Online casinos in Pennsylvania, USA
Online Gambling Pennsylvania – Options and Legislations
Pennsylvania recently became home to online casinos, poker, and sports betting. The first PA online casino sites launched in 2019. Since that point, the industry has grown at a fast rate. Today, there are 12 PA online casinos offering their services to gamblers on the Internet, as well as several whose licensing is still in progress.
HB271 was signed on October 2017 by Governor Tom Wolf, which made online casinos PA as well as poker legal. The following year, the Supreme Court ruled the PASPA to be unconstitutional, which prompted the legalization of sports betting, also.
To operate within the state’s borders, any PA online casino needs to be licensed. Since this legislation was put into action just recently, only 12 sites are now licensed. In addition to 12 licensed sites, this gambling expansion includes licensing for five mini casinos and one major casino, but none of them are yet operational.
History of Gambling Legislation in Pennsylvania
The first steps taken to make this grand change were in 2004 when the Pennsylvania Recehorse Development and Gaming Act were passed. This act established the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, an organization that oversees betting in the Keystone State.
By 2009, revenues from gambling were second nationwide preceded only by Nevada. This prompted a discussion between 2013 and 2016 when the first steps toward legalization were finally being taken. In 2017, HB 271 was finally signed expanding casino licensing and setting up a regulatory framework for online gambling.
Followed by this, the first online casino PA was launched in July 15 of 2019. On November 4, 2019, the first online poker product appeared in an online casino in PA.
Top PA Online Casino Pennsylvania Choices
| BETMGM Casino | |
| DraftKings Casino | |
| Unibet Casino | |
| Caesars Casino | |
| FanDuel Casino | |
| PokerStars Casino |
Regulations for PA Online Casino Legal Gambling
Tax Revenue Regulations
PA law specifies the distribution of revenue from internet gaming as follows:
- 52% on slot machines distributed to the Property Tax Relief Fund, Commonwealth Finance Agency for grants to counties, and to counties that suffer a decrease in local share.
- 14% on table games distributed to the Pennsylvania General Fund.
- Local share tax of 1% to the host county of license holders.
- 1% to the CFA for grants to any county.
Every licensed and legit online casino PA is asked to pay these taxes.
Types of Games Available
Internet gaming in Pennsylvania at this moment includes three gaming categories: banking games that simulate casino table games, games that simulate slots, and non-banking table games.
Licensing of Casinos
Only existing casino license holders can now request an authorization to offer Internet gaming. This is decided on behalf of the Gaming Control Board. Today, 12 casinos are operating with a license from this board, and there are five more that are still not operational but have their licensing approved. We can only expect this number to grow and at a much faster pace in the near future, considering that betting on the Internet was just made legal.
Who Can Play
People who are based in Pennsylvania at the very moment they wish to gamble can play at a PA casino. Casinos have a geolocation system that uses GPS software to block entry to users outside the state, even if they are residents. You don’t have to be a resident to play at an online casino real money Pennsylvania – just be physically present within the state’s borders. You also have to be at least 21 years old.
Games Played at Online Casino for Real Money PA
Even though PA online gambling has become legal just recently, online casinos already have many options for their players. This is partly because they are already established casinos that requested a license to operate online based on the regulations of the state. At almost every Pennsylvania online casino you can find hundreds of slot machines and many variations of table and card games.
Table and Card Games at Casino Online PA
At almost every Pennsylvania real money online casino, players can find many variations of popular card and table games including online roulette (French, European, and other variants), Blackjack, video poker, Baccarat, etc. You can even find games like Keno and Bingo on such sites.
PA Online Casino Slots
Slot machines come in many forms and designs in this state. There are classic reel slots, modern-themed video slots, jackpot machines, and even penny slots. Right now, some of the best-rated slots at a Pennsylvania real casino online include Cleopatra, Baywatch, Jackpot Shores, Starburst, and Wheel of Fortune.
Apps for PA Online Gambling
Apps are very popular these days with players who prefer to gamble on their smartphones and tablets, or on the go. All 12 gambling sites that are licensed in PA are mobile-optimized and can be access via browser, while some of them have native casino apps that can be downloaded for faster and instant access.
Bonuses Available at PA Online Casinos
Even though the number of online casinos is currently rather limited in Pennsylvania, those who exist on this market offer plenty of perks to beat the competition. Such perks usually come in the form of bonuses and are given to both new and returning customers. Bonuses you can find at PA casinos these days include:
- PA online casino no deposit bonus: a small amount given simply for registering on the site
- Bonus matches: Most sites give a 100% or bigger match to the first deposit/ several initial deposits once you sign up
- Comp or loyalty program points and schemes. Online casinos reward their returning players for the loyalty by using tiers and various bonuses and perks.
- Promos and special offers: Most of these sites will have a Promotions page that gives players access to special offers and promotions such as daily, weekly, or monthly deals.
Problem Gamblers and Responsible Gambling in Pennsylvania
Due to the recent legislative changes in the gambling industry, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has made some major changes in the self-exclusion policy and responsible gambling programs in the state. Problem gambling affects many players and can lead to destructive patterns of behaviour. This is why law mandates that mechanisms are put in place on all licensed casino sites, allowing gamblers to learn where they can ask for help and how.
In addition to this, people with gambling problems can request to be added to the Gaming Control Board’s Self-Exclusion List, therefore requesting to not have access to licensed casino sites.
FAQ
- Can you play online casino in Pennsylvania?
- Yes. Since 2017, gambling online has been legalized in Pennsylvania. If you are of legal age, which is 21, and are located within the borders of this state, you can gamble at one of the 12 licensed casino sites that operate on the Internet. Keep in mind that these sites have geolocation software that helps them learn if you are actually based in the state or not. Even if you are their resident, you cannot play unless you are there.
- Are online casinos legal in Pennsylvania?
- Yes. Pennsylvania has legalized online casinos, but their legislation currently allows only for existing land-based gambling establishments to apply for a license. At this moment, they have 12 licensed casinos and 5 others that are in process of obtaining a license.
- What online casinos can you play in Pennsylvania?
- If you are based in and want to gamble in Pennsylvania, you can choose between 12 licensed and legal online casino sites. These include Lady Luck at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Meadows, Rivers Pittsburg, Harrah’s Philadelphia, Hollywood at Penn National Race Course, Mount Airy, etc. The five sites that are still not operational include Greensburg, Big Beaver, Shippensburg, Morgantown, and York
- What is the gambling age in PA?
- To participate in Internet gaming in this state, you need to be 21 years old or over. Casinos have different means of verifying your identity and age. To bet on horses or buy lottery tickets, you need to be at least 18 years old.
- What casino games can you play in PA?
- In Pennsylvania, online casinos offer different kinds of games such as slots and table games. The three categories as allowed by law are non-banking table games such as poker, banking games that simulate casino table games, and games that simulate slot machines. Players can also wager on sporting events, play state lottery, and bet on horses.