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1 year ago

PENNSYLVANIA SPORTS BETTING: BEST SPORTSBOOKS AND PROMO OFFERS

Sportsgrid-Staff

Sportsgrid-Staff

Outside of Nevada, sports betting was illegal across the United States before 2018. That is the year the US Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), paving the way for each state to decide its own fate when it came to sports gambling.

Reading the legislative tea leaves beginning in 2017, Pennsylvania politicians began drafting bills to get sports betting off the ground. Starting with Act 42, PA legislators began laying the framework for new casinos and online gaming, with the hope it would go into action once PASPA got struck down. Sure enough, six months after PASPA was overturned, in November 2018 the first sports wager in PA was placed at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

Since then, Pennsylvania sports betting has shown known signs of slowing down, as the state has embraced online gambling. In addition to sports betting, Pennsylvania is one of the only states in the country to have casino and sports online gambling, with more than half a dozen online casinos available. 

To oversee and regulate the online gambling industry in the state, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) expanded its services and now ensures all operators adhere to strict standards around fairness, security, and most importantly, gaming responsibility. 

Fast forward to August 2024, and there are a dozen legal PA sports betting sites including Bet365 Sportsbook, BetMGM Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook, BetRivers Sportsbook, Fanatics Sportsbook. In this article, we’ll cover PA sports betting, looking at the best sportsbooks and promo offers currently available. Be sure to also check out the Sportsgrid pieces on Pennsylvania Sports Betting Apps and Pennsylvania Promo/Bonus Pages. 

List of Online Sports Betting sites in PA

We will now dive into the comprehensive list of online sports betting sites in PA, outlining the best places to bet on sports in the state. Also noted will be the best promotional offer available. Each of the online sports betting sites in PA also has a free mobile sports betting app, which is available for download in both the Google Play and Apple App stores. 

This list is designed to give you insights into the best features of each, helping you to choose the best sportsbook available to meet your specific needs. Each offers a generous welcome offer, intuitive interfaces, and a variety of betting markets and bet types for you to use. 

 Top-Rated Pennsylvania Sportsbook Sites 

We’ll now take a deeper look into the top-ranked sports betting sites in PA, laying out the top features of each to help you as a PA sports bettor make the most informed decision when it comes to choosing the best site(s) based on your specific needs. 

Bet365 Sportsbook in PA

Partnered with Presque Isle Downs & Casino to provide sports betting across PA, bet365 Sportsbook launched in PA in 2024 and has quickly become a favorite for bettors across the state. The United Kingdom-based online gambling operator made their entry into the US markets in 2019 and grabbed a foothold as a favorite for sports bettors looking to bet into international markets. 

Bet356 also boasts an online casino in PA, allowing users to quickly switch between the two platforms seamlessly. With one of the best parlay builders of any online sportsbook, bet365 keeps bettors coming back for more with their strong product and recurring promotions. One of their most coveted features is their early payout offers, which gives bettors their winnings before a bet settles if they take a commanding lead. 

BetMGM Sportsbook in PA

Launched in 2020, just one year after sports betting went live in Pennsylvania, BetMGM Sportsbook in PA has a local partnership with Hollywood Casino in the state. Known for its easy parlay betting and top-rated iPhone app, BetMGM Sportsbook is one of the best sportsbooks in PA. 

Drawing on decades of experience in the casino industry, BetMGM Sportsbook in PA also boasts one of the best rewards programs in the state in MGM Rewards. Another area in which BetMGM Sportsbook in PA excels is their live betting, which they offer for a plethora of sports betting markets in the state. 

BetRivers Sportsbook in PA

A Pennsylvania original, BetRivers calls Pittsburgh its home thanks to its partnership with the Pittsburgh-based Rivers Casino located directly next to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steeles stadiums on the North Shore. Thanks to their partnership with the professional sports teams in the area, BetRivers Sportsbook in PA offers live streaming to select markets and teams. 

Launching in 2019 just as sports betting was going live in PA, BetRivers Sportsbook in PA offers strong bonuses as well as an award-winning loyalty program called iRush Rewards. Also offering an online casino in PA, BetRivers has become known for its strong live betting platforms and complete package of iGaming offerings. While they have a limited national reach, BetRivers Sportsbook excels in PA as fans have become loyal to their homegrown brand, especially in the Western part of the state. 

FanDuel Sportsbook in PA

FanDuel Sportsbook in PA was one of the first online gaming operators to go live in the state following the overturning of PASPA in 2019, making their launch early that year. Partnered with Valley Forge Casino, FanDuel Sportsbook in PA has been a favorite of online gamblers in the Keystone state for nearly half a decade. 

Prior to going live with online gambling, FanDuel had a grip on the PA market with their Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) offering in PA since launching in 2009. Also with an online casino in the Keystone State, FanDuel offers gamblers in PA the most comprehensive iGaming experience of any operator in the state. With one of the highest-rated online sports betting apps in the Google Play and Apple App stores, FanDuel Sportsbook in PA leaves no stone unturned as one of the best sports betting sites in the state. 

DraftKings Sportsbook in PA

Seemingly always in lockstep with their biggest rival, FanDuel, DraftKings Sportsbook went live in PA in early 2019. Located in Washington, PA, The Meadows is the official land-based partner of DraftKings Sportsbook PA and has been since the operator brought their services to the Keystone State. 

Much like FanDuel, DraftKings has had a presence in PA since 2009 thanks to the success of their DFS app. A unique feature of DraftKings, customers can seamlessly bounce between their DFS, sportsbook, and online casino platforms all with the same account. The originator of the Same Game Parlay, DraftKings Sportsbook is one of the most popular online sportsbooks in the country thanks to its unique offerings and easy-to-use platforms. 

For fans of betting pools, DraftKings Sportsbook in PA offers free pools every day, and their betting market offerings are unmatched. 

Caesars Sportsbook in PA

Launching in the Keystone State in 2022, Caesars Sportsbook in PA is the best sportsbook in the state when it comes to NFL betting. Offering NFL live streaming in most PA markets, Caesars Sportsbook has become a favorite for football bettors and fans of both the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers. 

From the start, Caesars Sportsbook in PA has had a partnership with Harrah’s Philadelphia, offering its services in both the sports betting and casino industry in PA. With massive odds boosts for recurring customers in addition to a generous welcome offer for new players, Caesars Sportsbook PA offers some of the best promotions in the state. Loyal customers to Caesars can also ascend the Caesars Rewards tiers the more they play at the site. 

Fanatics Sportsbook in PA

In 2024, Fanatics Sportsbook completed the purchase of Points Bet Sportsbook, and the presence of their operations has only become more visible in the time since. Partnered with Hollywood Casino in York, in Central PA, Fanatics Sportsbook in PA offers live NFL streaming thanks to their partnership with the league. 

The sports merchandise company has quickly made it apparent that it belongs in the sports betting space, offering some of the most widely available Same Game Parlay offerings of any sportsbook in the state. Fans of loyalty programs will be happy to know that points accrued on Fanatics Sportsbook in PA can be used to purchase apparel of their favorite teams, including the jerseys of PA sports teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers and Pittsburgh Penguins. 

ESPN Bet Sportsbook in PA

PENN National transferred their sports betting licenses from Barstool Sportsbook to ESPN Bet in 2023, completing a transition that saw Barstool leave the sports betting market and sports goliath ESPN enter it. Partnered with Hollywood Casino at Penn National, ESPN Bet Sportsbook in PA also has a physical presence at the Meadows Casino in Washington, PA. 

With the power of ESPN behind them, ESPN Sportsbook in PA offers one of the most robust menus of promotional offers in the state. Still getting its footing in the sports betting space, ESPN Bet Sportsbook PA lacks the wide range of markets some of its competition offers, but that is constantly evolving as they get closer each month they’re online. 

Legality of Sports Betting in Pennsylvania?

As one of the most mature and regulated sports betting markets in the United States, sports betting was legalized in 2017 as part of a general gambling expansion bill in the state. Immediately following the overturn of PASPA in May 2018, the first brick-and-mortar sportsbooks launched in the state in late 2018, with online and mobile sports betting launching in May 2019. 

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) was tasked with overseeing all sports betting activity in the state. Serving as the regulation agent for all iGaming operators in the state, the PGCB makes sure that strict guidelines are maintained, ensuring fair play, responsible gaming, security, and overseeing the tax revenue that flows in from sports betting activity.  

The PGCB is also responsible for handing out licenses to sports betting operators, making sure they meet the standards and comply with fair gaming policies. The legality of sports betting in Pennsylvania also means that all bettors are at least 21 years of age, and for mobile betting, are physically located inside PA borders. 

In terms of tax revenue, Pennsylvania imposes a 36% tax rate on all sports betting revenue, with 34% being a state tax rate and 2% going to a local share assessment. With one of the highest sports betting tax rates in the country, the influx of cash goes to help fund state-backed projects and contribute to the state’s general fund. 

Legal & Authorized Sportsbooks in Pennsylvania

We here at SportsGrid have you covered with all of the details of the legal and authorized sportsbooks in Pennsylvania. Below, we will cover each of the legal online sportsbooks in PA, and all of the details you need to be aware of. 

Sportsbook 

Mobile App 

Year Licensed 

Sportsbook Provider 

Bonus Bets 

Welcome Bonus 

Claim it!

Bet365 Sportsbook 

Android / iOS  

2023 

Bet365 Group Ltd. 

Yes 

Bet $5, Get $200

Claim it here!

BetMGM Sportsbook 

Android / iOS  

2018 

Entain & MGM Resorts 

Yes 

Up To $1,500 Back In Bonus Bets 

Claim it here!

DraftKings Sportsbook 

Android / iOS  

2019 

DraftKings Inc. 

Yes 

Bet $5, Win $200 in Bonus Bets 

Claim it here!

FanDuel Sportsbook 

Android / iOS  

2019 

Flutter Entertainment 

Yes 

Bet $5, Win $300 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins

Claim it here!

Caesars Sportsbook 

Android / iOS  

2018 

Caesars Entertainment 

Yes 

$1,000 First Bet on Caesars 

Claim it here!

BetRivers Sportsbook 

Android / iOS  

2019 

Rush Street Interactive 

Yes 

Up to a $500 Second Chance Bet 

 

Fanatics Sportsbook 

Android / iOS  

2024 

Fanatics Betting and Gaming 

Yes 

Get up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets 

Claim it here!

Betfred Sportsbook 

Android / iOS  

2020 

Betfred USA Sports 

Yes 

Up to $105 in bonus bets 

 

ESPN Bet Sportsbook 

Android / iOS  

2024 

Penn Entertainment 

Yes 

Up to $1,500 in bonuses 

 

betPARX Sportsbook 

Android / iOS  

2019 

Greenwood Gaming & Entertainment 

Yes 

Bet $10, win a prize 

 

PlaySugarHouse 

Android / iOS 

2019 

Rush Street Interactive 

Yes 

Second chance bet up to $500 

 

How to use the mobile to place a bet in Pennsylvania

With nearly a dozen different online sports betting apps in PA, there is no shortage of options to choose from. If it is your first time, learning how to use the mobile to place a bet in Pennsylvania is a breeze, as we have you covered with a step-by-step guide below. 

  1. Download the Sportsbook App: Using the link(s) noted in this SportsGrid exclusive, download the sportsbook app of your choice to get started in the process. 
  2. Create an Account: Once the app is downloaded, look for the “Register” or “Sign Up” button to start the signup process. Enter the requested personal info such as first and last name, email address, and username to get started.
  3. Claim Your Welcome Bonus: All noted above, claim the welcome bonus from the sportsbook app to get a headstart with the bonus bets offered. 
  4. Make a Deposit: Typically with a minimum of either $5 or $10, making your initial deposit. Keep in mind any terms in the welcome offer you accept. 
  5. Place a Bet: With dozens upon dozens of available betting markets in PA, more on that below, find and place your initial bet. 

Available Betting Markets in PA

Every state that offers sports betting has different sports and markets that are and are not supported by state legislation. Luckily for PA sports bettors, the state has some of the most friendly laws in the country when it comes to legal markets. Let’s take a comprehensive look at what is (and isn’t offered). 

Legal

Major Sports Markets

NFL (National Football League)

  • Moneyline
  • Point Spread
  • Over/Under (Totals)
  • Player Props (i.e., rushing yards, touchdowns)
  • Team Props (i.e., total team points, INTs)
  • Futures (i.e., Super Bowl MVP, Rookie of the Year)
  • Live Betting 

NBA (National Basketball Association)

  • Moneyline
  • Point Spread
  • Over/Under (Totals)
  • Player Props (i.e., rebounds, points)
  • Team Props (i.e., team total points, assists)
  • Futures (i.e., NBA Championship, Defensive Player of the Year)
  • Live Betting 

MLB (Major League Baseball)

  • Moneyline
  • Run Line (similar to point spread)
  • Over/Under (Totals)
  • Player Props (i.e., bases, strikeouts)
  • Team Props (i.e., total runs, hits)
  • Futures (i.e., National League Championship Series winner, Cy Young Award)
  • Live Betting 

NHL (National Hockey League)

  • Moneyline
  • Puck Line (similar to point spread)
  • Over/Under (Totals)
  • Player Props (i.e., goals, assists)
  • Team Props (i.e., total saves, team goals)
  • Futures (i.e., Stanley Cup MVP, Eastern Conference winner)
  • Live Betting 

NCAA Football

  • Moneyline
  • Point Spread
  • Over/Under (Totals)
  • Futures (i.e., Conference Winners, Heisman Trophy)
  • Live Betting 

NCAA Basketball

  • Moneyline
  • Point Spread
  • Over/Under (Totals)
  • Futures (i.e., Big East winner)
  • Live Betting 
Other Popular Sports Markets

Soccer

  • Moneyline (3-way betting)
  • Over/Under (Goals)
  • Both Teams to Score
  • Exact Correct Score
  • Player Props (i.e., goals, assists)
  • Team Props (i.e., total yellow, corners)
  • Futures (i.e., league winner, top scorer in tournament)
  • Live Betting 

Tennis

  • Moneyline
  • Set Betting (correct score in sets)
  • Over/Under (Games in a match)
  • Player Props (i.e., aces, points)
  • Futures (i.e., Wimbledon  winner)
  • Live Betting 

Golf

  • Tournament Winner
  • Top 5/10/20 Finish
  • Matchup Betting (head-to-head)
  • First Round Leader
  • Props (i.e., total strokes total, eagle)
  • Futures (i.e., Masters winner)
  • Live Betting 

MMA/UFC

  • Moneyline
  • Method of Victory (KO, submission, decision)
  • Round Betting (correct round)
  • Over/Under (Total rounds)
  • Live Betting 

Boxing

  • Moneyline
  • Method of Victory
  • Round Betting
  • Over/Under (Total rounds)
  • Live Betting 
Specialty and Niche Sports Markets

Auto Racing (NASCAR, Formula 1)

  • Race Winner
  • Podium Finish (Top 3)
  • Fastest Lap
  • Head-to-Head Matchups
  • Futures (i.e., future race winner) 

Esports

  • Match Winner
  • Map Winner (for games such as League of Legends)
  • Total Maps Played
  • Player Props (i.e., kills)
  • Tournament Winner 

Horse Racing

  • Win, Place, Show (traditional bets)
  • Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta
  • Daily Double, Pick 3/4/5
  • Other Exotics
  • Futures (i.e., Kentucky Derby winner) 

Cricket

  • Match Winner
  • Top Run Scorer
  • Top Wicket Taker
  • Over/Under (Total Runs)
  • Futures (i.e., event winner) 

Rugby

  • Moneyline
  • Point Spread
  • Over/Under (Totals)
  • First Scorer 

Darts

  • Match Winner
  • Correct Score
  • Most 180s
  • Over/Under (Total 180s) 

Table Tennis

  • Match Winner
  • Set Betting
  • Over/Under (Total Points) 

Illegal

Political and Entertainment Markets

Political Betting

  • Presidential Elections 
  • Senate/House Elections 
  • Individual Party Nominees 

Entertainment

  • Award Shows (i.e., Grammys, Emmys)
  • TV Show Outcomes
  • Pop Culture Events 

Top Pennsylvania teams odds

With some of the most popular sports teams in the world, including teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Pittsburgh Penguins, PA has no shortage of great franchises. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top Pennsylvania teams’ odds to win their respective championships in the upcoming season(s).  

Banking and Payment Options available in Pennsylvania =

Thanks to the oversight and regulation provided by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), there are dozens of banking and payment options available in Pennsylvania. When it comes to funding and withdrawing money from your online sports betting accounts in PA, let’s take a closer look at what you can choose from. 

Deposit Methods Available in Pennsylvania

Payment Method 

Processing Time 

Fees 

Credit/Debit Cards 

Instant 

None 

PayPal 

Instant 

None 

ACH (eCheck) 

Instant 

None 

Online Banking (Bank Transfer) 

Instant 

None 

Play+ Prepaid Card 

Instant 

None 

Skrill 

Instant 

None 

PayNearMe 

Instant 

Small service fee 

Cash at Casino Cage 

Instant 

None 

Withdrawal Methods Available in Pennsylvania

Payment Method 

Processing Time 

Fees 

PayPal 

Typically within 1 day 

None 

ACH (eCheck) 

2-5 business days 

None 

Online Banking (Bank Transfer) 

2-3 business days 

None 

Play+ Prepaid Card 

Instant 

None 

Skrill 

Typically within 1 day 

None 

Cash at Casino Cage 

Instant 

None 

Check by Mail 

5-10 business days 

None 

PA Mobile Sports Betting

All 11 of the legal online sportsbooks in PA offer free sports betting apps, giving you the convenience of placing your wagers while on the go.

All of the great features noted above from the top-rated online sportsbooks in PA are available on their mobile apps, and users lose no functionality by using their mobile devices instead of the desktop sites. Using geolocation-enabled technology, PA mobile sportsbooks require you to be inside PA state borders to place your bet. 

Legal U.S. sports betting states

These are the states where sports betting is legal in the U.S.:

Best odds and betting tips

Now that you have the lay of the land when it comes to PA sports betting, including the best sportsbooks and promo offers, the time has come for you to jump in. Before you do, check for the best odds and our top betting tips via our news, tips, and picks page on the main site of SportsGrid.