In November of 2018, the state of Pennsylvania opened its doors for sports gambling and quickly added on mobile wagering as well for a complete package that has already proven to be a boon for the state. There is a total of six sports betting apps that can be used for making wagers in the state of Pennsylvania. With a population of 12.8 million and bordering populous sports hotbed states such as Ohio, New York, Maryland, and New Jersey, Pennsylvania is a natural for sports gambling and unlimited growth in that industry.
You must be 21 years of age or older to bet on sports in the state of Pennsylvania legally. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board oversees sports betting in the state. The following brick and mortar casinos either offer an in-person sportsbook or have applied for a license to do so. Their sports gambling supplier/partner is in parentheses: Hollywood (William Hill), Sugar House (Kambi), Rivers (Kambi), Parx (Kambi), South Philadelphia Turf Club (Kambi), Harrah’s Philadelphia (Scientific Games), Valley Forge (FanDuel), Valley Forge Race and Sportsbook (Kambi), Mohegan Sun Pocono (Unibet), Mount Airy (BetStars), Presque Isle Downs (CDI)
The state of Pennsylvania offers wagering on all pro and college sports. The options include pro and college football, pro and college basketball, pro hockey, pro baseball, soccer, auto racing, boxing, mixed martial arts, and golf. The great news for college football and basketball gamblers is that there are no restrictions for betting on the intrastate teams, as is the case in states like New Jersey. Horse racing is also available for betting action.
However, there is no action for items such as elections, the Oscars, or esports. There is also no wagering offered on the NFL Draft. Those employed by a professional sports league cannot bet on those sports that they work for. You can make sports wagers on straight bets, over-under totals, money line bets, prop bets, futures, parlays, and teasers in the state of Pennsylvania.
Links and banners to our top five sportsbooks and links to those sportsbook reviews:
April 2021 brought the good news that Pennsylvania saw a dramatic spike in sports gaming in March 2021. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament was the catalyst for the upswing. It didn’t hurt that the Philadelphia-based Villanova Wildcats made the Big Dance and are a perennial Final Four contender. Over $560 was wagered on sports in the state of Philadelphia for the month of March. Pennsylvania generated the third most betting handle of any state that offered sports gambling in March.
In mid-March 2021, it was announced that the February sports betting handle was down in Pennsylvania. In most states, this was the case, as sports was in its transition month, going from the NFL Playoffs to March Madness college basketball. By contrast, in January 2021, Pennsylvania generated a whopping $600 million in sports betting revenue.
Pro football is huge in the state, with the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers commanding massive followings. This state culture translates into football betting revenue that rivals any state in the union. In January 2021, it was announced that December was a then-record month in Pennsylvania for sports betting. The climax of the NFL regular season is why.
College football is another huge draw for Pennsylvania sports gambling. The Penn State Nittany Lions are a national brand and perennial contender in the Big Ten Conference. So too are the University of Pittsburgh Panthers, a Power Five college football program. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and West Virginia Mountaineers generate plenty of interest too.
Mobile betting in the state of Pennsylvania began in May of 2019. Nearly all of the best-known and most popular sports betting apps are available. Registration is easy and can be done from anywhere online. To place bets online in Pennsylvania, you must first register at the sportsbook(s) of your choice. Simple and basic information is needed for registration. Those would include your name, email address, last four of your social security number, and location. Also, know that an ID check will be necessary after you make a deposit. As long as you are physically located in the state of Pennsylvania, you can wager on sports from your mobile device.