As of January 2025, Pennsylvania has the fifth-largest lifetime sports betting handle. This page is a beginner’s guide to the Pennsylvania sports betting industry, covering what PA sportsbooks are available, signup processes, bonus information, and more.
Pennsylvania has always been at the forefront of sports betting action, passing a bill to legalize sports gambling in 2017, a year before the Supreme Court’s PASPA reversal. When the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act decision came down in May 2018, states were allowed to decide for themselves whether to allow sports betting.
As a result of SCOTUS’s decision, the first retail sports bet in PA came in November 2018; the first online bet came six months later.
Today, 11 online sportsbooks are live in Pennsylvania with another 14 in-person betting locations throughout the state. Residents and visitors who are at least 21 years old are welcome to participate in either capacity.
On this page, we aim to provide a broad overview of the Pennsylvania sports betting industry. We’ll do this by showcasing several top operators, explaining how betting bonuses work, listing available gambling options, and providing links to responsible gambling resources.
Below are five of the sportsbooks BettorInGreen.com has deemed the best in Pennsylvania. These options were chosen for their quality gambling interfaces, ease of use, performance reliability, bonus frequency and variety, selection of available sports, and more.
DraftKings Sportsbook Pennsylvania launched its company in the daily fantasy sports space, providing sports enthusiasts with an alternative to sports betting before PASPA was overturned. The user base reached well into the millions, positioning DraftKings for success once sports gambling was legalized.
Today, DraftKings is one of the most-used sportsbooks in Pennsylvania, with users taking advantage of the bookie’s broad selection of live-betting markets on the platform. The mobile app is incredibly easy to use and learn, making it a great choice for novice gamblers.
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: DraftKings Sportsbook Pennsylvania provides some of the most useful bonuses in the industry and makes promotions available frequently. If you’ve allowed promotional emails, DK will have something new in your inbox nearly every day, so take advantage of the chances to win more money!
ESPN Bet replaced Barstool Sportsbook in November 2023 after parent company PENN Entertainment struck a 10-year, $2 billion deal with the “Worldwide Leader in Sports” for branding rights. Though ESPN does not set lines or accept wagers, many of the network’s on-air talents provide betting content for the bookie.
We’ve found ESPN’s mobile app to be a more convenient and user-friendly to gamble, though the web interface is still reasonable. We recommend ESPN Bet register for the PENN Play Rewards program to earn loyalty points with every wager they make
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: ESPN Bet has far surpassed the Barstool Sportsbook operation despite the nuts and bolts of the platform being quite similar. We expect ESPN Bet Sportsbook Pennsylvania will continue to improve both the mobile app and web interfaces and make an impact in the Pennsylvania market.
Caesars Sportsbook Pennsylvania runs a retail operation at Harrah’s Philadelphia, giving users multiple ways to reap the benefits. Speaking of perks, Caesars’ Rewards program can help you earn many lucrative perks including betting bonuses, entertainment tickets, discounted casino stays for your in-person gambling activities, shopping discounts, and more!
Another strong trait Caesars offers is live-streaming of events through the website and mobile app, especially for select NFL games. Caesars also has some of the highest dollar amounts for bonus credits on welcome offers
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: We generally recommend Caesars for higher-stakes sports bettors than for casual gamblers, but it has plenty to offer for players off all experience levels and bankrolls. The online casino platform will also be a popular choice for Pennsylvania gamblers.
BetRivers is a true Pennsylvania sportsbook, getting its start at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. Since launching in March 2020, BetRivers has expanded to 14 other states while providing a high-quality gambling experience for sports bettors and online casino fans alike.
In 2024, BetRivers overhauled its website and mobile app to modernize the look and feel of the platform while also speeding up the load times and fixing other bugs to become one of the elite interfaces. The iRush rewards program is a nice touch, and the online casino’s massive selection of games offers something for everyone.
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: Overall, we found BetRivers to be an enjoyable sportsbook to use, and we recommend including it in your gambling rotation, especially when odds shopping. The niche market coverage is a huge benefit.
Rounding out our Top 5 list is FanDuel Sportsbook Pennsylvania, which is an appropriate bookend to DraftKings given the two jockey for the top sports betting handle in Pennsylvania every month. FanDuel also began as a daily fantasy sports site but has evolved into a powerhouse in the sports gambling and online casino spaces, too.
FanDuel’s mobile app is the highest-rated in the industry in both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The same game parlay (SGP) lines are abundant and offer tons of flexibility in crafting your betting slip, though the premade parlays are also available and worthy of consideration.
Bettor In Green’s Opinion: FanDuel’s prop betting markets are impressive, same game parlay availability is outstanding, and the customer service encounters we’ve had were pleasant and prompt in answering our questions. It is a well-rounded option that checks nearly all the boxes
Explore the other Pennsylvania sportsbooks below.
bet365 gets users in the virtual doors with some of the lowest eligibility requirements for welcome bonuses in the industry and keeps them around with a massive selection of 30 sports to choose from (soccer markets in particular are a huge draw).
However, Bettor In Green has noticed bet365 Sportsbook PA performs better on Apple devices and the desktop site than on Android devices.
BetMGM has shown some of the most player-friendly odds among PA sportsbooks, helping it to maintain a strong level of competitiveness in the state.
We’ve also found BetMGM Sportsbook PA to frequently be the first to post odds and lines for futures bets; the rewards program is a nice touch as well.
betPARX is one of the smaller operations nationally, serving just three states outside of Pennsylvania (Maryland, Michigan, and New Jersey); it also does not provide 24/7 customer support.
However, despite its size, betPARX Sportsbook PA offers markets for 25 sports and frequently delivers in bonus frequency.
Fanatics Sportsbook PA is an extension of the memorabilia company of the same name, with many sportsbook promotions tied to Fanatics’ merchandise operation.
The sportsbook is only available through a mobile application, limiting its upside, but we appreciate the opportunity to use FanCash for betting bonuses and retail purchases alike.
SugarHouse operates under the same parent company as BetRivers (Rush Street Interactive), giving the mobile app and web browser a nearly identical aesthetic.
However, the SugarHouse brand is only accessible in Pennsylvania, so it takes a backseat to BetRivers’ wider-reaching platform. It was the first operator to accept an online wager in PA.
Finally, Wind Creek Sportsbook launched in 2020 with support from U.K.-based bookmaker Betfred.
The dual casino/sportsbook app carries the Wind Creek name while providing the same high degree of sports coverage that has made Betfred a strong option across the pond.
The process of placing a sports wager in Pennsylvania will vary slightly depending on which bookmaker you’re using, but in general, the process should look something like this:
From new launches to legal updates, here’s what’s happening in Pennsylvania sports betting:
Pennsylvania legislators established a legal framework for sports betting (Title 4, Chapter 13C) in 2017, months ahead of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn PASPA. This allowed the first in-person sports wagers to be placed in November 2018, with online wagers launching six months later.
Gamblers in Pennsylvania must be at least 21 years old to participate in sports betting. Those who wager in person may have their wagers denied if they are visibly intoxicated.
Additionally, you are allowed to bet on college sports in Pennsylvania, including on in-state schools. However, you won’t be able to gamble on player props.
Here are a few of the important moments in the history of sports betting in Pennsylvania.
Current PA Sportsbooks, Alphabetically
Former PA Sportsbooks, Alphabetically
Pennsylvania promotions and bonuses are the driving force behind sportsbook registrations. They are excellent tools for sportsbooks to attract new users and encourage activity from existing participants.
Most bonuses are now opt-in offers, so you’ll be able to claim them without the use of a promo code.
Here are a few of the most commonly offered types of promotions at PA sports betting sites:
Mobile sports betting has helped online sports betting take off, with roughly 90% of sports bets placed from a mobile device. With that in mind, it’s important to ensure the betting app(s) you choose are reliable and worth your investment.
Here are the Apple App Store and Google Play Store ratings for Pennsylvania sports betting apps.
| Sportsbook | Apple App Store Rating | Google Play Store Rating |
|---|---|---|
| bet365 Sportsbook | 4.8/5 | 4.7/5 |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | 4.8/5 | 4.4/5 |
| betPARX Sportsbook | 2.9/5 | 3.7/5 |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | 4.8/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | 4.7/5 | 4.4/5 |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | 4.8/5 | 4.4/5 |
| ESPN Bet Sportsbook | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | 4.8/5 | 4.7/5 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | 4.9/5 | 4.7/5 |
| SugarHouse Sportsbook | 4.9/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Wind Creek Casino (Betfred) | 3.3/5 | 4.2/5 |
Sports betting winnings are eligible to be taxed in Pennsylvania, so you’ll need to report your totals on your state and federal returns. Fortunately, if you are itemizing your returns, you’ll be able to deduct your losses while filing.
Pennsylvania’s tax on gambling winnings is a flat 3.07% rate. This is in addition to the 24% federal withholding tax.
Additionally, sportsbooks are taxed at 36% of their net revenue. Gambling tax revenue funds many projects around Pennsylvania, including economic development, property tax relief, agricultural initiatives, and responsible gambling treatment/addiction prevention efforts.
Responsible gambling is a term that encompasses all efforts to prevent matters of gambling addiction and compulsion. It is a two-way street, with betting operators and gamblers sharing the responsibility of installing and utilizing safeguards while being well-informed of the risks associated with betting activities.
Pennsylvania bettors can practice responsible gambling by utilizing self-awareness and self-discipline in making wagers to ensure they are always betting within their means. They should also set limits on the amount of time and money they can spend using betting sites, using a “cool down” period if needed.
According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, 1 in 100 U.S. adults is at risk of developing a gambling addiction. With more states legalizing gambling (especially sports betting) and expanding betting access, this figure is projected to rise.
The following gambling assistance resources are available to Pennsylvania gamblers:
Pennsylvania also established a gambling self-exclusion program, allowing individuals to fully abstain from all betting activities, remove themselves from promotional lists, and subject themselves to legal penalties for gambling or attempting to gamble at an online or retail betting facility.
The voluntary self-exclusion program is an extreme but effective measure. We strongly encourage those who are at risk of developing (or are already working through) a gambling addiction to apply for the program (it’s free!) and stay on the list once their application is approved.
With three Pennsylvania sportsbooks closing since July 2023, it’s fair to wonder whether more closures could be on the way. Bettor In Green feels more closures are unlikely due to PA’s strong sports betting numbers, instead attributing these shutdowns to market stabilization rather than a lack of interest.
Pennsylvania crossed the $30 billion lifetime betting handle mark late in 2024, and should continue to set new records in 2025; we’re anticipating the first monthly total of more than $1 billion to occur sometime this year.
New York, New Jersey, Nevada, and Illinois are the only states with a larger lifetime handle than Pennsylvania. All of them are more than $10 billion ahead, so it will take some time for PA to catch the totals from those states.
Pennsylvania’s sports betting scene is thriving, and the lifetime handle numbers show that trend should continue. With 11 online operators and 14 in-person sports gambling locations, PA residents and visitors have ample opportunities to make their wagers and collect their winnings.
Now that you’ve learned a bit more about the sports betting opportunities available to you, it’s time to get registered and begin making your bets! Check out our sportsbook review pages for a more in-depth look at Pennsylvania sports betting sites so you can find the bookies that best fit your gambling objectives.
You may also want to sign up for the Betor In Green Cheat Sheets, which provide matchup insights and prop analysis for NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL games. These cheat sheets are updated daily with short-term and season-long trend data and can be yours for the low cost of $4.99/month.
Good luck, have fun, and always gamble responsibly!!
No, there are no restrictions on betting on Pennsylvania college teams. Wagers on in-state schools are allowed under state law, but you won’t be able to bet on player props (team-based wagers only).
If you have a dispute with a Pennsylvania sportsbook, you should first review the terms of service to verify you are justified in your issue. Should you be in the right after verifying, you should contact the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board at casinocomplaints@pa.gov. The more detailed a report you file when contacting the PGCB, the more likely you are to reach a favorable resolution.
Yes, tourists can participate in sports betting in Pennsylvania as long as you’re at least 21 years old. If you’ve already registered in your home state, you’ll likely be able to use your same account, though you may need to download a state-specific version of a betting app. Otherwise, you’ll need to set up an account to bet online or have your ID to bet in person.
Sports betting odds in Pennsylvania are determined by sportsbooks using a series of complex algorithms and analyses. The odds and lines change based on the betting action, which includes the number of wagers made and the dollar amounts wagered on each potential outcome.
Yes, you can bet on international sports from Pennsylvania sportsbooks. Each PA operator covers international leagues and competitions to varying degrees, so you’ll want to review in advance what markets are available to you before attempting to place a wager.
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