Pennsylvania Online Casino
Online gambling has finally been allowed in Pennsylvania. This is good news to gamblers in “The Keystone State”, considering that several online casinos and sports-books have gone live in the area and many more are expected to come soon. Read on to learn about developments in online casinos in PA, the legality of gambling, eligibility for playing in online casinos, deposit and cash out methods at PA online casinos, and the games to expect in PA online casinos.
Is Gambling Legal in PA?
On Oct. 26, 2017, the Gov. Of PA, Tom Wolf, ascended to the PA Gambling Expansion bill to legalize sports betting, online casino games, online poker, and the daily fantasy sports. To tell the difference between a legal and an illegal online casino, players check if the site is licensed and regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).
Employees of platform providers and licensees are prohibited from gambling. Also, anybody who is barred from playing in land-based casinos, as well as persons who choose to self-exclude from gambling, cannot play in PA online casinos.
What PA Online Casinos Have Gone Live?
Several online casinos are now open. The number of games available may be limited, but players should keep checking back, with the library being constantly updated. Currently, three online casinos are up and running in PA:
- SugarHouse PA: was launched on July 15, 2019
- Parx Online Casino: was launched on July 15, 2019
- Hollywood Casino PA: was launched on July 17, 2019
All the above casinos are mobile-friendly, and users can access them via iOS, Android, and other supported mobile devices.
Other PA Casinos Planning to Offer Online Gambling
Here is a rundown of conditionally approved online casinos that are expected to launch soon:
- Harrah’s Casino
- Mohegan Sun Pocono
- Wind Creek, formerly Sands Bethlehem
- Mount Airy
- Presque Isle Downs
- Valley Forge
Harrah’s Casino, which partners with 888 to provide online services, is expected to launch online between October and November 2019.
PA Online Sportsbooks
The online gambling sphere is wide, with also five PA online sportsbooks to choose from.
- PlaySugarHouse
- Parx Online Sportsbook
- BetRivers
- Fox Bet
- FanDuel Sportsbook
Eligibility
The minimum age of gambling in PA is 21 years or 18 years in a lottery. Gamblers must be physically located within the borders of the state, as is the case with NJ. However, patrons are allowed to bet in PA, even if they are just passing through Pennsylvania for a short period. They need to provide honest information given that their age and IDs are verified before they are allowed to gamble. People with certain criminal convictions may be prohibited from gambling in PA, whether in person or online.
How Do Websites Know That a Player Is in PA?
Many if not all casinos use third-party geolocation programs to determine if players are in a certain region. Features installed in Android or iOS apps as well as in web browser extensions, which players must install, can tell if a casino player is in PA or not.
Registering with Multiple PA Online Gambling Sites
Players can sign up for as many online casinos, poker sites, and sportsbooks as they please on condition that they one create one account with each license holder. Having accounts with different sites comes with lots of perks, given that each site gives sign-up bonuses and specific promotions.
Games Available at Pennsylvania Online Casinos
The law gives the regulators the authority to approve or reject the games offered by a casino. The games found in PA casinos mirror those in other online casinos as shown in the list below:
1. Slots, which include but are not limited to:
- Cleopatra
- Quick Hits
- Wheel of Fortune
2. Table games:
- Baccarat
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Pai Gow
- Craps
- Three Card Poker
- Video poker
- Let It Ride
The gambling unique taxation structure favors table games and seems too hard on slot play, which explains why table games are many when compared to slot games.
PA Online Casinos Live Dealer Games
Casinos in PA are legalized to offer live dealer games. But no launched online casino offers this game and it is expected that PGCB will offer the games any time soon.
Bonuses and Promotions at PA Online Casinos
Most online casinos in PA offer sign up and welcome bonuses. Other bonuses to expect include deposit and reload bonuses, free spins, free plays, and tournaments.
Payment Methods for Pennsylvania Online Casinos
Depositing and cashing out money at PA online casinos is easy. Most sites begin with a few payment options but eventually expand to suit different users. Popular payment methods for PA casinos include:
- Credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, and Amex
- Prepaid cards supplied by the casino
- Electronic checks
- PayNearMe for use at 7-Eleven and other retail stores
- E-Wallets such as PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill will be introduced soon
The mode of withdrawal usually matches the method used to make deposits.