Pennsylvania Online Casino Guide 2020

Online gambling in the United States has grown in popularity over recent years largely due to the existing restrictions and limitations that apply to physical betting establishments across the country. In the US, online gambling is heavily regulated which means that only a few select states actually possess the legal requirements to allow their residents the opportunity to partake in online betting. One of the states where online gambling is legal is in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is actually one out of two states in the US where online gambling is completely legal. In order to participate in a online gambling, you must be at least 21yrs or older, once you meet that requirement, you will have access to all of the various gaming options offered by multiple online casinos compatible with PA gambling legislation.

pennsylvania flagPennsylvania gives it’s residents the ability to explore a wide range of different premium casino options, games, and other betting entertainment options that you can enjoy the way you want. While the laws surrounding PA online gambling are fairly lenient, there are still some very strict regulations put in place to ensure that no one attempts to take advantage of the betting system.

If you’re new to the world of online gambling in Pennsylvania, you probably want to know about all of the legal requirements and regulations that you must adhere to when placing bets and engaging in gameplay generally. For those that can relate to this statement, you’ve come to the right place.

In this guide, we’re going to give you a detailed explanation about all of the intricate gambling laws, restrictions, and guidelines that you must follow to ensure that you are operating in complete compliance with all of the statutes in place near the location in which you intend to place bets.

To help you make the most out of your Pennsylvania online gambling experience, we’re going to give you an in-depth guide on how to properly place bets, engage in online gambling, and much more.

The legality of Online Gaming in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is one of the two states in the United States which allows the legal participation in online gambling services. The state of Pennsylvania gives out three distinct gambling licenses that allow the owners of online gambling institutions to provide their services to residents of the area. The three primary online gambling licenses given out by the state of Pennsylvania are as follows: table games, slot games, & peer-to-peer games.

There are some exceptions to these three primary online gambling types however which are the PA online lottery and fantasy sports betting. House Bill 271 is the piece of legislation that legalized online gambling in Pennsylvania in addition to legalized sports betting. This act became effective after the US supreme court repleaded the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act known as PASPA. This legislation also made daily fantasy sports gambling legal in Pennsylvania, the entire Pennsylvania gambling industry generates an estimated 200 million dollars in tax revenue per year for the state.

Pennsylvania also has 6 different land-based casinos and casino-racetracks, in 2018 the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board conducted auctions that were meant to determine the future of satellite casinos in the state which is also known as mini-casinos. Development on 5 satellite casinos is currently underway in Pennsylvania however these new buildings must be at least 25 miles away from any existing land-based casino.

casinos pennsylvaniaAs of right now, Pennsylvania currently has the following laws in place which dictate what forms of online and land-based gambling are legal.

Pennsylvania Online Gambling Laws

  • Online Gambling – Legalized in 2017
  • Land-based Casinos – Legal – Yes
  • Charitable Gambling – Yes (Bingo)
  • Lottery Betting – Legal – Yes (State lottery, Powerball, & Mega Millions)
  • Minimum Gambling Age – 18yrs old for the lottery, bingo, and pari-mutuel betting, 21yrs or older for land-based casinos

As you can see, Pennsylvania has some of the most lenient gambling laws which allow you to participate in a wide range of different betting games and activities. One critical thing to remember is that if you plan on engaging in gambling activities of any kind in the state, you must be physically located within the state during the time of your gambling activities. Pennsylvania does not require you to be a resident of the state to play however you must be located in the state while playing.

Now that you know a little bit more about all of the legal regulations surrounding the practice of online gambling in PA, it’s time to give you the key tips you need to know in order to locate a trustworthy online casino that you can begin placing bets with.

How to find a trustworthy online casino in PA

pennsylvania online casinoWhile Pennsylvania online gambling us is legal, there are still casinos out there who operate in an illegal manner. To avoid facing any severe consequences or penalties while gambling online, you always need to make sure that the online gambling site you decide to go with is fully licensed.

The best way to determine whether or not an online gambling institution is legal is by checking to verify is the site has been verified and licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board better known as the PGCB. They are the sole authority in Pennsylvania that gives out operational licenses that allow online gambling to function without a hitch.

If you fail to see any indication that a particular online casino in PA has been licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, you should avoid that particular gambling site altogether as it’s a good chance that it’s a scam and does not operate according to specific state laws that regulate gambling in Pennsylvania.

To find a reliable online casino, you can go online and perform a google search to locate reputable websites that will give you links to some of the top pa online gambling websites. There are a lot of different options available to those individuals who are interested in placing bets in any online casino.

Remember, before you place any bets with an online casino, make sure that they have a license from the PGCB. Now that you know everything you need to know about how to find a reputable online casino in pa, it’s time to give you a list of some of our top recommended online gambling sites.

Recommended PA online casinos

pennsylvania gambling guideWhen you’re ready to place bets online, there are several pa online casino choices that you can select from which makes finding the right institution for your desired betting needs quite easy. However, depending on your preferred playing style and the particular games that you want access to, certain online casinos will offer options that others don’t.

This is important to keep in mind so that each casino will have its own rules and laws that outline exactly what you can and cannot do on the platform. Before depositing money into any online casino in PA, you need to make sure that it offers the gaming selection and titles that you’re interested in most.

Once you’ve decided on the specific types of online gambling games that you want to play, it’s time for you to begin betting by finding the online casino in Pennsylvania that is best suited for you. As mentioned earlier, there are several online gambling sites in the US, below, we’re going to provide you with our list of the most trusted and highly recommended casinos so that you can begin having fun online while also being protected from any legal repercussions or backlash due to engaging in such activities.

Virtually all of the casinos listed above offer the basic online gaming options that you’d expect like slot games however, many online gambling casinos offer a slew of other exciting gaming options for you to choose from so you’re never limited in terms of how you decide to play with your money regardless of the online casino in PA that you decide to go with.

Keep in mind, these are just some of our top recommended online gambling sites that you can choose from. Several other online gambling sites are compatible with gambling rules and legislation.

In the next section, we’re going to give you the run-down on what you can expect to encounter when playing an online casino in PA.

What to expect when playing an online casino in PA

pennsylvania online casinosWhen you sign-up for any online casino, one of the first steps that you’ll have to undergo is that of adding a payment method. Depending on which online casino you sign-up for, there will be a variety of different payment options for you to choose from. It’s important to read the rules and regulations surrounding your selected online casino to ensure that it accepts the payment methods you have access to such as bank cards, electronic payments, and more.

Most Pennsylvania online gambling sites will require an initial deposit before you can begin playing any of the titles available on their platform. Depending on what payment method you use to make your initial deposit, it may take anywhere from a couple of hours, a few minutes, all the way up until a week.

Every PA online casino has its own rules about how long deposits take, what payment methods you can use, and how you are able to access the fund in your account. Below, we’re going to list some of the most commonly used deposit methods that you can expect to encounter when signing up to play in an online casino.

Most Common PA online gambling payment methods

  • Prepaid debit card
  • ACH Deposits (Electronic Checks)
  • Online Payments (PayPal, etc)
  • Cash deposits at land-based partner casinos
  • Credit cards

As mentioned above, all of these different payment methods will come with their own regulations in terms of when your deposit will clear, how long it will take for the funds to be available in your account, and how you will be able to use the funds once they are available in your account. You need to make sure that whatever online casino you choose is licensed so that you don’t have to worry about your payment information being compromised during the transmission process on-site.

To ensure that you stay safe while placing bets online, you need to adhere to all of the applicable gambling regulations and laws. In the next section, we’re going to give you the detailed information that you need to know about all of the rules that you’ll have to follow when attempting to place bets with an online gambling website.

Rules of online casino in Pennsylvania

pennsylvania casinoAlthough online gambling in Pennsylvania is legal, there are still certain betting activities that are prohibited in the state. The gambling areas that are legal include the following: tennis, boxing, MMA, soccer, the PA lottery, and more. For those that enjoy a safer means of betting, the  lottery is available to you and provides a lot of potential daily bonus offers that you can access.

The lottery gives you the ability to engage in activities such as instant play, daily pick games, the Powerball, and more. Online poker in Pennsylvania is also legal which is great for those individuals that enjoy playing more serious online betting games. One interesting thing to note about the pa lottery is that it is also the main backer of the Xpress Sports gaming platform which hosts a slew of sports-related betting options for you to engage in.

The online poker games that you find in online casinos are created through partnerships by global poker companies and local poker brands in the state of Pennsylvania. This provides a level of protection for you while playing as you can be confident in the security and validity of the platform as it relates to payment processing and personal information security.

The H271 bill expanded the legalization of online gambling to several different categories and industries including:

  • Online table games
  • Online slot games
  • Online poker
  • Daily fantasy sports
  • Online lottery games
  • Sports betting
  • Tablet gaming
  • And more!

If you’re someone who has an invested interest in sports betting alone, you need to become educated about all of the various rules and regulations that apply to sports betting online to make sure you stay safe and avoid any legal consequences.

Sports Betting in Pennsylvania

sports betting paSports betting in PA is one of the most popular categories of online gambling in the state, it’s also one of the most loosely regulated forms of legal gambling in the state. This is great news for those individuals who enjoy placing bets on various live sporting events. Horse betting is one of the most common forms of sports betting that takes place in Pennsylvania however you still have the ability to place bets on popular live sporting events outside of horse racing alone.

To begin participating in any kind of online sporting event, you will be required to place an initial bet which will last throughout the entire playing period of the game that you select. Some of the most popular live sports betting companies in PA include:

  • TwinSpires
  • Bet America
  • TVG
  • Parx
  • The Meadows
  • Penn National
  • Mount Airy Casino Resort
  • Valley Forge Online Casino
  • Mohegan Sun Pocono
  • Presque Isle Downs
  • South Philadelphia Turf Club
  • Harrah’s Philadelphia
  • And more

There are other live sporting houses available in Pennsylvania for you to sign-up for however these are some of the most commonly used ones. You also have the ability to place off-track bets by using one of the OTB facilities located throughout the state, these places can be found at about 6 different harness tracks and thoroughbred tracks all throughout PA.

As you probably already know, there are several other online gambling categories that you can participate in besides live sporting events or the state lottery.

Online Gambling Categories in Pennsylvania

igt slotsPA online gambling us wouldn’t be much fun without a variety of games and entertainment options to choose from. Luckily, there are several different online gaming options for you to choose from when deciding to place bets with any online betting house that operates in PA. to help you get the most out of your online gaming experience, we’re going to provide you with all of the essential information that you need to know as it relates to all of the various online gambling categories available to you as someone participating in pa online gambling.

Table Gaming in PA

If you like table casino games, there is no shortage of options for you to choose from when using an online casino in Pennsylvania. Most gambling games that are played with cards are still considered to be table games, this includes games such as casino poker, roulette, blackjack, craps, baccarat, and many others. Some of these games are played using various rule sets and variable playing requirements which is something to keep in mind before signing up for any particular website or making a deposit.

 Online slots in PA

There are over 200+ online slots options in PA which makes it one of the most popular gaming categories in the state. Most online casinos will allow you to filter the type of online slots that you want to play according to the theme or overall style of the game which makes it easy for you to find the right option for your preferred betting style.

You’ll have the ability to choose from classic slot gaming options all the way up to some more advanced options that have only been released to the market as of recently. Whether it’s a three-reel slot or a newer version slot gaming options, online casinos have the right game for you to win multiple bonus prizes and tons of huge offers.

Live casino in PA

live casinoOne of the most popular forms of online gambling that is sweeping online casinos is that of live dealer casino games. These types of games involve you placing bets though an online medium by way of watching an alive video feed of a dealer who is interacting with your bets in real-time.

This is a very popular option with those individuals who want the classic experience of a casino without having to physically be inside of one to experience it. Some of the most popular live dealer casino games include three-card poker, roulette, Casino holds ’em, and baccarat. You also have the ability to talk with the live dealer via chat which adds a social element to the game.

While there are a lot of other exciting gaming categories offered in online casinos, players are the ones who ultimately decide on which games keep their interest. Thus, the available titles that you see are because people who regularly participate in online gambling have shown that they engage with those gaming types the most.

One of the major benefits of playing in an online casino in PA is that you will have access to a ton of exclusive bonus offers and prizes for simply participating in special online gambling events or games specifically.

Common bonus offers for online casino in PA

no deposit free spinsThe exact bonus offers that you’ll have access to will vary depending on the exact online casino in Pennsylvania that you decide to sign up for. Most online casinos offer the same type of bonus offers with a little twist depending on exactly what system of gaming that they use to operate. However, you can expect a pretty uniform selection in terms of the type of bonus offers available in casinos all across the net.

The most common online casino in PA use bonus offers are:

  • Matched deposit bonuses- this is a bonus type that essentially matches your deposit amount with equal to or greater value. An example of this would be an online casino offering you up to $300 back on your first initial deposit. That means that if you deposit up to $300, you will receive an extra $300 making your total account balance $600.
  • No-deposit bonus- this bonus type, in particular, is commonly used by online casino providers who want to attract new users to their website. This type of bonus will look like a free offer to sign-up and then the online casino will give you a small account bonus somewhere around $10-$25 dollars as an incentive for you to begin playing.
  • One-off promotions: these types of promotions typically involve the online casino of your choice offering one-time bonuses or deals. This could take the form of the casino offering extra credit once you reach a specific playing level and much more. The key thing about these types of bonus promotions is that they only occur one-time so you shouldn’t expect to have access to them on a consistent basis.
  • Loyalty Bonuses- these bonuses reward players of online casinos with extra points and play credit based on how much money they’ve spent with that particular institution over a set period. This can look like an individual receiving “interest” on their account balance for maintaining a certain amount of money or a wide range of other things.

All of these bonus types serve the same fundamental purpose, which is to incentivize you to continue playing and engaging in all of the various online gaming options available in casinos across PA. if you’re looking for a particular type of bonus offer or want the ability to win interest on your account balance, you need to look for those specific sites which make a statement that they offer those various benefits in their mission statement on their website.

Conclusion

By now, you know virtually everything that you need to in order to begin placing bets with online casino providers in Pennsylvania. Always remember that unless the online gambling site you sign-up for has a license certification from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board they are not a legally operating entity. As long as you make sure you follow all of the state regulations and rules regarding online gambling, you should have no issue winning big and enjoying your time participating in online gaming.

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