Best Online Casinos in PA Guide — PA Real Money Online Casinos Tested & Reviewed
Since the first fully-licensed online casino appeared within the state of Pennsylvania in 2019, there have been seven more casinos offering sports betting, poker, and exciting casino games to those within the state’s borders.
Online gambling can be a fun way to experience the excitement of a casino without leaving your home. Casinos in PA now offer all kinds of experiences, from regular baccarat to live-dealer roulette and even Eagle’s branded blackjack!
This page will cover some of the histories behind online gambling in PA, along with some interesting points about online gambling and our recommendations for the best online casinos available in the state. We will also go over how to get you started and some of the banking methods available.
Full T&Cs Apply. New players only. To be eligible players must be 21 years or older and playing within the state of Pennsylvania. $10 minimum deposit required. Players must wager the bonus amount 1x on all games.
Full T&Cs Apply. New players only. To be eligible players must be 21 years or older and playing within the state of Pennsylvania. $10 minimum deposit required. Players must wager the bonus amount 30x on all games.
Full T&Cs Apply. To be eligible, players must be at least 21 years old, playing within the state of Pennsylvania. Players must make a single deposit of $10. The bonus money has a 1x wagering requirement.
Full T&Cs Apply. New players only. To be eligible players must be 21 years or older and playing within the state of Pennsylvania. $10 minimum deposit required. Players must wager the bonus amount 15x on all games.
Casino
5
Welcome offer
100% Deposit Match Up to $1,000 + $20 Free on Sign Up
Full T&Cs Apply. To be eligible, players must be at least 21 years old, playing within the state of Pennsylvania. Players must make a single deposit of $10. The bonus money has a 15x wagering requirement.
Licenses provided by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board permit 12 Pennsylvania-based land casinos the right to launch an online casino platform, usually in partnership with another operator, and each hosts a collection of gambling software from various providers.
The first online platform was launched in 2019 after a bill in 2017 paved the way for licensing, regulation, and proper structure. This monumental move for the gambling industry in PA led the way to millions of dollars of government funds being raised through licensing, and, of course, all winnings are taxable by the state.
The legal age to play at both land-based and online casinos in the state of Pennsylvania is 21; on the door, you will require a valid government-issued photo ID, and online, you will have to submit details, including the last four digits of your SSN. Geo-locating software will also record your approximate location to ensure you are in the state, and spoofing your location is considered fraud.
When gambling online in PA, it’s imperative to play at websites fully licensed by the PGCB. The rigorous licensing process that establishments must follow to get the license ensures proper transactional audits, financial protection, and personal identity protection.
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) – Mission, Goals, and Objectives
The PGCB aims to protect the public, primarily the residents of Pennsylvania, by enforcing stringent rules on casinos, operators, and players that will hopefully increase the industry’s integrity.
The PGCB requires all license holders to follow the rules about auditing, log keeping, and more. At the same time, a number of tax-related rules are also stipulated, such as withholding taxable profits from players. This tax goes a long way to support players with gambling problems and those affected by gambling in the state of PA.
Governor Tom Wolf, sworn-in in 2015, is PA’s 47th governor, helped legalize online gambling. In October 2017, Wolf signed House Bill 271, a bill designed to change the legalities of gaming within the state, principally online gambling and fantasy sports. Sports betting would also be legalized pending changes to the PASPA bill.
Among other activities, the PGCB releases annual report on the casino industry diversity. In the report, the Board details the actions taken by the entities to ensure the achievement of the goal of enhanced representation of diverse groups in the gaming industry. The report includes the statewide employment breakdowns for all the casinos operational during all or part of the fiscal year.
The changes in the legislation allowed the state to collect over $200 million in license fees and taxable profits from players in the first year, with taxable income to follow each year. This will also somewhat go towards balancing the state’s $2.3 billion budget deficit.
There are currently 18 casinos licensed to provide online gambling services in PA, with 17 fully-launched websites at the time of writing.
Gambling in Pennsylvania: Historical Timeline
2006: A Grand Opening
Opening originally as a racetrack on July 15, 1965, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs opened the first slot-machine parlor in Pennsylvania in 2006. Lawmakers in PA authorized gambling in order to raise money towards property tax relief in the state.
2010: Table Games Are On The Cards
After slot machines provided some relief towards the deficit faced by the state and continuous rising property taxes amid the 2008 financial collapse, the state decided to go forward with the legalization of table games. And so, in 2010, table games were seamlessly added to the gaming floor of eligible casinos.
2015: The Road To Online Gaming
Following the regulation of gambling to aid in the generation of taxes to balance the state budget, in 2015, the state of Pennsylvania introduced the SB 900, a bill addressing online gambling within the state, along with taxation rates, regulations, licenses, and permit fees and more. Taxation was proposed at a total of 54% on gross internet gaming revenue.
2017: HB 271 And The Path To Licensing
In 2017, HB 271 was passed, allowing the 12 land-based casinos currently operating in the state to start the licensing procedures to launch online casinos for players across the entire state to participate in online gambling.
2019: It Starts With Parx
In 2019, Parx Casino opened the first online casino, closely followed by PlaySugarHouse two days later. In the following two years, others followed. Players within state borders can now play online slots, table games, poker, and participate in sports betting.
How to Start Gambling Online Without Stressing About It?
Online gambling has many perks over traditional land-based casinos. It might be a little daunting at first, so let’s take a look at some of the benefits:
Play from the comfort of anywhere in the state;
Slot returns are typically much higher than in land-based casinos;
There are a wide variety of unique and exclusive slots available;
Track your gambling statistics easily;
Valuable welcome offers, recurring loyalty rewards, and promotional offers for returning customers;
Playing online is anonymous.
Starting gambling online can often be more accessible than registering as a new player at a land-based casino. Just follow these easy steps:
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Find a great welcome offer for the casino of your choice;
Be located in the state you are playing in;
Sign up to the casino using your details and SSN;
Fulfill the requirements of your promotional bonus;
Enjoy the benefits of playing online!
Safety and player protection is built into the foundation of licensed online casinos; here are some things to consider that might make you feel better about playing online:
The PGCB requires casinos to maintain player safety through rigorous audits;
Casinos have software to monitor unusual behavior;
Licensed casinos have deposit protection and protect player identity through industry-standard encryption.
Just like when playing at land-based casinos, it’s essential to stay safe when you play online. Here are some things to reflect on to stay safe while playing online:
Keep to your budget and know your limits;
Protect your identity and password when playing live-dealer games and talking in the chat;
Recognize if you have stopped enjoying gambling and could be developing a problem.
There are some casinos that you should avoid at all costs. Illegal offshore casinos are not concerned with protecting your finances or personal identities. Here are some reasons why you should play at online casinos that are fully licensed by the PGCB:
Offshore casinos have no deposit protection;
Illegal casinos will not go the extra mile to protect your personal information; some may even sell it to third parties;
Games are not audited and may be rigged in favor of the casino.
Casino Operators the PGCB Has Approved
The four following mini-reviews are some great choices for online gambling in PA. Each of the selected casinos has been granted a full license by the PGCB and is completely safe for players in terms of financial and personal protection.
Another excellent reason to play at these fully-licensed operators is the vast collection of games they offer. Including partnerships with giant software providers such as NetEnt and IGT, among others, they can offer PA players the best of global slot and table entertainment without having to deal with shady offshore organizations.
BetMGM
4.4/5
100% Up to $1,000 & $25 FREEPLAY®
Partnered with Hollywood Casino, BetMGM has linked with gaming providers such as SG Digital, NetEnt, and IGT to provide excellent diversity in their slots collection. BetMGM also hosts live-dealer, 24/7 table games such as roulette and blackjack through live-dealer platform Ezugi.
The casino, which also offers a loyalty bonus rewards program called iRewards, is currently offering new customers a $1,000, 100% deposit match with 15x wagering requirements, alongside a $25 Freeplay no deposit option that comes with just 1x wagering requirements.
Unibet
4.6/5
$10 Free Play Bonus
Again featuring offerings from NetEnt, IGN, and around 12 live-table options, Unibet has something for everyone in the casino section, along with a sports betting and poker offering on different parts of the site.
Partnered with Mohegan Sun Pocono, Unibet PA has iOS apps available for iPhone and iPad, along with a Google Play store offering available. Unibet warns that if you had an old version of the Unibet installed, you should delete it and get the new app as it will not be replaced automatically. Unibet provides new players with a $500, 100% deposit match with 10x wagering requirements alongside a $10 no deposit free casino bonus with wagering requirements of just 1x.
Caesars
3.6/5
100% Up to $1,000 - On First Deposit
Partnered with Harrah’s Philadelphia Racetrack, Caesars offers players the choice of classic table games and a number of virtual slots, with the exception of progressive jackpot slots.
Caesars offers one of the highest deposit matches in the industry, with players able to get a 100% deposit match up to a limit of $2021, with wagering requirements of just 10x. Caesars also offers players a rewarding yet straightforward loyalty program; players get one reward credit for every $10 played on slots and can trade in 1,000 reward credits for $10 cash. Players can enjoy the Caesars PA experience on their desktop or mobile devices.
BetRivers
4.8/5
100% Deposit Match Up to $250
BetRivers PA, partnered with Rivers Casino Philadelphia, offers players a large selection of slots from leading providers such as IGT, NetEnt, and Everi Games. On top of this, they offer incredible live-dealer options from the industry-leading provider of live-table games, Evolution Gaming.
BetRivers has a solid offer for new customers, too; a $250, 100% deposit match with just 1x wagering requirements that you can use to play on slots, video poker, or sports betting. This is considered an excellent bonus when most casinos in the industry have wagering requirements of over 10x. On top of this, BetRivers has a loyalty program named iRush Rewards, a system that rewards players with a tiered system that they can earn by spending money on their favorite games. Players can use rewards for free spins on the BetRivers bonus wheel and more.
What Payment Options Are Available for Pennsylvanian Players?
VIP Preferred ACH allows you to deposit and withdraw via e-check. This method tracks your withdrawals and transactions and keeps a running balance for you. This method is ideal as it will track all your transactions across all the casinos you use VIP Preferred ACH at.
PayPal is an industry-standard payment and withdrawal method. You can use your current PayPal balance to deposit or deposit directly from your credit or debit card. Withdrawals from PayPal should be fast and straightforward.
Online banking will vary from platform to platform. However, there will generally be a payment platform integrated with the casino that will allow you to transfer funds from your online banking platform directly to the casino.
Credit/Debit Card withdrawals and deposits will be available directly through a casino’s website. The time it takes to complete each transaction will vary based on your bank and each individual casino’s policy. Some credit card transactions may carry a small fee of around 3%.
Cage transactions are available to deposit methods for some online casinos. You must bring a government-issued photo ID to the cage in order to make both deposits and withdrawals.
PayNearMe allows you to deposit money with your casino at over 27,000 physical locations. When using this method, you will also be able to track your deposits.
Cutting-Edge Casino Games Are Accessible At One Click
As the industry has matured in Pennsylvania since the first licensed online casino in the state launched in 2019, more and more games have become available to players. When casinos partner with some of the biggest names in the online gaming market that have been dominating the scene in Europe for years, great things happen for PA players!
NetEnt is one of the biggest iGaming providers across the entire online gambling industry. With over 200 games available and 200 active customers using their software, if you have played slots at an online casino before, it is likely you might have tried a title from NetEnt.
International Game Technology (IGT) is a massive iGaming organization focused on digital betting, lottery, and iGaming. Providing PA casinos with top slot games that have been loved all around the globe before the online gambling industry in the United States developed.
With games like Wheel of Fortune on Tour boasting an impressive 96.60% RTP or the much loved IGT titles Cleopatra and Da Vinci Diamonds, IGT is a household name in the world of online gambling.
Evolution Gaming is the industry leader in providing live-dealer table games. Providing a vast selection of live casino games such as regular blackjack and roulette as well as themed versions such as Blackjack Party, designed for fun with low stakes and trained presenters, Evolution has something for everyone.
Many PA-based casinos use games from Evolution Gaming’s stunning collection to add an extra flair to their casino offerings, and some are even available 24/7.
Evolution even offers their ‘First Person’ titles in PA, a selection of high-quality 3D-rendered titles that can help immerse a player in action right from the comfort of their own device.
Most Popular Game Titles Available at PA Casinos
Starburst is an ever-popular slot released in 2012 by NetEnt, with low volatility and a good RTP of 96.09%. With lots of pay lines, the chance to win 5000x your bet, and the possibility of scoring lots of free spins while playing, it’s no wonder this slot is one of the most popular slots available across the globe.
Eagles Blackjack is a Unibet PA exclusive blackjack title that offers players the chance to immerse themselves in the Eagles fandom. Sports fans will enjoy blackjack at their own pace, with natural blackjacks paying 3 to 2 and dealers standing on all 17’s. Late surrender is also allowed in Eagle’s blackjack.
Cleopatra brings an average RTP of 95.02%, with players able to multiply their bets by a massive 10,000x. Players began spinning on Cleopatra back in 2012 when IGT released the title across Europe. After triggering three or more Sphinx Scatter symbols on the board, players will earn 15 free spins. If you land more Scatter symbols as you play your free spins, you’ll add another 15 free spins up to a maximum of 180!
With a Free Spins Bonus feature allowing players to get up to 300 free spins, Davinci Diamonds by IGT is an excellent low-medium volatility slot with an RTP of 94.94% and a maximum win of 5000x your bet amount. Players can also enjoy the renaissance Davinci era-themed aesthetics of this slot.
Join in the fun with a limitless number of blackjack players at a live table with Infinite Blackjack. With four side bets available for players and the company of many other like-minded bettors, you can be sure to find a social experience if you are looking for one. There is no more waiting for seats at the live table with Infinite Blackjack!
The Best Casinos in Pennsylvania – Based on Real Players’ Reviews
There are currently 14 land-based casinos in the state of Pennsylvania that offer table games, poker, and a wide array of slot machines.
Although covid affected each of the casinos listed in various ways, each is now fully open to the public with multiple safety measures in place. For example, some require a mask to be worn at all times, while others have lifted the requirements for those who are fully vaccinated following government health advice.
The online casino industry did affect these land-based casinos with their accessibility, huge array of games, including online-exclusive slots, and of course, availability during the Covid pandemic. However, some say that online casinos can’t replace the thrill of walking to a casino floor.
For those that still want to experience land-based casinos, we have rounded up five locations in PA that you might be interested in!
Mohegan Sun Pocono
With 4 out of 5 stars and over 8,000 reviews on Google, Mohegan Sun has 82,000 square feet of gambling space, over 1,900 slot machines, 50 table games, and live harness racing, set on 240 acres of reservation land.
Set in Mt Pocono, Mount Airy Casino has over 9,600 reviews on Google with a 4-star overall rating, offering guests golf, casino games, slots, and sports betting right on the resort.
Cell: +1 877-682-4791
Opening hours: 24/7
Hollywood Casino at Penn
National Race Course
Offering horse racing all year round and over 2,300 slots and 56 tables, there’s something to do for everyone at PNRC. Accumulating over 8,000 reviews on Google with an average of 4 stars, other players also love it!
Offering a vast array of over 3,000 slot machines with bet values from 1 cent to $100 and a whopping 150 table games, it’s no wonder Wind Creek has amassed over 12,000 google reviews with an average of 4.1 stars!
Cell: +1 484-777-7777
Opening hours: 24/7
Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia
Boasting 2,200 slot machines, over 150 table games, and a 29 table poker room on a 1.5m square foot resort, Live! Casino has accumulated over 2,400 Google reviews with an overall rating of 4.1.
Cell: +1 833-472-5483
Opening hours: 24/7
Get Help for Problem Gambling
Because gambling can directly affect your finances, it’s important to track your time and money spent playing to ensure you are having fun gambling and not developing a problem.
There are many accessible sources of advice out there for Pennsylvanian-based gamblers. If you feel like you are developing a problem or have had issues with gambling in the past, it would be wise to consult the information provided by the websites below.
We have created a small roundup of the details of each and what they do.
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania
The CCGP is a nonprofit that aims to educate players, spread awareness and information on gambling and gambling problems, and refer those who need help to specialists.
Cell: 1-800-GAMBLER
The National Council on Problem Gambling
The NCPG aims to be the national advocate for programs and services assisting those affected by gambling. They project a neutral opinion on legalized gambling and aim to educate players and organizations on problem gambling.
The Board’s Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling
This is the official PGCB website. With information available in several languages, ResponsiblePlay PA provides players with information on how to access low or no-cost problem gambling treatment, along with details on how to help a loved one or help yourself.
Call: 1-800-522-4700
FAQ
Is online gambling legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes! The first fully legal and licensed online casinos began accepting customers in July 2019, starting with Parx Casino and Hollywood Casino. Many others followed in the next two years. As of today, the competition is strong within the online gambling industry, which is excellent news for players.
How many licensed PA online casinos are out there?
There are 18 casinos fully licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to offer casino games, slots, and poker.
What is the legal age for gambling in Pennsylvania?
The legal age for gambling in Pennsylvania is 21. Gambling in casinos will require a government-issued photo ID. Gambling online requires the last four digits of the player’s SSN to confirm age and the physical requirement of being located in the state when playing.
Do PA Online Casinos Have Promotional Offers?
Yes, online casinos face stiff competition with each other to capture the share of online PA gamblers, and so they offer incentives in the way of promotional offers for new sign-ups, as well as other offers and loyalty reward programs for registered customers. Players may receive matched deposits, free spins, no deposit bonus cash, and more.
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