PA Sports Betting Sites

Pennsylvania has become a hotbed for sports betting since it was legalized statewide in November 2018. When the online and mobile capabilities came through, the Keystone State established itself as a premier location for sportsbooks to operate their businesses. 

As a result, sports bettors who find themselves within state lines have 13 different online sportsbooks to choose from. All of the heavy-hitters such as DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesar’s, and BetMGM are available, as well as up-and-comers like BetRivers, and BetPARX.

Each sportsbook offers a wide variety of betting options, all of which can be found within their respective apps. The types of bets available range from core game lines and totals to player props and futures bets. They also include odds for most professional sports around the globe, even offering promotional codes to incentivize users to test their mettle on sports outside their comfort zones.

Pennsylvania boasts seven professional teams within the four major sports. In the Spring, fans have their attention on Major League Baseball and either the Philadelphia Phillies or the Pittsburgh Pirates. In the NBA, the Philadelphia 76ers were eliminated from the 2023 playoffs, as were the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL. Football fans spend Autumn rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, with bets readily available for their 2023-24 campaigns. 

Make sure to check with us on Play-Pennsylvania.com for the latest promotional offers from legal sportsbooks in PA.

There was a time where it seemed legal sports betting in PA was only a pipedream. It took a full two years after the signing of HB 2772 for the state to adopt it in 2018. PA actually legalized sports betting (HB519) as part of a border gambling expansion bill in 2017, but its effects remained on hold pending action from the Supreme Court. When the courts paved the way for states to figure out the matter on their own, PA was ready to go.

Yet, due to strong opposition, it took another six months to get things finalized at the state level. Finally, in November 2018, retail betting made its way onto the scene, followed by online books another six months later. Today, the legal sports betting industry is thriving in PA, with an abundance of legal and safe retail, online, and mobile options for users to consider.

Below is the full and comprehensive timeline of key events that shaped the state’s robust industry. 

Before placing any wagers at a legal online sportsbook, you need to create an account. You don’t have to be in PA to create your account, but you do need to be present within state lines to place an actual bet. Creating your online account is simple, just fill in the required fields with your personal information and deposit a few bucks to get started. 

Most PA online sportsbooks offer some form of new user promo when you sign up for an account and deposit money. Owning multiple accounts across various sportsbooks is a great way to line shop and compare offerings between them. There are often discrepancies between the available odds for the same bet between books. Make sure, however, to understand how each promo works and always read the fine print!

Here are the most common types of new user promos you’ll find:

Deposit Bonus

The sportsbook matches one of your first deposits up to a certain amount. These matched funds come in the form of site credits that can only be used towards betting on sports. When you do use the site credits on a bet, there will be certain requirements it needs to meet. For example, the bet might need to have a minimum return of -200 odds on your money.

Odds Boosts

The sportsbook increases the odds of specific bets. As a result, if you make a winning bet, it will pay you a larger return than it normally would. 

First Bet Offers

The sportsbook essentially offers you insurance on your first bet made after signing up with it. If you win the bet, you simply cash out your winnings. If you lose, the book will compensate you with site credit that is equal to a percentage of the bet (usually 100% of it). 

With so many online sportsbooks available in PA, bettors can choose the ones that suit them best. It’s always best to open accounts with as many books as possible to better shop the lines of your preferred bets, and there’s no fee for maintaining an account. Let’s take a closer look at the top legal pa sports betting apps and how they differ.

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel Sportsbook has firmly established itself as the most popular legal sports betting site in PA and the United States as a whole. It consistently reports the highest earnings of any book, thanks in large part to its easily-operated app and plethora of offerings.

Welcome Bonus

FanDuel’s current new user promo awards those who sign up for a new account with a Bet & Get special. When a new user bets at $5, they will get up to $200 in bonus funds. These bonus funds are basically “store credit,” meaning they can’t be simply cashed out but must be used on another bet.

Notable Features

FanDuel regularly offers daily bonuses and odds boosts to certain bets. It should be noted these bonuses and boosts are often geared towards casual bettors, as they typically have low maximum bet limits. 

Key Takeaway: User-friendly and the most popular sportsbook app among PA bettors.
Best Feature: Daily Odds Boosts
PA Bonus:  Bet $5, Get $200
Founded: 2009
Legal States: 20
App Rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.7 (Android)
Early Cash Out: Yes

DraftKings Sportsbook

Welcome Bonus

DraftKings offers dynamic sport new user promos which are consistently updated throughout the year. They currently have two promos for new members: $200 in bonus bets when you place a bet of at least $5 and as a play-through bonus of up to $1,000. 

Notable Features

DK is also one of the best online sportsbooks for providing free-to-play contests. You can participate in its “Sportsbook Daily Pools” contests every day, earning cash prizes as you climb the leaderboard. It also presents short-term sportsbook promos for all users, new and recurring, these boosts include offers such as bonus bets and parlay boosts. You can also earn up to $100 for referring a friend to sign up for their own account.

Key Takeaway: Offers a wide variety of types of bets not available on most books.
Best Feature: Flash Bets
PA Bonus: Bet $5, Get $200 + $1,000 Deposit Bonus
Founded: 2011
Legal States: 21
App Rating: 4.9 (iOS), 4.8 (Android)
Early Cash Out: Yes

BetMGM Sportsbook

A long-time staple in the Las Vegas casino and resort industry since well before legalized sports betting, it only made sense that BetMGM would join the fun. Now in its fifth year operating as an online sportsbook, BetMGM has quickly evolved into one of the premier options to wager on all kinds of sports. 

Welcome Bonus

New BetMGM customers get a $1,000 First Bet Offer. After signing up and depositing a few bucks, simply place your first wager up to $1,000. If the bet loses, you’ll receive the amount of your wager back in Bonus Bets, usable on other sports wagers.

In addition, BetMGM will give new players $25 in bonus bets just for signing up. No deposit is needed to qualify for this promo, meaning you can start wagering without having to use any of your real money.

Notable Features

BetMGM has a large selection of sport-specific promotions in line with other industry leaders. Its version of the popular Same Game Parlays is called "One Game Parlays." These bets are fun and high-risk-high-reward, but make sure to bet responsibly and always use bankroll management. 

It also boasts a wide variety of sports and leagues, diving into the nichest of events.  

Key Takeaway: A quickly evolving sportsbook with a wide variety of offerings.
Best Feature: Usually one of the earliest books to offer market odds
PA Bonus: First Bet Offer up to $1,000
Founded: 2018
Legal States: 19
App Rating: 4.8 (iOS), 4.5 (Android)
Early Cash Out: Yes

Caesars Sportsbook

When Caesars established its online sportsbook two years ago, it was met with mixed reviews thanks to a clunky app. After updating its software and re-launching in August 2022, it vaulted into one of the premier sportsbooks available. Its success can also be attributed to its historic casino and resort business, which has been thriving for nearly 60 years. 

Welcome Bonus

Caesars has a tasty bonus for new users, offering a bet credit equal to the value of your first wager. You can bet up to $1,000, which it must be placed within 30 days of creating your account to qualify.

Caesars also starts you off with 1,000 Rewards credits and 1,000 tier credits when you opt-in to the promo. Reward Credits can be used towards future bets, as well as casino games and other Caesars-related amenities. Tier Credits help you improve your Tier Status within the Caesars Rewards program. The more Tier Credits you earn, the more perks you get. 

Notable Features

Caesars’ profit boosts are a great way to increase your winnings, usable on both straight bets and parlays. You can find a list of available profit boosts on the “Promotions” page, but either way, you’ll be notified if your selection qualifies after you add it to your bet slip and before you place your wager. Similarly, there are various offers for increased odds on certain bets daily.

As the largest retail sportsbook in the U.S., Caesars hosts one of the top-rated loyalty programs around. Reward and Tier Credits afford you some pretty sweet treats while simultaneously earning you free money with which to bet on sports. They even offer a variety of fun contests with prizes such as a trip to the Super Bowl.

Key Takeaway: Tailor-made for new users with the best loyalty program in the industry.
Best Features: Profit Boosts
PA Bonus: Up to $1,000 + 1000 Caesars Rewards credits + 1000 tier credits
Founded: 1966
Legal States: 20
App Rating: 4.6 (iOS), 4.4 (Android)
Early Cash Out: Yes

Barstool Sportsbook

When Barstool officially launched its sportsbook in 2020, its owners were confident the brand’s loyal fanbase would carry it to success. They've been proven absolutely correct in its nearly three years of existence. However, they have parted ways with Penn Entertainment, who will be rebranding the sportsbook to ESPN Bet in the coming months. Until then, the Barstool Sportsbook will remain available, which is good news for bettors. 

The company credits its superior, creative marketing as the reason it's able to attract so many casual bettors, who make up the bulk of its user base. These bettors have also stuck around thanks to novice-friendly offerings with limited maximum bets that don’t pique the interest of advanced sports bettors. However, one area of frustration for those newbies who progress is Barstool’s quick decision to limit players who win too often. Many have reported not being able to participate in certain promos. 

Welcome Bonus

Barstool has a routine sign-up bonus offering new players a 100% Deposit match of up to $1,000. Make sure to read the fine print carefully here, as there are a few caveats when using this bonus money. For example, you can only use these funds on a one-time wager, meaning it can't be divided up into multiple, smaller bets.

Notable Features

Most notably, Barstool Sportsbook’s best feature is the convenience of its app. One example is called “Move the Line,” a helpful scrolling tool that facilitates your ability to buy and sell points within a market. Personalization of the app is also excellent, allowing users to easily return to their preferred teams or leagues, making regular betting convenient without constant navigation.

Thanks to its partnership with Penn National Gaming, Barstool Sportsbook hosts a loyalty rewards program called MyChoice. Much like Caesars Sportsbook, it’s a tiered system that requires a good deal of money spent in order to reap the benefits. If you plan on betting with Barstool anyway, you might as well enroll and earn some points back.  

Tailgate Tour is an in-person event hosted on different college campuses throughout the year. Barstool takes advantage of its relationship with personalities such as Pat McAfee and founder Dave Portnoy by having them host a live show, mostly about sports betting, and interacting directly with their fans. Tickets to the event include access to the show and custom watch parties. 

Key Takeaway: A popular sportsbook due to its pre-existing loyal fanbase.
Best Feature: A user-friendly app
PA Bonus: 100% Deposit Match up to $1,000
Founded: 2020
Legal States: 14
App Rating: 4.7 (iOS) 3.0 (Android)
Early Cash Out: Yes

PointsBet Sportsbook

PointsBet is an Australian-based online sportsbook that sunk its roots into the American sports betting industry in 2019. It entered the PA sports betting landscape two years later in 2021. However, it sold its US business over the summer of 2023. The PointsBet platform in Pennsylvania is still live, but it is now branded as a “Fanatics Experience”.

Welcome Bonus

PointsBet is welcoming new users by offering up to $1,000 in second-chance bets. Once signed up, bettors must place one wager of per day for the first ten days. If they do, PointsBet will refund your losses up to $1,000. The refund will come in the form of bonus bets, which can be used to wager but cannot be withdrawn for cash.

Notable Features

Since their rebrand under Fantatics, PointsBet Sportsbooks has begun offering NFL power hours. Each weekend they will offer a slew of odds boosts and bonus bets to help players increase their winnings. If you plan to bet on the NFL, be sure to take advantage of this fantastic weekly promotion.

PointsBet is set to launch its new rewards program alongside Fanatics, giving its existing program a major upgrade. While they have not shared all of the details yet, they have promised that this NFL season will see it launch with more bonuses, bigger rewards, and free Fanatics team gear. If you are looking for a great rewards program, PointsBet is a fantastic option.

Key Takeaway: Prominent global sportsbook with plenty of competitive offerings.
Best Feature: NFL Power Hours
PA Bonus: Up to $1,000 in Second Chance Bets
Founded: 2015
Legal States: 14
App Rating: 4.8 (iOS) 4.4 (Android)
Early Cash Out: Yes, but not on bonus bets

*PointsBet was an accredited sportsbook for the last 2 years. However, on May 14, the company was acquired by Fanatics, a long-standing sports collectibles brand that has been venturing into other areas of sports for the last few years. We'll provide updates on the acquisition and Fanatics' plans to ingest its own branding into its sportsbook properties.

Sugarhouse Sportsbook

Sugarhouse Sportsbook is a platform from a popular casino in Philadelphia known also as Rivers Casino Philadelphia. Rush Street Interactive owns both Sugarhouse and BetRivers, its sister site offering an identical service in different parts of the country. Both are well-known for offering excellent features and plenty of competitive ways to boost profits on all kinds of bets.

Welcome Bonus

The main welcome bonus for this sportsbook offers new members a one-time wager credit of up to $500 when their first bet ends as a loss. If that bet loses, they receive a free bet equal to their initial stake. Like most welcome bonuses of this sort, these funds can’t be used in conjunction with odds boosts and must be placed with odds of -200 or longer.

Notable Features

Sugarhouse is a great book for those who enjoy wagering on who will score first in a match. It will offer various types of insurance for these bets, depending on the sport. In the NBA, for example, if you bet on a player who fails to score first, but that player ends the game with 25+ points, it will refund you up to $25. In the NFL, bettors are refunded the same amount if their projected player fails to score first, but manages to score at any other point in the game.   

Sugarhouse also offers daily odd boost specials on select moneyline, point spread, props, and parlays. Using the NHL as an example, if you place a three-leg or more SGP of $10 or more, you’ll receive a 20% profit boost if it wins. Keep in mind, though, that this extra reward is only usable on another NHL wager.

Key Takeaway: A robust menu of betting markets easily searchable on a user-friendly app.
Best Feature: Odds and profit boosts 
PA Bonus: Up to $500 in Second Chance Bets
Founded: 2010
Legal States: 15
App Rating: 2.6 (iOS) 3.8 (Android) 
Early Cash Out: Yes

*SugarHouse has different mobile apps depending on the state you’re in.

Sports bettors in PA enjoy the freedom to place wagers with relatively few restrictions, but it’s always important to understand the rules and regulations in your state. The most common types of bets placed on PA online sportsbooks include: Moneylines, Point Spreads, Points Totals, First Half + Second Half, Player Props, Parlays + Teasers, and Futures.

Moneyline

Moneyline betting is the simplest type of bet available. A winning bet on the moneyline is determined by which team wins the game outright. 

Using an example from the NBA, let’s say the New York Knicks moneyline is listed at +150 in a game against the Boston Celtics, who are listed at -170 on the moneyline. New York is the underdog here as indicated by its positive odds to win the game.

A $100 bet on the Knicks would net $150 in profit if they can pull off the upset. The negative number listed as the Celtics’ odds in this case means a bettor would need to place $170 on Boston’s moneyline in order to net $100 in profit.  

Point Spread

The point spread considers the margin of victory rather than just which team is victorious. Online sportsbooks in PA will set an opening line, or spread for the public to bet with, but it can move based on which side receives the most action.

Let’s use the NFL for this example and look at a hypothetical spread between the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins.

Say the Dolphins are -7.5 favorites in this one, with listed odds of -115 to cover. At the same time, the Patriots are +7.5 underdogs with the same -115 odds. A bet on the Dolphins requires them to win by at least eight points to cover the point spread and cash the bet. As underdogs, the Patriots can lose by up to seven points or win the game for a bet on them to hit. 

The (-115) odds listed next to each team’s point spread show the return on a correct bet in American Odds. Both teams have the same -115 odds so a $115 bet on the winning team pays the bettor $100, plus the $115 wagered. A $100 bet on the winner would earn the bettor $86.96 plus the initial wager if it hits.

Totals

A bet on the point total is determined by the combined number of points scored by both teams. Sportsbooks will provide a set number to allow bettors to choose whether the final combined scores of each team will be higher or lower than that number. 

For example, let’s say the point total in a game between the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets is set at 230 points. If the game ends with a final score of 125-120, bettors who selected the over would win, as the total points scored in the game exceeded 230. 

Halves, Quarters, & Periods

Sports bettors in PA can also split the game up and bet on the outcome of one half, period, or quarter, depending on the sport. Moneylines, point spreads, and totals are usually available for this type of bet, as well as player props.

Side Note: It’s crucial to remember that when you place a bet on the final half, period, or quarter of play, and that match is tied when the clock runs out, all overtime periods are taken into account. 

Let’s revisit the above example between the Warriors and Nuggets, this time with a bet on the second half total. 

Say the second half total is listed at 109.5 points and you bet the under. When the fourth quarter buzzer sounds, there are just 108 points scored between both teams in the second half, but the score is tied. Every point scored in overtime is then counted against your second half bet and it loses as soon as there are another two points put on the board by either team.

Parlays and Teasers

These bets allow you to combine multiple bets together for an increased payout. 

For a parlay example, let’s say the New York Knicks are favored against the Miami Heat (-140 on the moneyline) and the Cleveland Cavaliers are favored over the Minnesota Timberwolves at -200 on the moneyline. 

If you parlay the moneylines of the Knicks and Cavs together, the odds on your potential return jump up to +157 since you incur more risk trying to correctly predict two teams to win instead of just one.  

A teaser allows bettors to move multiple point spreads or totals in their preferred direction. Let’s say you like the Knicks (-4.5) in their matchup with the Sacramento Kings as much as you do the Orlando Magic (-5.5 favorites) to defeat the Utah Jazz. You can tease both lines by four points (most books offer anywhere from four-to-six point teases) to shift the lines to New York (-0.5) / Orlando (-1.5). Now, both teams need to win by four-fewer points than the original lines for your bet to cash.

Make sure to consistently check on the promos available at your preferred PA online sportsbook. Many PA online sportsbooks will offer odds boosts for parlays and teasers.

Futures

Future bets are placed on props in the longer-term future. Team win totals, award winners, and player performances are common future bets. These wagers often offer more favorable odds to the bettor since so much can change over time.

Player Prop

A prop bet is any wager that is not directly tied to the final score or outcome. Player props have become incredibly popular with the advancements of online betting, specifically within team sports. 

Rather than trying to predict the outcome of a game or team statistics, you can bet on a single player’s performance. These offers usually come in the form of an over/under bet, similar to the structure of a Totals bet. 

PA Sportsbooks will set a predetermined total for a particular statistic, allowing bettors to decide if they think that person will go over or under that number. In the NFL, for example, you can bet on whether or not you think Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Jordan Love will throw for more or less than the line set by oddsmakers.   

Every available online sportsbook in PA offers odds for all the major sports in North America and most of the global sports like soccer and cricket. 

NFL Betting in PA

Like the rest of America, PA bettors live for Sundays. The NFL is the most frequently bet-on sport in the state and it’s not even close. Not only are there two historic franchises in-state, PA has a rich history of churning out NFL legends such as hall-of-famers Joe Montana and Tony Dorsett, and current pro bowlers such as Aaron Donald and Saqon Barkely.

NBA Betting in PA

Up next in terms of betting popularity in the Keystone State is the NBA. The 76ers have been around since 1964, strengthening local love for the sport. With 82 regular season games plus the postseason, bettors have plenty of opportunities to bet on their favorite (or not-so-favorite) teams from October through June. 

MLB Betting in PA

No sports betting market has benefited from the advancements in modern analytics like baseball has. Historically, it was tough to bet on baseball due to constantly-changing lineups and pitching rotations. Nowadays, bettors have the luxury of being able to search for every nuanced stat imaginable in Major League Baseball. All of this has led to an increase in the various types of bets available and as a result, the sports popularity amongst bettors. 

NHL Betting in PA

The NHL is the least popular of the four major American sports in the betting community, but that doesn’t mean Pennsylvania bettors don’t still love their teams. There are two professional teams in the state, both of which have been around for more than 60 years. So, compared to other areas of the country, PA has a decent-sized hockey fanbase.

College Sports Betting in PA

It was originally thought that Pennsylvania legislation would go the way of its neighbor, New Jersey, and ban betting on college sports. PA sports bettors were relieved when state lawmakers decided to allow betting on college teams, but not college players. Meaning it’s legal to bet on how the Pittsburgh Panthers football team will fare in a game, but illegal to bet on the passes the team’s quarterback will complete.

As a result, the college basketball tournament known as March Madness consumes bettors in PA just like everywhere else in the U.S. In 2023, just one month after the Philadelphia Eagles played in Super Bowl 57, Pennsylvania reported a $172 million increase in sports wagers from February to March. It ended March with a total of more than $723 million bet on sports. 

In 2022, PA reported $7.3 billion in legal wagers placed in-state, ranking fifth among U.S. states with legal sports betting. With a long history of rooting for successful sports teams, PA sports betting was bound to take off. Football is king in the Keystone state, especially for fans of the beloved Eagles and Steelers. With a multitude of sports available for sports betting in PA, let’s take a look at the teams which show up most frequently on the state’s bet slips.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles’ recent success over the last six seasons has coincided perfectly with legal sports betting in PA. As a result, they have quickly become the team PA bettors have spent the most money on. The team looks primed for another run at the NFC title, but will need to fill a number of gaps left behind by key players who left during free agency. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are one of the oldest and winningest franchises in the sport with six Super Bowl trophies, tied with the New England Patriots for most all time. Still, it’s been more than a decade since their last visit, a loss to the Green Bay Packers in 2010. Coach Mike Tomlin has held his position for the last 16 seasons and never once suffered a losing record. He’ll have his hands full next season as Pittsburgh is still in search of its next franchise quarterback.

Philadelphia 76ers

It’s been 40 years since the once-proud 76ers franchise won an NBA championship. It’s been more than 20 since it even reached the Finals. Nowadays, PA basketball fans rely on superstar center Joel Embiid to bring them victory, although his ability to carry his team in the playoffs has been wanting. The 76ers are currently listed at +1500 to win the 2023-2024 NBA title. 

Philadelphia Phillies

After a 10-year absence from MLB Postseason play, the Phillies made it all the way to the World Series in 2022. They would eventually lose to the Houston Astros in six games, but those who placed a wager on Philly to make the World Series won a pretty penny (+3000 at the start of the playoffs). More than a third of the way through the 2023 season, the Phillies find themselves listed at around +1600 to win the National League and reach the World Series. As it stands, the team has plenty of work to do just to reach the postseason, currently in 4th place in the NL East division.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates are on a current playoff drought of their own, having missed the postseason for the last eight seasons. Pittsburgh was off to a surprisingly amazing start to 2023, but things came crashing down after the first two months. However, the team did ourperform expectations and gave Pirates fans plenty to be hopeful about going forward.

Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers haven’t made the playoffs in the NHL since 2020. That said, they’ve had incredible regular season success since joining the league in 1968, qualifying for the postseason in 40 of 55 campaigns. The franchise enjoyed back-to-back championships in 1974-75, but hasn’t won since. Philly came into the 2022-23 season listed at +3300 to win the Stanley Cup, right around the middle of the pack. 

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins are a storied NHL franchise, having won five Stanley Cups since joining the league in 1968. While they missed the playoffs in 2022-23, they were thrilled to defeat their in-state rivals, the Flyers in the 2021-22 postseason. With an aging roster the Penguins will need to rebuild through the draft to get back to glory. They’re currently listed as +3000 to hoist Lord Stanley in 2023-24.

Philadelphia Union

The Philadelphia Union is the city’s Major League Soccer club and one of Philadelphia’s five major league sports teams. The franchise played its first season in 2010 and has appeared in the MLS Cup Playoffs four times since then.

Even though soccer isn’t one of the biggest sports in Pennsylvania or the U.S, there are still a lot of MLS betting lines available for every match. Betting on MLS is often easier than many other sports, since the betting options are simple and easy to understand.

University of Pittsburgh

Pitt football has seen its fair share of victories, though not quite as many as the city’s NFL squad, the Steelers. The Panthers managed to finish second in the ACC’s Coastal Division in 2022 behind North Carolina. Highlighting their season was a victory over UCLA in the Sun Bowl, propelling them to finish 22nd in the nation on most college football polls. 

Pitt’s basketball team also finished its 2022 campaign in strong fashion. The Panthers struggled to meet expectations throughout the regular season and in conference play. As a result, they were forced to compete in an extra play-in game to make the official March Madness tourney, which they won over fellow 11-seed Mississippi State. They also pulled off an upset in Round 1 against 6-seeded Iowa State, before losing to the 3-seed in their region, Xavier University. 

Villanova University

Villanova’s men’s basketball team was one of the most dominant teams in all sports at any level since 2015. In the last eight years, the team has won two national championships, reaching the Final Four times. That was in large part due to head coach Jay Wright, who retired from his position ahead of the 2022 season. It’ll likely be awhile before the school can reclaim its dominance over the college basketball scene. 

PA bettors are able to enjoy a number of other forms of betting on top of professional and collegiate sports. Most traditional casino games are available at PA online casinos, in person at land-based casinos, and even at some taverns throughout the state.

Daily Fantasy Sports

DFS packs all the fun of a full fantasy sports season into one day of games. Pennsylvania offers a variety of legal websites and apps to participate, including from the larger sportsbooks such as DraftKings and FanDuel. These giants of the industry are able to offer larger prize pools in large part due to their robust user bases. There are a number of other reliable sites in the state, such as Yahoo and SuperDraft.

Horse Racing

With six horse racing tracks in Pennsylvania, betting the ponies has been a staple amongst may of its residents for two centuries. Thanks to modern-day betting, there are multiple apps and websites allowing PA bettors to wager on all types of horse races. 

The more popular sites include AMWager, BetAmerica, Betfair Exchange, TVG, and TwinSpires. There are also options for off-track betting (OTB) allowing fans to place bets in convenient locations rather than having to drive to the race track itself.

Online Casino

All the fun of casino games can now be experienced from anywhere inside PA state lines. Some sportsbooks such as DraftKings also offer casino games such as Blackjack, roulette, video poker, and even slot machines. Make sure to look carefully at the rules and regulations for online casino games, as they can differ from offline rules. 

Online Poker

After a surge of online poker sites began popping up in the early 2000’s, U.S. lawmakers quickly put a muzzle on things. The industry grew way too big for its britches as it was probably too far ahead of its time to survive. 

The evolution of online sports betting brought Poker back into the limelight and it’s become much more mainstream once again, available on sites such as BetMGM, Borgata, and the ever-popular PokerStars. Expect to see more online casinos upping their Poker games in PA as well.

Signing up for a sports betting account in PA is simple and takes only a few minutes. While you are allowed to create your account from anywhere in the U.S., you must be inside Pennsylvania state lines in order to deposit money or place a bet. 

Selecting A Sportsbook

Make sure to do your research to ensure you are choosing a book that will meet your preferences, such as the sports and bet types available. It’s also important to make sure you understand the new user promo criteria set by the sites you are researching. Most of the time you will need to meet certain requirements to unlock a promo. There will also be times when you need to enter a promo code when creating an account in order to receive a bonus. 

Strongly consider the different factors of each sportsbook in PA such as payout speed, banking options, and the quality of odds available. 

A sportsbook’s withdrawal policy is also nominally important here. Understandably, FanDuel and DraftKings have the fastest payout options. A few other sportsbooks do offer similar cash-out options, but DraftKings and FanDuel are the only ones providing same-day withdrawals. Rarely will you hear about a user getting frustrated with the time it takes for these two books to honor a withdrawal request. 

The good news is that these two rivals continue to set a high bar for the user experience associated with online sports betting. Up-and-coming sportsbooks are still building their infrastructures and have slightly slower payout systems as a result, but we can be assured they’re working to reach the level of the industry’s leaders.

Signing Up

When you’re ready to sign up, make sure to have the below information ready before you log onto a site. This will make the process of confirming your eligibility quick and easy, regardless of which sportsbook you choose.

• Full Name
• Email
• Address
• Phone
• Date of Birth
• Last four of your SSN

Deposit

After you've completed the registration process it's time to make your first deposit. Again, make sure to read the fine print around new user promos, as you may need to deposit a minimum amount to receive your bonus.

Start Betting

You’re now ready to start perusing your preferred sports for some quality bets! It can be a bit overwhelming to view the myriad of options on your screen, so don’t feel rushed. 

It’s recommended to consider various bets that grab your interest and write them down before placing any wagers. Once you’re able to see your bets laid out in front of you, do some research to dig a bit deeper and see what the numbers tell you.

With 13 different sportsbooks to choose from, finding the right ones can feel daunting. Most importantly, remember the importance of having multiple accounts to allow you to shop the lines. This is when you compare the offered odds between different legal sportsbooks to obtain those most favorable to you. 

We put together a helpful guide when considering your options for PA sportsbooks.

Variety of Bets Allowed

Pennsylvania's sports betting laws are among the most liberal of any state that allows it. Sportsbooks are mostly free to offer any type of sports betting market one can think of. Take a look at the types of bets offered by each book to make sure you’re not missing out on some of the most favorable. 

Competitive Lines and Odds

In a competitive sports betting market like PA, you’re going to see competitive line markets. Simply put, sportsbooks want to give you an incentive to bet with them instead of their competitors. 

One way to do that is to simply discover their competitors’ markets and tweak their own to be slightly more favorable to the betting public. There will be times you might not see much of a difference between sportsbooks, but always make sure to check before placing a bet so you don’t short yourself.

There are plenty of odds finder tools available online to make your search a bit easier. Instead of having to look at each book one at a time, these tools lay out the odds from multiple books in one easily viewable chart. 

For example, say I want to bet that Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets will score more than 30 points in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Before heading to one of my online accounts to place the wager, I would use my odds finder tool to see which sportsbook was offering the best odds. If DraftKings lists the offering at -105 and FanDuel at +110, I’m obviously going to make that bet on FanDuel.

Frequency Of Betting Bonuses

While sign-up promos are a great way to introduce new bettors to a betting site, they’re not the only types of promos available. Many sportsbooks, especially the largest and most profitable, rely on consistent promos to keep their users engaged. Offers such as profit boosts and no-sweat bets are a great method for attracting existing customers to continue placing bets. 

Most of the top-rated sites will have a specific tab to inform users of their current promo offerings. They often change monthly so make sure to check back with some regularity.

User Friendly Interface

This is often a subjective topic as opinions around useability often vary between people. When it comes to your user experience on a sports betting app, it’s mostly important that you can move through it quickly and seamlessly. A clunky experience is going to really frustrate live bettors who can’t get their bets in at the odds they originally wanted because their screen won’t load.

Ease Of Deposits and Withdrawal

The legality of sports betting brought with it a strong measure of security for money placed into online accounts and used for betting. Any sportsbook you choose to bet with is going to be safe and reliable in how it handles the money you deposit, withdraw, or use to wager. 

You’ll often notice there are more options for the methods you can use to upload money into your account versus withdraw from it. That’s pretty typical, but make sure that you are amenable to the ways in which a particular book will deliver you your money. 

Sportsbooks will often utilize a third party financial software option such as PayPal to assist with the transferring of money between itself and its users as well. So, make sure you feel comfortable using whichever company your sportsbook chose as a partner.

Customer Support

There may come a time that you want to speak to a live person with your sportsbook, either to dispute something or simply ask a question. 

Here is another example of the more lucrative companies having the resources to offer the best service, as not all sportsbooks can afford 24/7 support. 

Those who can’t afford to provide service all day and night usually offer other methods of communication, such as email or a social media account. Above all else, just make sure the book you’re interested in has at least a couple of ways for you to reach them. 

There’s still plenty more information to digest within the budding sports betting world. New bettors still trickling into the market will have lots of questions and we aim to answer the most pressing ones in this section. Below you’ll find useful tips meant for those novice bettors to help guide them with simple tips, glossary definitions, and general principles when getting their feet wet. 

Glossary of Sports Betting Terms

Understanding the different terminology used by experienced sports bettors and oddsmakers is a crucial start. Ideally, these terms will seep into your everyday language and allow you to spend less time looking up definitions and more time picking winners.

Action – A placed wager of any kind.

Against the Spread (ATS) – Refers to a wager wherein the favored team must win by a certain amount of points or goals. This is opposed to a moneyline bet that only requires the bettor to select the outright winner of the match.

Arbitrage – The simultaneous purchase and sale of the same game in different markets to profit from unequal prices.

Backdoor Cover – When a team that was losing for the majority of a match scores a slew of points at the end to cover the spread.

Bad Beat – Losing a bet you should have won. It's predominantly used when there’s a backdoor cover or an extraordinary occurrence forces a lost wager. This term is also used in poker when a player was heavily favored to win a hand before eventually losing. 

Bankroll – The available funds you allot yourself with which to bet.

Book – Short for sportsbook or bookmaker; a person or establishment that takes on bets from customers.

Buying Points – Bettors can choose to pay an additional fee to shift an established betting line in their favor. For example, if the Las Vegas Raider are favored by -3.5 over the Seattle Seahawks with a return of -110 on your money, you can buy one point so the spread is now Las Vegas -2.5 with a decreased return of -140.

Chalk – The favored team or athlete.

Contrarian Betting – A betting strategy that involves searching for value by betting the opposite result that the majority of bettors have wagered. 

Cover – Commonly used to describe any situation in which a team won a bet Against The Spread (ATS). Using the above example, if the Raiders beat the Seahawks by four points, they have covered. If Seattle wins or loses by less than four points, they’ve covered.

Also known as “fading the public.”

Dog – Short for underdog, the team or athlete bookmakers have listed as most likely to lose a match.

Edge – When a bettor places a wager with positive expected value and has an advantage against the house.

Even Money – A bet where neither the book nor the bettor has advantageous odds, also represented in American Odds as +100.

Fade - When a bettor projects a poor performance from a team or athlete and bets accordingly, they are “fading” them. For example, if Nikola Jokic has his points prop listed at 30.5 and you think he’s going to score fewer points than that, you would wager on the under. In this case, you are fading Jokic.

Favorite –  The team or athlete bookmakers have listed as most likely to win a match.

Field – In certain prop bets, bettors can choose between betting on a few teams/players to win or the rest of the participating field. For example, prior to the start of the NBA Playoffs there were listed odds to bet on one of the three California teams to win the title (Kings, Lakers, or Warriors), or the rest of the field (all 13 other playoff teams). 

Future Bet – Any bets placed far in advance of the match or event. For example, you can bet a Super Bowl future before the season starts. If your selected team lifts the trophy at the end of the postseason, you get paid.

Hedging – Placing a wager on the opposite result after already betting on one side. Bettors will use this tactic to recoup a bet that appears destined to lose, or to guarantee themselves a profit.

Hook – When betting against the spread, the hook refers to a half-point that bettors can buy. It’s often used in football around key numbers such as three and seven. If you’re betting the underdog Seahawks at +3, you might want to buy the hook to get a line of +3.5.

Juice – The tax that sportsbooks create for placing a wager. Overall, books usually offer -110 odds, returning a winning bettor $90.91 for a $100 wager. Do the math and you will find you need to win 52.38% of your bets to break even over time.

Key Numbers – Referring to the most common margins of defeat. Frequently used  in football where many games end with one team winning by a multiple of three or seven.

Limit – The maximum amount of money a sportsbook will take on in bets for a single event.

Lines – Another term for the spread or the offered odds for a match.

Line Shopping – With an influx of sportsbooks opening up, bettors have the advantage of owning accounts with multiple books. This affords them the opportunity to choose between the different offerings between them, known as shopping the lines. 

Middle – When a bettor puts action down on both sides of a game, affording them an opportunity to win both bets. For example if you bet on the Raiders +10.5 and Broncos -7.5, you win both bets if the Broncos win by 8-10 points.

Moneyline – The offered odds if you place a bet on one side to win outright.

Off the Board – A game or event that sportsbooks will not allow you to bet on. This usually happens when there is uncertainty around a player’s injury status or the weather. Books will often place the bet back on the board after having time to recalibrate their numbers using the new information.

Over/Under – Also known as the total, this refers to the total amounts of points/goals/runs that will be scored in the game. If both teams combine to score more than the total, the over wins. If they combine to score fewer, the under wins.

Parlay – When a bettor places multiple bets and ties them together for an increased payout. They now need all of the “legs” of their parlay to win in order to cash the bet.

Pick ‘Em – When neither team is favored by any amount of points. In this case, the spread is set with a line of zero.

Prop Bet – A bet on anything that isn’t based on the outcome of a game. These bets include things like the over/under for total points scored and player stats (eg. points, yards, etc.).

Public Betting Percentage – This number represents the percentage of total bets placed on a specific side of a wager. 

Push – When a wager ends without a winner. For a moneyline bet, the match must end as a draw for it to resolve as a push. A bet on either side of the spread ends as a push if the game ends with a point differential that is the same number as the set line. 

Real Time Odds – Sportsbooks will offer dynamic odds throughout a sporting event, allowing bettors to place wagers on these updated lines.

Reverse-Line Movement – Betting line movement that contradicts the public betting percentages. For example: if Team A is receiving 80% of the public bets as a 7-point favorite yet the line drops to -6.5, this is an example of reverse line movement. This indicates that sharp money is taking Team B.

Run Line – When it comes to sports with lower point totals (eg. soccer and hockey) bettors will often bet on the run line, or the puck line. This alternate line allows you to add runs for the underdog, or subtract them from the favorite. In this scenario, the favorite has to win by at least two runs for the bet to cash, while an underdog can either lose by one run or win outright.

Runner – An individual who places a bet on behalf of another person. Sometimes referred to as a “beard”.

Steam Move – Sometimes, the same line will move sharply across a multitude of sportsbooks simultaneously. This type of movement most commonly occurs when a crucial piece of info is widely released. 

Sharp – A professional bettor often with a large bankroll. Sharps are constantly watching the movements of various lines to locate even the slightest bit of value.

Teaser – Like a parlay, this type of bet requires at least two bets combined into one. With a teaser, bettors can shift the lines of the selected bets as a part of their teaser. For example, let’s say you want to bet on the Warriors -8 against the Kings, as well as over the total set at 230 points. You can tease these bets together by four points or more to shift the lines to Warriors -4 and over 226 points. 

Bettors have the ability to tease different lines for various amounts. However, the greater they shift the lines towards their favor, the further the odds on their payout will decrease.  

Tout – A bettor who sells their picks or their sports betting analysis to others.

Units – A measuring system used by bettors to more simply represent the amount of money they are wagering. This system is specific to each bettor, as a unit may represent a different amount of money to each bettor. 

We recommend establishing a consistent system for yourself based on the size of your bankroll. Typically, one unit is equal to 1% of your bankroll. This would mean that if you have $1,000 in your online betting account, a bet worth one unit should amount to $10.  

Wager – Another word for a placed bet. 

As the old saying goes “you don’t know what you don’t know.” The fast-paced world of sports betting provides ample opportunities to make little mistakes that can lead to big consequences. Fortunately, others have made those mistakes for us and have passed that information on to help us avoid the same perils. 

Here are a few actions to avoid in order to keep your PA sports betting experience as enjoyable as possible:

Bankroll Management

Bankroll management is the key to long-term successful betting. It’s easy to fall into the trap of increasing the size of your wagers during a run of winning bets, but displaying self control here is crucial. SImilarly, doubling down after losing a bet or two is a slippery slope and should be avoided at all costs.

Practicing this type of strategy is known as flat betting. Flat betting is the act of wagering the same amount on every match and maintaining a bet size of 1-5% of your bankroll per play. This is the most dependable form of betting to accumulate your profit over time.

Avoid Group Thought

Professional bettors are often concerned with “where the public is betting.” They’re wondering which side of a line most people are betting to see if there’s value in betting on the opposite side. They’re not necessarily saying “the public” is wrong, they just have a deeper understanding of how the lines are set.

How the Lines Are Set

Once a sportsbook sets its opening line, that line is subject to movement before the start of that match. That movement is based on where the money comes from, meaning the side of the bet where the majority of people are placing their wagers. 

For example, say the Nuggets and Heat are squaring off. A book sets an opening line of Nuggets -6.5 (-110) and Heat +6.5 (-110). After 12 hours, 80% of bets made on this line are placed on the Nuggets. The book now finds itself in a precarious situation. 

Let’s say there was $1 million placed on the game in total, meaning there’s $800,000 on the Nuggets to win by at least seven points. If that bet cashes, the book stands to lose more than $500,000. Considering the book’s number one goal is to take on wagers while mitigating risk, that’s a lot of risk to incur. 

To mitigate it, the book will move the line even higher in favor of the Nuggets with the hope that more money will be placed on the Heat.

Time to Bet

Professional bettors, or Sharps, use this information in a variety of ways. The most common way is to bet lines early. An early line that has yet to experience the pressures of the public marketplace is more susceptible to scrutiny. It’s basically just the bettor’s projections versus the oddsmaker. 

The second most common way is to wait for the pressures of the market to impact a line to a certain point before betting the opposite side. Using the same example with the Nuggets and Heat, let’s say the public quickly bets on the Nuggets and raises the line to -9. A sharp bettor whose projections indicate the Heat should only be six or seven point dogs would take this moment to bet on the Heat before the line can move back towards its original -6.5. 

Recency Bias

It’s human nature to feel the need to “see it to believe it.” If something has happened once, we are prone to believe it’s more likely to happen again. In sports betting, however, it’s more important to consider that, historically, teams on a hot streak are overvalued. 

Sportsbooks are always considering how the majority of novice-level bettors and sports fans will act. If millions of Americans are all watching the same recurring highlights of LeBron James and the Lakers dominating their competition on ESPN, they’re all more likely to bet on the Lakers. With that knowledge, the books will shift the spread in the Lakers favor since most people will want to bet on them regardless.. 

Gambler’s Fallacy

Simply put, every match or game is an independent event. Just because something has or hasn’t occurred in recent history, doesn’t mean it’s more or less likely to happen in the future. 

There are too many variables impacting each match to base projections on what happened last time. 

Over Betting

Action for action’s sake is a surefire way to deplete your bankroll. Instead of spreading out your money over various bets, find the bets that give you the most confidence and consolidate your money accordingly.

Level-Set Your Expectations

Sports betting is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s a long-term play for those who want to maintain the ability to engage in it without financially damaging themselves. 

As previously mentioned, a bettor must win 52.38% of the time on average. This means that anything above 55% is considered highly profitable. Which also means successful bettors are losing around 45% of the time. 

In short, stay the course and keep a cool head!

Paying for Picks

Legal sports betting is still relatively new in the States. There’s plenty of room for growth when it comes to oversight and regulation. Anyone can launch a company that sells picks while claiming expertise. 

These sites will often look to make money off of novice bettors by selling them these picks and analysis. The best way to avoid spending your money on unreliable information is to do your own research around the folks. 

Here are a few things to look out for:

• There’s no such a thing as a lock! Let’s repeat it again: There’s no such thing as a lock! Anyone claiming to have a guaranteed winner is either a time-traveling genius, or a fraud. Sports betting may be a science, but it’s an imperfect one.
• Anyone offering picks without providing strong reasoning and the ability to effectively communicate that reasoning shouldn’t be trusted.
• Anyone can claim that they’ve picked a million winners in a row. Make sure to find time-stamped proof indicating their record is as accurate as they claim it to be.
• Make sure that anyone touting picks is providing the sportsbook they’re when providing bets. Too often you’ll find people offering picks on made-up lines.

Failing to Shop the Best Line

With an influx of sportsbooks opening up, bettors have the advantage of owning accounts with multiple books. This affords them the opportunity to choose between the different offerings between them, known as shopping the lines. 

Failing to shop lines between books is like leaving money on the table. Say Sportsbook A has the Nuggets listed as -5.5 favorites over the Heat, while Sportsbook B has them listed at -6.5. If you failed to check the odds at Sportsbook B and Denver wins by six, you just missed out on a cashed bet.

Having the ability to wager on sports at your fingertips is a luxury few thought we might ever enjoy in the U.S. With great fun, however, comes great responsibility and PA legislators have certainly created specific measures to help its residents enjoy responsible betting. 

Those looking for help restricting their ability to bet on sports in the state can list themselves on an online gambling self-exclusion list. This will keep them from being able to participate in any form of online gambling even if they attempt to open an account or place a wager. 

There is a bit of paperwork involved to have one’s name added to the list, as well as the ability to present a photo ID. The terms include options for one year, five years, or permanently. It’s important to note as well, that should one choose from the two shorter terms, they’ll need to petition to remove their name once their selected time period is up.

There are other options for those who would like to continue betting, but need some assistance to do so responsibly. Many PA online sportsbooks have an option to send yourself a notification once you’ve spent a certain amount of time on their site. You can even set a time limit restricting the amount of time you’re allowed to spend on a site each day.

If you think you may have a gambling problem and need support, these programs are meant to help:

• Council on Compulsive Gambling in Pennsylvania
• PGCB Self-Exclusion Request
• National Council on Problem Gambling
• GA meetings in PA

Sports betting may be legal in PA these days, but it’s been a common activity in the state for much longer. Prior to its legalization, bettors were forced to use offshore sites or local bookies. 

While you can still access these types of entities today, you should know first and foremost they’re illegal. Moreover, neither provide much (if any) insurance on your money and wagers. If an offshore site closes down or your bookie changes phone numbers and disappears, there’s not much you can do to recoup your assets. 

With the passing of HB 271 in PA also came the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). The PGCB is constantly monitoring sportsbooks in its state to keep them honest. You can even reach out to the board if you are having issues withdrawing your money or need to dispute a claim against a particular sportsbook.

Residents of PA should be happy to know that the PCGB has also helped increase the state’s wealth through licensing fees directed towards legal sportsbooks. As a result, everyone in PA is able to enjoy lower property and wage taxes. 

2015

The evolution of legal sports betting in Pennsylvania began in 2015 when Rep. Rick Kotik introduced House Bill 1627. It broadly stated that legal betting would be allowed at state casinos if the federal law limiting the activity was ever overturned by the Supreme Court.

2017

Two years later, the idea to allow individual states to dictate their own sports betting laws gained steam. PA Rep. Rob Matzie took things another step further in preparation for PA legislators to control the state’s betting future. He proposed to repeal PASPA and devised the rules and regulations for Pennsylvania to legalize betting once that happened. 

A few months later, HB 271 was introduced to the PA House and Senate. After multiple reconstructions, Gov. Tom Wolf placed the bill into law on Oct. 30. It would still be another 7 months, however, before the Supreme Court would officially enact it.   

2018

Finally, in May of 2018, the Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on sports betting outside of Nevada. HB 271 would now allow all 12 of PA’s licensed casinos to apply for a sports betting license to open their own sportsbooks.

They did so in November of that year and the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course was the first book to take legal wagers. 

2019

10 months later in May of 2019, the digital versions opened up, with PlaySugarHouse launching the first ever online sportsbook in PA.

FanDuel also launched its online sportsbook app in Pennsylvania with the first integrated wallet. Bettors could now travel between PA and NJ with the same sports betting app and account. One month later, DraftKings entered the PA market as well.

2020

Barstool Sports launched its online sportsbook in PA only. It became the state's 11th available online book, with plans to expand to other states shortly thereafter.

By March of this year, 90% of all PA sports betting is happening online via mobile devices. 

2021

Pennsylvania set a personal best for betting volume when it recorded a $776 million handle in October. 

2022

Just a few months later in January of 2022, PA set another individual record for betting volume with $794 million in total bets

Caesars Sportsbook also launched its online sports betting app in Pennsylvania.

2023

Pennsylvania made history when it became the fifth state to pass the $21 billion mark in all-time sports betting handle. The previous four states to accomplish the feat in order were Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Illinois.