Pennsylvania Sports Betting Laws

Even though many states are just now starting to introduce bills and potential legislation to legalize sports betting, PA was years ahead of the game. Back in 2017, Representative Jason Ortitay introduced PA H 271,a House bill that would legalize gambling on sports in the event that the federal law PASPA got overturned. The bill was signed into law in October of that same year. Then, in May of 2018, PASPA was repealed and sports betting became officially legal in the state.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board was given the task to create regulations, approve applications, and will continue to oversee the industry moving forward. All licenses were granted after paying an initial $10 million-dollar fee and the number of sportsbooks in PA still continues to increase throughout the second half of 2019.

The law also allowed mobile betting to exist in the state. PA residents (and tourists looking to get in on the action) don’t need to register in person, as seen in some states. Keep in mind however that federal laws prevent the sportsbooks from accepting action outside of PA state lines. Therefore, with the geolocation technology, the book will only allow you to submit a wager when you are physically inside the state. This does not apply to online offshore sportsbooks since there is nothing in the state or federal laws that restrict offshore betting locations.

Where To Legally Bet On Sports In Pennsylvania

If you enjoy the physical sportsbook experience more than betting online, you will find several options in PA that will suit your needs. Each one of these sports betting venues comes with a different aesthetic and different location so you can find a gaming establishment that’s either convenient for you or as luxurious as your heart desires. Even though the number of casinos accepting sports bets in the state continues to grow, offshore sportsbooks are still the most common way for players to bet on sports and definitely provide the best odds. Most sports enthusiasts will use the local books to bet on the local teams heavily influencing the vigorish or even moving the line in general. Still, these are the options for legal sports betting in Pennsylvania.

Just outside of Hershey and about 15 minutes north of Harrisburg sits Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. “It’s always game time here” is their slogan, which is fitting considering they are open until midnight or later every day. Located on the second floor near the Skybox Sports Bar, you will find the sports betting lounge featuring a 50’ wall space dedicated just to watching games. Additionally, the book has monitors displaying live odds and soon enough, you will be able to sit in the lounge itself. Until then, make a wager and head over to the Skybox to grab a cocktail or food item.

Rivers Sportsbook opens as early as 9 am on the weekends and will stay open past 2 am on select nights. This was the first sportsbook in the Pittsburgh region and has an elegant feel to it. Their lounge style seats face a plethora of TVs displaying the betting board and you can make as many bets at the ticket window as you’d like. Horse racing is not available at the book but you can find it easy to bet on sports such as football, baseball, and basketball at the ticketing window through a ticket writer or by a self-service kiosk. Located next to the 446 Club, Rivers Sportsbook makes betting on any sporting event a fun hobby.

“Philly loves a winner” and you can become on at Sugarhouse Casino. Join the book during a Phillies baseball game and find drink specials and hot dog deals within the lounge. The sportsbook also has a full menu, which includes pizza, burgers, chicken wings, French dips, and a variety of cocktails. Of course, you can also get a Geno’s cheesesteak or breakfast, which can be ordered through your phone or from the server. Away from the food, Sugarhouse was Philadelphia’s first sportsbook and is in the process of creating a permanent sports betting lounge. Until then, bettors are able to request a seat at the sportsbook in any of the plush seats that face over two dozen TVs.

Luxury is the only word that comes to mind when discussing Parx Casino sportsbook. The hundreds of comfortable stadium seats as well as private television monitors, a tv wall extending one entire wall of the venue, and ticket windows, self-service kiosks, and mobile betting make spots betting extremely easy. This is only planning in the works at the current moment, but betting is available in the meantime at the Bensalem location. Betting types range from spreads, moneylines, over/unders, props, parlays, and teasers across a variety of professional and collegiate sports such as basketball, golf, soccer, MMA, and much more.

The South Philadelphia Race & Sportsbook is located directly next to the Phillies home field, the Eagles home field, and the Flyers/76ers home ice/gym. Betting comes in a variety of choices, as straight bets, props, parlays, and more rule the book, which is open until 11 pm or later every day. Of course, you can also find great food items throughout the casino, but the Turf Club offers stadium food, pizzas, and even baby back ribs. Be sure to grab a bite and a seat to watch the hometown teams with all of the local fans.

The Book at Harrah’s Philadelphia has everything and more you need to bet on sporting events and enjoy the games simultaneously. The casino boasts its better-than-stadium lounge seats as well as provides high-top tables and custom bar seating for those looking to get in on the action. With 45 TVs throughout The Book, whatever you are looking for will be showing somewhere. Be sure to grab a drink behind the brick bar or grab a seat near the table games. The sportsbook is open starting at 11 am (10 am on the weekends) and closes whenever the games are over.

The FanDuel Sportsbook at Valley Forge Casino Resort is open but has plans to expand the area. With seven betting windows, over two-dozen TVs and tickers posting the latest odds, you will surely enjoy what FanDuel has to offer. From betting on pro baseball to boxing and even motorsports, FanDuel does not limit the types of wagers nor sporting events you can bet on. The book is open until 1 am during the week, 2 am on Friday and Saturday, but closes before midnight on Sunday; however, these hours are subject to change depending on the flow of betting and game schedules.

Located just north of Valley Forge National Historic Park, this sportsbook isn’t as fancy as the bigtime casinos, but it certainly gets the job done. Whether you decide to sit at the bar or at one of the few dozen four-tops, you will have a great view of both the odds board and the TV screens. This is the place to go if you want betting action on horses and sports, as the venue serves as an off-track betting parlor as well. Renamed in March 2019 from Valley Forge Turf Club, the Oaks Race & Sportsbook offers action on college sports and plenty more professional sports

Owned by Churchill Downs, the Presque Isle Casino offers a BetAmerica branded sportsbook. With 50 self-service sports betting kiosks located throughout the casino, betting on sports at Presque Isle is extremely simple to navigate. The sportsbook itself opened on July 24 for the required two-day trial period and fully launched operations on July 26, 2019. Comprising of over 1,200 square feet, the sportsbook at Presque Isle is located next to the poker room and the simulcast horse racing area. If locating the area is becoming difficult, look for the 50 HD TVs surrounding the lounge.

Legal Age To Bet On Sports In Pennsylvania

According to state law, the legal age to bet on sports in Pennsylvania is 21, which is also the state’s casino gambling age. For mobile betting within the state, an age of 21 is still required. The online offshore sportsbooks that many residents use now only accept players that are 18 or older. However, even though it might be tempting to get a three-year head start using this option, it is always recommended that you stick with the gambling ages assigned by the state.

Betting On Horse Racing In PA

Betting on horse racing in Pennsylvania has been legal ever since the Race Horse Industry Reform Act was signed into law in 1959. Title 3 Subchapter B offers a comprehensive guide as to the legality of pari-mutuel wagering and the rules of the activity in the state. All the racetracks must adhere to the State Horse Racing Commission and must obtain a license from them in order to offer bets on their races. PA racetracks do have the freedom to offer interstate simulcasts so that you can bet on races that are happening outside of Pennsylvania. You also don’t necessarily have to be at the race course either because off-track pari-mutuel wagering is legal.

However, horse racing in Pennsylvania is something that you may want to see in person. The state is home to top-notch racinos such as the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, Presque Isle Downs and Casino, and the Meadows Racetrack and Casino. There you will be able to watch live races but also have access to luxury simulcast areas, fine dining, and bar options as well. If you’re not able to make it to one of these racinos, the same offshore betting sites that will accept your sports bets will also have the same quality racebooks available as well. This makes horse race betting in Pennsylvania available anywhere you have an internet connection.