Online Gambling in Pennsylvania - Casino & Sports Betting

Pennsylvania offers some of the most widely available and in-depth gambling options in the United States. They allow you to gamble on casinos, sportsbooks, and other avenues. They also offer casino games, sports betting, poker, horse racing, the lottery, and Bingo, or other charitable games. We’ll be helping you find the best online gambling sites for you in this article! We’ll look at the legality of these sites, discuss what you can gamble on, explain what to look for when selecting a site, and outline how to stay safe when looking for an online casino in Pennsylvania. We’ll even offer our favorite online gambling sites in PA, as well.

Pennsylvania has developed one of the most comprehensive and structured gambling frameworks in the United States. Over the past two decades, the state has gradually legalized and expanded various gambling activities, including online gaming, land-based casinos, and charitable games. All activities are regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and other state-level authorities.

Online Casinos

Online casino gaming was legalized on October 30, 2017, when Governor Tom Wolf signed House Bill 271 into law. The bill, known as Act 42 of 2017, allows licensed land-based casinos to offer online slots, poker, and table games.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: October 30, 2017
• Law: Act 42 of 2017 (House Bill 271)
• Official Link: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/unconsolidated/law-information?actNum=42&sessInd=0&sessYr=2017
  

Online Sports Betting

Sports betting — both retail and online — was authorized through Act 42 of 2017. The law allowed Pennsylvania casinos to apply for sportsbook licenses, with mobile betting contingent on the repeal of the federal PASPA law, which occurred in May 2018.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: October 30, 2017
• Law: Act 42 of 2017 (House Bill 271)
• Official Link: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/unconsolidated/law-information?actNum=42&sessInd=0&sessYr=2017
  

Physical Casinos

Casino gambling was authorized on July 5, 2004, through the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act (Act 71 of 2004). It allowed slot machine operations, followed by table games in 2010, at licensed facilities including racetracks and standalone casinos.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: July 5, 2004
• Law: Act 71 of 2004
• Official Link: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/2004/0/0071..HTM
  

Horse Racing

Horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering are fully legal and regulated in Pennsylvania. Oversight is provided by the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission. The modern legislative framework was consolidated in 2016 under Title 3, Chapter 93 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: February 23, 2016
• Law: Title 3, Chapter 93
• Official Link: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?chapter=93&div=0&ttl=03&txtType=HTM
  

Lottery

The Pennsylvania Lottery was created in 1971 with the primary goal of supporting programs for older residents. The lottery offers draw games, instant tickets, and participation in interstate games like Powerball and Mega Millions.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization: August 26, 1971
• Law: Act 91 of 1971
• Official Link: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/PDF/1971/0/0091..PDF
  

Charitable Gaming (Bingo & Small Games of Chance)

Charitable gaming is permitted in Pennsylvania through two major laws. The Bingo Law, enacted in 1981, and the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act of 1988 allow eligible nonprofits to offer raffles, pull-tabs, and bingo events.

• Status: Legal
• Date of Authorization:
  • Bingo: July 10, 1981
  • Small Games of Chance: December 19, 1988
• Laws:
  • Act 67 of 1981 (Bingo Law)
  • Act 156 of 1988 (Local Option Small Games of Chance)
• Official Links:
  • https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1981/0/0067..HTM
  • https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/HTM/1988/0/0156..HTM
    

Overall Comment

Pennsylvania offers one of the most complete and regulated gambling environments in the country, covering all major types of gaming under well-established legal frameworks. Every segment is supported by specific laws and state oversight agencies.