Gambling in Pennsylvania, USA: Everything You Need to Know

On this page, you will be provided with all important information regarding the gambling laws in the state of Pennsylvania.

Online PA Gambling: Laws, Legal Activities, and Potential Penalties

Pennsylvania is, perhaps, one of the most gambling-friendly states in the US. The reason being is that, there, a number of gambling activities are considered completely legal. The illegal ones, on the other hand, are quite a few, which is why active bettors rarely choose to join offshore websites.

Nevertheless, despite this fact, it is still important to get acquainted with the current PennsylvaniaOnlineGambling laws to avoid any potential penalties. One should bear in mind that violators may face serious consequences, including the payment of hefty fees and even facing up to five years in prison.

Below, we will list the basic rules one should abide by. Additionally, our team will provide you with relevant information about the best PA online sportsbooks and new casinos PA. We guarantee that after the end of this piece, you will be completely familiar with everything regarding online PA gambling activities. To begin with, we will provide you with a table consisting of important details about the online betting laws in the state:

Online Gambling in Pennsylvania

First and foremost, we would like to say that online PA gambling is completely allowed within the borders of the state. Players residing there have the legal right to register on Pennsylvania online casinos. At present, there are nine legal PA betting platforms. On each one of them, you will find a wide variety of games. Not only will you be able to gamble on slots, but you will also have the chance to play live casino PA.

2019 was a turning point for the online PA gambling industry. That was the year when all poker devotees’ wishes got fulfilled with the introduction of the PokerStars platform. In addition to all these activities, punters are also allowed to take their chances with an online lottery. Currently, it is overseen by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Gaming Oversight Committee.

Betting on Sports in Pennsylvania

Fans of football, volleyball, tennis, or any other sports discipline will probably be fascinated to find out that many new online casinos in PA feature virtual sportsbooks. Betting on sports became legal back in 2019 with the launch of the very first mobile betting platform in PA. Ever since then, the market has grown tremendously.

At present, betting on sports is not only legal on real money online casino PA platforms, but at land-based casinos, racetracks, and off-track betting facilities. Many online sportsbooks feature exclusive offers all registered players can claim. Most of the time, the promised benefits include boosted odds or free funds for gambling. The one market that’s prohibited on the PA sportsbooks is eSports.

Another thing potential players should note is that betting on Daily Fantasy Sports is also permitted. This particular activity became lawful in 2017, and right now, there are several new online casinos in PA that feature a DFS section.

Most Preferred Gambling Activities

Undeniably, the most popular form of gambling in Pennsylvania is online betting at virtual casinos. After all, such platforms offer everything an active punter may need. Customers will be presented with rich selections of the following gaming products:

• Online Slots
• Live Casino Online PA Games
• Table Games
• Scratch Cards
• Bingo Games

However, no matter how amazing a real money online casino PA may look, you should ensure that the website holds a license issued by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. That serves as proof that the brand is completely legitimate and reliable. It is not recommended to join casinos without a valid license.

Some individuals prefer to register on offshore sites; however, experts suggest that this is not quite safe. The reason being is that on websites registered overseas, customers from Pennsylvania will not be able to seek assistance from the PA authority in case their rights get violated.

Potential Violations of the Gambling Laws in PA and The Respective Penalties

Of course, we couldn’t miss listing the potential violations one may commit when it comes to online gambling in Pennsylvania. The first thing people should bear in mind is the fact that betting at casinos and sportsbooks in the state is permitted to those who are of legal age. In the state of PA, the legal age for betting on casino games and sports is 21. Nevertheless, individuals who are 18 years old are allowed to bet on horse racing, live bingo, and the lottery.

If one happens to violate the law, they will have to pay the respective fees. For instance, if an under-aged individual gets caught on a casino floor, they will have to pay a first-offense charge of up to $250. If there is a second and third one, the payments will, of course, be higher. Under-age gambling, on the other hand, is punishable by facing no less than one year in prison, along with even higher fines.