Pennsylvania Betting Laws & Guide

One of the top markets in sports betting, Pennsylvania sports betting has been growing steadily. With a large population, a ton of sports fanatics, and some of the most popular teams nationwide, Pennsylvania draws a lot of betting interest. Check out all of their sportsbooks, promotions, and rules here.

Is sports betting legal in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, sports betting is fully legal and has been since May 2019. As a state, Pennsylvania has a wider selection of sportsbooks than most. Both retail and mobile are available for bettors, and there are very few restrictions on what you can bet on.

What betting sites are legal in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has no shortage of sportsbooks to choose from. Each comes with its pros and cons, but there will be one that fits you best. Compare each one, and look for promos to welcome you to the sportsbook.

BetMGM

One of the biggest names in U.S. sports betting, BetMGM has a lot to offer. They also have partnerships with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates, which helps their brand in Pennsylvania.

$1,000 Risk-Free Bet for all new BetMGM players here

DraftKings

Coming up through daily fantasy sports (DFS), the DraftKings app is renowned for its accessibility. Their sportsbook, DFS, and casino are all available in Pennsylvania.

New DraftKings players get a deposit bonus up to $1,000

FanDuel

Another big name in sports betting FanDuel arrived in Pennsylvania a few months after mobile sports betting was launched. They’ve emerged as one of the premier players in Pennsylvania, partnering with three casinos.

Get your $1,000 No Sweat First Bet by clicking here and joining FanDuel

PointsBet

PointsBet is an Australian sportsbook with a unique betting feature called PointsBetting. They have a deal with Hollywood Casino York, in New York, Pennsylvania.

New PointsBet players get 4 x $200 in free bets when they join here

BetRivers

The major advantage of BetRivers is their incredible rewards program, which is useful for the Rivers Casinos in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. They have an active partnership with the Philadelphia Flyers.

New BetRivers players get up to a $500 free bet

Unibet

This sportsbook site is simple to use, and they have one of the quickest apps on the market. They have the “Unibet Tailgate Zone” outside of Steelers games.

FOX Bet

A deal with the Philadelphia Eagles and Mount Airy Casino helps FOX Bet expand its influence in PA. Not that FOX needs help reaching sports fans considering the size of FOX Sports’ reach, including connectivity with the FOX Bet app.

betPARX

Launching in the summer of 2019, betPARX has stuck around as a trusted name in Pennsylvania sports betting. They have a casino in Bensalem, just outside of Philly.

Betway

Betway consistently has competitive odds across all markets. They have a partnership with the Philadelphia 76ers, which helps them draw in customers.

Barstool

The blog and brand that just keeps growing, Barstool has dipped its toes into gambling too. They have two retail sportsbooks in the state and their app which integrates with the rest of their content seamlessly.

Pennsylvania Sports Betting Rules and Regulations

You must be at least 21 years old to sign-up for a sportsbook. When creating your account, you’ll need to provide:

• Name

• Email

• Date of birth

• SSN

• Phone number

• Address

• Password

Once your account is created, they’ll verify your location. After making a deposit you can bet on things such as:

• Spreads

• Moneylines

• Totals (over/under)

• Futures

• Props

No Betting Collegiate Player Props

In Pennsylvania, you can’t bet on single-game props for a college athlete in any sport, regardless of the school they represent. Futures bets, such as the Heisman, are allowed, but a single-game prop bet is not.

No High School Betting

Pennsylvania is another state that prohibits bettors from placing wagers on high school athletics, whether they be associated with Pennsylvania or any other state. It is expressly and strictly forbidden from being offered by legal sportsbooks.

Best Mobile Sportsbooks available in Pennsylvania

Based on mobile reviews and where they stand out, here’s a ranking of the top sportsbooks available in Pennsylvania.

1. DraftKings: Best app ratings, with best options for major sporting events.

2. FanDuel: Another great app with marquee same-game parlay options.

3. FOX Bet: App is great for users and has excellent football offers.

4. PointsBet: Competitive odds, a smooth app, and the unique PointsBetting option.

5. BetMGM: The widest variety of sports and an easy-to-use interface.

6. BetRivers: The top rewards program along with a wide selection of sports.

7. Unibet: Competitive odds and live streaming help Unibet stand out.

Pennsylvania Sports Betting Promos

FanDuel No Sweat First Bet

FanDuel offers their new customers first bet insurance, up to $1,000. You put down your first bet, and if it loses you get the money back as a free bet.

DraftKings First Deposit Bonus

DraftKings offers a 20% deposit match for their new users. The bonus goes up to $1,000, so any initial deposit of $5,000 or less will be matched.

PointsBet Risk-Free Bets

PointsBet gives new users an option for risk-free bets, that can total up to $2,200. A wager with PointBetting can go up to $1,600 risk-free, while for fixed odds you can bet up to $600 risk-free.

BetRivers Deposit Match

At BetRivers, they will match your first deposit 100%, up to $250. Just sign up, make your deposit, and they’ll double it.

FOXBet Loyalty Bonus

For all users, old or new, FOXBet is offering a 50% deposit bonus if you choose to opt-in to it. After opting in, for every $25 in bets of -200 or greater that you make, they’ll give back $1 of the bonus for up to 90 days.

Barstool 2-for-1

At Barstool, they offer a risk-free bet of up to $1,000 similarly to other sportsbooks but also put money in your account when you register with them. After signing up at Barstool Sportsbook, they will deposit $10 in your account, which is valid towards the initial risk-free bet.

What are the sports to bet on in Pennsylvania?

The following sports can all be bet on at Pennsylvania sportsbooks legally:

• Auto-Racing: Formula One, IndyCar, NASCAR

• Baseball: MLB

• Basketball: NBA, WNBA, International

• Boxing

• College: Basketball, Football

• Football: NFL and CFL

• Golf: PGA, LPGA

• Hockey: NHL, International

• Horse Racing

• Rugby

• Soccer: UEFA Champions League, MLS, Premier League

• Tennis

Pennsylvania Sports Betting Tips

Learning the Lingo

If you encounter a word or bet and don’t know what it means check out a glossary or basics guide so that you know. It’s not wise to make bets on things that you don’t fully grasp the meaning of.

Know Your Wallet

Bettors should always be aware of how much money they can afford to wager, and how their bets have been performing. If you’re struggling with money management, there’s no problem in seeking help.

Be Careful With Favorite Teams

Rooting for your favorite team can become expensive, especially if they’re having a down season. While you may love the Pirates, betting on them to be successful wouldn’t be a winning formula for the better part of 30 years now. If you want to bet on your favorite team, at least make sure to do some research first into their recent performances, especially if you don’t follow closely. Even if you do know the team well, you may discover a stat or trend that may sway your opinion. Betting is all about risk and reward, so the odds and likelihood should come first, even over your heart’s desire.

Pennsylvania Sports Betting Tax Rates

The state of Pennsylvania taxes sports betting winnings at a 3.07% rate.

All money won from sports betting is subject to a 24% tax from the federal government. Further, if you win at least $600 from gambling it must be reported on your taxes. The $600 can be the result of one bet or many smaller ones, the method is insignificant. Losses from sports betting can be deducted as an itemized deduction, but your deducted losses can’t exceed your reported winnings.

Is DraftKings sports betting legal in Pennsylvania?

DraftKings is a legal sportsbook option for bettors in Pennsylvania and has been for several years. Their daily fantasy sports (DFS) and casino are available in Pennsylvania too.

Is FanDuel sports betting legal in Pennsylvania?

Yes, anyone that can legally bet in Pennsylvania can legally bet on sports through the FanDuel sportsbook. They also have their DFS and casino open legally in the state.

Pennsylvania Sports Teams

NFL

• Philadelphia Eagles

• Pittsburgh Steelers

Bet $5, Win $200 in free bets if your money line bet wins on NFL when you join DraftKings

NHL

• Philadelphia Flyers

• Pittsburgh Penguins

MLB

• Philadelphia Phillies

• Pittsburgh Pirates

NBA

• Philadelphia 76ers

MLS

• Philadelphia Union

Colleges

• Penn State Nittany Lions

• Pitt Panthers

• Temple Owls

• Villanova Wildcats

Latest Pennsylvania sports betting news

• July 12, 2022: Penguins fans can rest easy, as Evgeni Malkin signed a four-year contract extension and will rejoin Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby.

• August 30, 2022: The Phillies will look to bounce back from a tough loss after blowing a 7-0 lead to the Diamondbacks.

• September 1, 2022: In the first Backyard Brawl in a decade, Pitt took out their bitter rivals, West Virginia, 38-31 to open their season with a win.

• September 1, 2022: Penn State scores late to edge out Purdue 35-31 and begin their season with a victory.

• September 2, 2022: The Pirates will continue their 10-game homestand with a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays that begins tonight.

• September 3, 2022: Sitting pretty atop the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia Union head to Red Bull Arena to face the New York Red Bulls.

• September 11, 2022: The Steelers traveled to Cincinnati to face their division rivals and reigning AFC champions, the Cincinnati Bengals, They started their 2022-23 season by winning the matchup 23-20 in overtime. The Steelers then lost 17-14 in Week 2 to the New England Patriots at Acrisure Stadium.

• September 11, 2022: The Philadelphia Eagles won their first match of the season in Detroit 38-35 before defeating the Minnesota Vikings 24-7 in Week 2. They are looking to make the playoffs for the second straight season.