 11, 2024. North Carolina sports betting is currently available for registration with top operators like FanDuel, bet365, ESPN BET, and Fanatics Sportsbook.

The legal launch of sports betting in Vermont arrived on Jan. 11, 2024, with FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics Sportsbook chosen as the inaugural platforms for Vermont sports betting.

Online Maine sports betting arrived on Nov. 3, 2023. We expect legal retail options to be available soon. 

Legal Kentucky sports betting launched on Sept. 7, 2023, with the arrival of retail wagering. Online sports betting became available to Bluegrass State bettors in Sept. 28, 2023. 

Potential legal U.S. sports betting markets

There are still numerous states looking to legalize and we're constantly tracking states that allow sports betting.

The following regions may potentially offer online sportsbooks and legal sports gambling in the near future:

PA sports betting history

Legal sports betting arrived in PA six months after the Supreme Court of the United States lifted the nationwide ban on event wagering.

In 2024, Pennsylvanians can also submit their picks at over a dozen online and brick-and-mortar sportsbooks. 

2023: bet365 gains PA market access in January via a partnership with Churchill Downs. 

A bill to legalize esports betting, HB 733, is introduced in March.

2022: PointsBet launches its online sportsbook and casino in Pennsylvania, while Chickie's & Pete's Malvern becomes the first restaurant and sports bar to open a race and sportsbook — Parx Race and Sportsbook.

2021: Pennsylvania takes in over $6.5 billion in sports betting handle in the 12 months ending December 2021.

2020: Barstool Sportsbook, Betfred Sports, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook launch mobile betting apps in PA. Pennsylvania more than doubles its 2019 sports betting handle, generating over $3.5 billion in total wagers in 2020.

2019: PlaySugarHouse launches its Pennsylvania online sportsbook. The operator takes PA's first legal online bet in May. BetRivers, FanDuel, FOX Bet, DraftKings, Parx (now betPARX), and Unibet launch online operations later in the year. TwinSpires, now closed in PA, also goes live.

2018: The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) falls as the Supreme Court removes the federal ban on sports betting. In November, Hollywood Casino accepts the first legal wager in Pennsylvania.

2017: Gov. Tom Wolf signs House Bill 271 into law on Oct. 30, legalizing online and retail sports betting in PA.

List of Pennsylvania resources

Visit these helpful PA sports betting online resources to keep tabs on everything sports gambling in Pennsylvania:

• Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board: Regulating body in Pennsylvania
  
  
• Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania: Help and support for problem gamblers in PA
  
  
• House Bill 271: 2017 sports betting bill signed by Gov. Tom Wolf
  
  
• PA sports betting rules: What you can bet on in Pennsylvania
  
  
• List of PA sports gaming licensees: Legal sportsbook operators in PA

Pennsylvania sports betting conclusion

There has been an absolute explosion in Pennsylvania sports betting, fueled primarily by online sportsbooks. Bettors can enjoy all the excitement of college sports, poker, and online casino sites in the Keystone State. 

One key drawback of Pennsylvania sportsbooks is the high tax rates which often lead to less favorable odds compared to other states. Nevertheless, Pennsylvania betting sites continue to see steady growth, and we expect more to launch in the near future.