Online Casinos in Pennsylvania

Casinos and Gambling History in Pennsylvania 

Casinos are popular throughout the United States, but Pennsylvania’s gambling and casino industry is young. It was only in 2004 that casinos became legal in the state. Even though it’s a relatively new industry in Pennsylvania, it had a huge boom and quickly became a powerhouse. 

In less than 20 years, the Pennsylvania casino industry has become the second-largest casino industry in the United States behind Nevada. The sector only grew further with the legalization of online casinos thanks to the gambling extension law in 2017. Here’s a quick look at some important historical moments in Pennsylvania casino history: 

• 2017: Online casino games became legal, allowing the states’ 12 casinos to allow online gambling. It also allowed for online sportsbook wagering and other video terminals in the form of mini-casinos to open.
• 2018: Sports wagering became legal in many Pennsylvania casinos, and more online platforms began to launch. 
• 2019: More than five online casinos launched, and PA online poker officially arrived in the state. 
• 2020: More online casinos opened thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing people to gamble without leaving their homes and risking infection. 
• 2021: Stardust, Barstool, Borgata Casino, and more opened in Pennsylvania. Penn National Gaming became the revenue leader in Pennsylvania with four online casinos. 
• 2022: The state’s 18th online casino opened with more planning to open in the following year. 

Online Casinos in Pennsylvania

There are several licensed casinos in Pennsylvania. These licensed casinos have around 17 and counting mobile apps and platforms where you can gamble from the comfort of your home. The ten licensed casinos where you can legally wager real money online in PA are: 

• Harrah’s Philadelphia
• Hollywood Casino at Penn National Racecourse
• Live! Casino Philadelphia 
• Mohegan Sun Pocono 
• Mount Airy Casino Resort
• Parx Casino
• Presque Isle Downs
• Rivers Casino Philadelphia
• Valley Forge Resort Casino
• Wind Creek Casino Resort

Each one of these physical casinos offers several online casinos for you to play on. Here’s a list of the current PA online casino apps: 

• Barstool
• BetMGM
• BetRivers
• Betway
• Borgata
• Caesars
• DraftKings
• FanDuel
• Golden Nugget
• Hollywood
• Parx
• PlayLive!
• Stars Casino
• Stardust
• SugarHouse
• TwinSpires
• Unibet
• Wind Creek

Online Casino Games You Can Play in Pennsylvania 

All the online casinos in Pennsylvania are operated under licensed casinos where you can play for real money, and the payouts tend to be quick and easy. To keep up with demand and keep players interested, they’re constantly adding new versions of classic games with different themes and prizes. 

Throughout all the legal online casinos in the state, you’ll find over 300 titles to choose from, many of which you can play at a physical casino. The best part about online casinos is that they’re constantly coming out with new games faster than physical casinos can put them out. Here’s a quick look at the different types of online casino games you can play in Pennsylvania. 

Slots Games

The biggest category of games at online casinos in Pennsylvania is slot games. The vast majority of people who choose to gamble online sign up to play the various slot machines. Depending on the website you select, many of them have more than 200 slot games you can choose from. 

With so many slot games to choose from, you’ll want to filter through them to find the ones you like, or you can experiment and find new ones you enjoy playing. Some ways you can filter through their slots games include the number of reels, the developer, the type of jackpots, and more. 

Some online casinos offer live casino slots too. To find these, you’ll need to filter through the other games with Bally, IGT, or another physical slot studio. 

You’ll find that the majority of online casinos have classic slot games. You’ll see Cleopatra, Wolf Run, and Wheel of Fortune on most platforms. If you prefer the classics, they always have the classic three-reel slots to choose from. 

As you look through their slots games, you’ll see their progressive jackpots under the title. The pools range from small dollar amounts to six-figure payouts. Some even reach into the millions! 

Table Games

For those who prefer casino games that aren’t slots, you can play several table games online in Pennsylvania. Table games tend to be a broad category, but it covers all those casino games that feature the green felt you’d see in a physical casino.

Table games include all card games, dice games, and even roulette wheels. These are the second most popular games people want to play at online casinos next to the slots. The vast majority of these games don’t include a live dealer. There are table games with live dealers, but we’ll get to that later. Here’s a look at the top table games you’ll find at online casinos in PA: 

• Roulette: You’ll be able to bet on your favorite numbers or whatever numbers with online roulette. There are several roulette wheels to choose from, with various themes and prizes to win. 
• Craps: Not all online casinos offer craps, but this is a popular choice for many people. You can play with two bettering phases and play their different variations. 
• Blackjack: Each online casino offers different blackjack games with varying rules. There’s basic blackjack, blackjack switch, Spanish 21, and free-bet blackjacks. 
• Baccarat: This is a favorite among the high rollers, and it’s very fun. You can place three bets in the game, but two of the three have a low house edge. 
• Casino Poker Games: There are plenty of casino poker games to play. You can choose from Caribbean Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold ’em, Pai Gow Poker, Let It Ride, Casino Hold ’em, and three-card poker. 

Live Dealer Games

For those who crave a more authentic casino experience but want to play online, choosing live dealer games is the way to go. Live dealer games allow you to play table games with a real person compared to a computer or random number generator (RNG).

Every online casino in Pennsylvania has a live dealer option for certain games. Some of the games you can play with a live dealer are roulette, blackjack, three-card poker, baccarat, and variations of Texas Hold ’em. Each one will have different betting minimums that will be clear before you choose to join. 

One of the reasons people love live dealer games is because a real casino in the state streams the games, so you’ll feel like you’re in the casino rather than at your house. The one thing you need to remember about live dealer games is that you’re on a time limit, but you can communicate with other players and dealers through the chat function. 

Being able to communicate with the dealer and other players can make your experience more authentic. It’s very appealing for those who appreciate the human interaction you can get at physical casinos but want to be able to play at home.

Bonus Offers at Online Casinos in Pennsylvania

One of the best things about playing with an online casino in Pennsylvania is the various bonus offers they provide players. Online casinos are always looking for ways to attract more players, and bonus offers are the number one way they do that. 

Each casino will have slightly different offers, including how often they offer them and the amount. Bonus offers are one of the main reasons people enjoy gambling with online casinos rather than physical ones. Here’s a look at the top bonus offers you’ll see at various online casinos in Pennsylvania. 

One-Off Promotions

Besides welcome bonuses, many casinos offer regular or random bonuses throughout the week or year. These bonuses can range from reload bonuses and promotions that involve getting you to play new games, sharing the casino on social media platforms, earning double points, etc.

What you’ll win will vary, but choosing an online casino with great bonus opportunities will make it worth your while.

Welcome Bonuses

Welcome bonuses are the most popular bonuses you’ll see at Pennsylvania online casinos. Some casinos will require a deposit, and then you’ll get free spins; they’ll match your deposit or offer you free prizes. It really depends on the casino and what their current promotion is. 

Something to remember with welcome bonuses is that you only get to take advantage of these when you initially sign up with the casino. After that, you’ll only see one-off promotions and sometimes deposit promotions. 

No-Deposit Welcome Bonuses

No-deposit welcome bonuses are the same as traditional welcome bonuses, except they don’t require you to deposit any money before taking advantage of them. These bonuses tend to be less enticing than the welcome bonuses you have to deposit first for, but free is free, and the prizes can sometimes be well worth it.

The dollar amounts tend to be lower, like $5, $10, or $20, but that’s still a significant amount to get for free. You’ll still need to play some of their casino games and reach their withdrawal limit before you can take the money out of your account. PA online casino no deposit bonuses are very common and worth it.

You’ll also see instances where casinos combine a no-deposit welcome bonus with a traditional one. They’ll give you free spins or money for signing up but an additional prize or amount depending on what you deposit into your account.

Loyalty or Rewards Programs

Some casinos offer rewards or loyalty programs to players. Usually, you aren’t immediately signed up to earn extra prizes with these programs, but they’ll offer additional bonuses to players who want to earn more. These tend to be more appealing for those who are high rollers or enjoy spending plenty of cash to play games, but you’ll see more bonus offers. 

Depending on the online casino you choose, loyalty or rewards program prizes include more spins, deposits, and even smartphones and laptops. 

Deposit Matching Bonuses

Deposit matching is a very common bonus at online casinos in PA. Some casinos will match 100% of your first deposit, usually up to $300. It can be higher, but you’ll need to read the fine print to see what each casino allows.

Throughout your time playing, they might offer more matching options. It’s only sometimes a 100% match, but matching is matching and its another excellent way to keep players coming back for more.

Safety of Online Casinos in Pennsylvania

Many people are concerned about the safety of the platforms when considering gambling with an online casino. You’re using your information to log in and spend real money, so security needs to be on your mind. 

The good news is that every PA online casino is legal and fully licensed under the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). 

Besides having license numbers under the PGCB, every online casino offers player protections under Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines which talk about responsible gaming laws in the state. 

If you still need convincing about how safe using online casinos in Pennsylvania is, the PGCB made several statements about their approach to licensing. They’ve stated that in the beginning stages of new casinos, they have a slow approach to ensuring everything is legitimate before giving out license numbers. 

Here’s some more information about safety protocols when it comes to using an online casino in Pennsylvania. 

Geolocation 

Since gambling real money at an online casino in Pennsylvania is only legal if you’re physically in the state, all online casinos need to utilize geolocation. You can legally only play on your computer or with the apps when you’re within Pennsylvania state lines. 

Online casinos are legal in some states, and even in the states where it is legal, you need to play with casinos that have licenses in that state. Every time you log into the platform, they’ll use geolocation technology to ensure you’re in Pennsylvania and using a licensed PA online casino. 

If there’s any evidence that you’re no longer in Pennsylvania when you’re trying to play, the casino will not allow you to gamble real money. If authorities catch you attempting to hack the geolocation technology, there’s a good chance they will ban you from using online casinos in the future when you’re in Pennsylvania. 

There’s no way to get around geolocation technology. For those who use a proxy server or VPN for whatever reason, even if you’re in Pennsylvania, you might experience problems. If you’re playing on your mobile device and are using 4G near a border, it could ping in another state, which can pose problems for you. 

The best thing you can do is enable location services while using your online casino app to avoid the casino kicking you off the platform while you’re in the middle of real money play. 

Licenses and Regulations

Before the legalization of casinos in Pennsylvania, the only way to play online casino games was to play at offshore casinos. Not only is this highly illegal, but it is risky betting your real money with them. 

With the legalization of online casinos in Pennsylvania, people no longer had to risk their money in offshore online casinos and can experience much safer gameplay. Luckily, all physical and online casinos in Pennsylvania are fully licensed and safe to bet real money at.

Pros and Cons Of Online Casinos in PA

Online casinos aren’t for everyone, but if you’re debating whether to sign up to play with one or a few in Pennsylvania, assessing the pros and cons can help you decide if an online casino is right for you. The advantages of playing with online casinos in PA are: 

• You can play at home safely in bad weather
• You can earn real money
• They’re completely safe to use
• You don’t have to abide by business hours and can gamble 24/7

There are more pros to online casinos than there are cons, but these are the cons we think are worth knowing before signing up: 

• It can be easy to get carried away with gambling
• You don’t always get the authentic casino experience you’re craving

Gambling Support in Pennsylvania 

Gambling can be a fun and therapeutic pastime and hobby, but it can become a problem for some people. The state of Pennsylvania offers gambling support for those with severe issues and even those who want to limit the amount of time and money they’re spending on gambling. 

All online casinos in Pennsylvania offer self-exclusion options. Self-exclusion allows a player to limit or stop their gambling activities at casinos and online casinos for a period of time. You’ll fill out a form online or through the PGCB. 

The program allows you to limit your gambling for a year, five years, or for the rest of your life. Some online casinos allow you to have shorter time periods away, but you won’t be able to log into your account during those times at all. 

At the end of the day, online casinos want to promote responsible gameplay, which is one way they can help. If you feel like you need further resources besides their self-exclusion protocols, you can find these support options throughout the state: 

• The gambling addiction hotline: 1-800-Gambler
• Gambling anonymous meetings
• www.responsibleplay.pa.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions about gambling in Pennsylvania? Let’s check out what others are asking about online casinos in Pennsylvania.

Final Thoughts

Online gambling is a popular option for those looking to have a little fun and earn extra cash. Online casinos became legal in Pennsylvania in 2017, and since then, online slots and casino games have taken the state by storm. 

There are over 18 great online casino platforms to choose from. Each has your favorite slots, table games, and other casino games, and some even offer live dealer games if you prefer to feel like you’re physically at the casino rather than at home. 

No matter which casino you choose or what your game of choice is, you’ll be earning real money in no time as long as you’re over 21 and physically in PA. Remember to play responsibly and have fun!