Pennsylvania Online Betting

In early 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that individual states can offer sports betting. New Jersey, West Virginia, Delaware, and Mississippi lead the way when it comes to sportsbooks that offer betting services. Is online sports betting legal in PA, what are the best online sports within its state borders, and what steps should you follow when placing bets online in PA?

Legality of Sports Betting in Pennsylvania

In 2017, the law was passed to legalize sports betting and online casino in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) regulates PA sports betting. Online betting is quite different in that the PGCB thoroughly vets a sportsbook, especially its website and app, before it goes live. In October 2018, the PGCB gave sports betting licenses to Parx Casino, which is owned by Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment, and Penn National Racecourse’s Hollywood Casino. SugarHouse was the first book to go live in Pennsylvania. This was in May 2019 after completing the testing period. And soon after, other sportsbooks followed.

The Best Online Sportsbooks in Pennsylvania

Most of the best sportsbooks in PA have added online sports betting elements to their operations to reach out to many bettors. This is through partnering with world-renowned experts and software providers. The following sportsbooks in PA offer online and/or mobile services:

• SugarHouse Casino
• Parx Casino
• Hollywood Casino
• Valley Forge
• BetRivers
• Harrah’s Philadelphia
• Fox Bet

Betting on Your Portable Device

Pennsylvania is the fourth state in the USA to allow mobile sports betting. Many sportsbooks have mobile-friendly sites. Once you prove that you are 21 years or older, you can place bets on your favorite sports. However, you need to be within the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania to successfully place your bet.

Steps to Placing a Bet in Pennsylvania

1. Registration

As with other sportsbooks, you need to sign up or register by providing your basic information, which includes name, email address, location, and the last four digits Social Security number.

2. Deposit

Unless the book offers free bets for new customers, players are required to fund their accounts. Ultimately, there are ID checks to prove that you are a real person and prevent any fraudulent activities.

3. Find Bets

Given that there are lots of games to play, you need to find the sport and specific game you want to bet on. Simply navigate through the site to find your bet.

4. Place Bets

Once you determine which sport you want to try your luck in, key in the amount to bet, and place your bet.

5. Settle Bet

Lastly, you need to wait until the match is over for your bet to be settled. If you win, money and bonus funds are made available in your account. You may consider withdrawing the money or leave for another bet.

Live Betting

Many sportsbooks have introduced live betting options for users to place bets on certain games as they occur. The odds are bound to change as the match continues, but still, you follow the same process to place bets.

Popular Sports to Bet on in PA

High chances are that you will find your favorite sports in online sportsbooks in Pennsylvania. Here’s a countdown of the most popular sports and their prop bets you can bet on online:

• NHL: popular bets include spreads, the first player to score, correct scores, and period betting.
• NFL: NFL bets include totals for individual matches, totals for the day, spreads, and first goal scorer.
• NBA: Popular prop bets for NBA include, among others, money lines, totals, and spreads.
• MLB: the prop bets available for MLB include hits and errors, hits and combination, strikeouts, and others.
• Horse betting
• NCAAF/NCAAB: the law allows you to bet on college football and basketball.

Payment methods Pennsylvania Sportsbooks

Depositing and withdrawing from online sportsbooks is simple. And you have lots of options to choose from.

• Prepaid Cards

Prominent books have their own branded debit cards.

• Debit/Credit Cards

This includes Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

• E-Wallets

PayPal, which is the most popular eWallet solution, Skrill, and Neteller.

• PayNearMe

Pay cash at all 7-Eleven stores

• Money Orders/Wire Transfer

Use this method for large sums of money

Be sure to check with the online sportsbooks to ascertain if they accept your preferred mode of payment.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online Sports Betting Site

Different sportsbooks, whether they operate in person or online, offer different perks, and not each of them will be your best choice. If you are not experienced in online gambling and gaming, consider choosing a site that has a simple layout, which makes it easy to navigate.

Also, check the types of bets and how quickly you can place wagers. You want to go for a site that offers the best bonuses and promotions. For downloadable apps, go for the ones which are compatible with your devices. It may be Android, iOS, Windows, or any other app. Customer supports is crucial when it comes to online betting, so choose a sportsbook that has a myriad of support channels, including live chat and phone support.