Pennsylvania was quick to accept sports betting both online and at retail locations. This has allowed a number of top sportsbooks to start operating in Pennsylvania, offering up plenty of great bonuses and promotions for bettors.
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are two of the biggest sports cities in America, with a slew of professional teams and a number of top NCAA schools. Here are the top 5 PA betting apps to start betting on sports in Pennsylvania:
- Caesars Sportsbook – Best Pennslyvania welcome offer, sign up and Go Full Caesar
- BetMGM – Best sports betting site in PA
- BetRivers – Top user rewards program for Pennslyvania sports bettors
- FanDuel Sportsbook – Unmatched sports betting prop markets
- Unibet – Best combination sportsbook & online casino
- DraftKings – Exciting new customer bonuses and best SGP feature
Best Online Sports Betting Apps in Pennsylvania
BetRivers, FanDuel, and BetMGM are some of the best online sports betting apps available in Pennsylvania, but they have plenty of competition. There are a number of high-quality sports betting sites available in the Keystone State. Here are the key players, and what they have to offer.
1. Caesars Sportsbook
- Tech partner: William Hill
- Pennsylvania partner: Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack
Caesars Entertainment runs some of the glitziest casinos in Las Vegas and it’s cut no corners when it comes to its sportsbook. Caesars Sportsbook is one of the best apps on the market, both for its online offering and its retail location at Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack.
There are a lot of promo opportunities when it comes to Ceasars Sportsbook, which makes this a sports betting site worth checking out for everyone. Couple that with a rewards program that is also integrated into Caesars-operated casinos like Harrah’s Philadelphia and it’s a slam dunk for anybody that regularly find themselves visiting one of their casinos.
2. BetMGM Sportsbook
- Tech partner: Entain
- Pennsylvania partner: Hollywood Casino
MGM Resorts is one of the largest gaming companies in America and it was quick to establish itself as one of the largest sports betting sites with BetMGM Sportsbook. BetMGM has a home in Pennsylvania through a partnership with the Hollywood Casino chain, despite MGM not having an established location in the state.
Creativity is the name of the game when it comes to BetMGM. Alongside same-game parlays, BetMGM has one of the largest selections of prop bet markets in the industry. Weekly sports betting promos and strong welcome bonuses are also part of the fun:
3. BetRivers
- Tech partner: Kambi
- Pennsylvania partner: Rivers Casino and Sugarhouse
Plenty of Pennsylvania gamers are already familiar with this brand. The Rivers Casino chain has two locations in the state, including the location formerly known as Sugar Casino in Philadelphia. BetRivers is the sportsbook arm of the Rivers Casino and it has a lot to enjoy for sports bettors in Pennsylvania.
BetRivers has a very good loyalty program, with a 1x wagering requirement that makes it easy to take advantage of its regular promos. Bettors can get started with this welcome bonus that makes it easier to kick off your sports betting career:
4. FanDuel Sportsbook
- Tech partner: FanDuel
- Pennsylvania partner: Valley Forge Casino Resort, Live! Casino
FanDuel has become one of the leading online sports betting sites in North America, leaving its days as a site focused on daily fantasy sports in the past. The company has a physical presence in the state at two branches of the Live! Casino chain as well as at the Valley Forge Casino Resort.
Pennsylvania sports bettors can get into the action with FanDuel quite easily. FanDuel Online Sportsbook has a large selection of banking options, making it easy to deposit and start betting. Weekly promos and Same Game Parlay Plus betting make this a great choice for those who expect to bet regularly. This great, exclusive No Sweat Bet welcome bonus is worth checking out for those who want to take FanDuel for a test run:
5. Unibet
- Tech partner: Kambi
- Pennsylvania partner: Mohegan Sun Pocono
Once New Jersey was secured in September 2019, it didn’t take long for Unibet to expand to another state. Pennsylvania became the second state for Unibet through a partnership with the Mohegan Sun Pocono Casino in Wilkes-Barre. This time, Unibet did get a retail sports betting site and also has another one at the Mohegan Sun Off-Track Betting location in Lehigh Valley called The Downs.
That’s great news for Pennsylvania sports fans as Unibet is one of the most trusted names in online sportsbooks. Arguably its best feature is its tiered parlay boosts, which adds more winnings for each leg of the parlay. Couple that with weekly promos and a great app and website, and this is a great betting app for Pennsylvania sports fans.
6. DraftKings Sportsbook
- Tech partner: DraftKings
- Pennsylvania partner: Penn National
DraftKings has become one of the most recognizable names in sports in short order. First as a daily fantasy sports site and then as an online sportsbook, the company threw money around to put itself front-and-center across basically every sport imaginable, which has been a winning strategy. DraftKings has become a go-to sports betting app across the country despite not having a true presence in the gaming industry beforehand.
A big part of the reason for that growth has been DraftKings’ usability and regular promos. It’s easy to get into the swing of DraftKings and users are given ample promos to keep the action moving. That starts with this great, exclusive welcome bonus:
7. PointsBet
- Tech partner: PointsBet
- Full sportsbook review: PointsBet
- Retail partner: Penn National
PointsBet injects a good bit of fun and excitement into the online sports betting experience, and Pennsylvania residents are able to take advantage of this. The sportsbook app offers the unique Points Betting style of over/under wagers that grow wins and losses based on how far the outcome is from the line, as well as the Karma Kommittee that can deliver bonus bets to people who lose wagers in shocking fashion.
Alongside the fun is just a generally rock-solid betting app. PointsBet has strong NFL lines and regular promos that keep the action moving. This is definitely a sports betting site worth checking out for Steelers and Eagles fans.
8. Barstool Sportsbook
- Tech partner: Kambi
- Pennsylvania partner: Penn National
Penn National has its fingers in a lot of different sportsbooks in the state of Pennsylvania. While its partnerships with the likes of PointsBet and DraftKings allow those sports betting sites to run in the state of Pennsylvania, its own sportsbook in the state is Barstool Sportsbook.
Barstool Sportsbook has all the key sportsbook trimmings including regular bonuses and promotions and an intuitive interface. It ultimately sets itself apart by its link to the Barstool Sportsbook brand, integrating its lead personalities into the experience.
How To Bet on a Pennsylvania Sports Betting App
Are you ready to join the exciting world of Pennsylvania sports betting? Just follow the steps provided below!
- Choose Your Pennsylvania Sportsbook
Begin by selecting a reputable sportsbook in Pennsylvania that suits your preferences. Consider factors such as user interface, available sports markets, betting options, and promotions. We highly recommend Caesars, BetRivers, BetMGM, Unibet, and FanDuel Sportsbook.
- Register for an Account
Use the links above to visit the website of your preferred sports betting platform and unlock an exclusive PA sportsbook bonus. Proceed to register for an account by providing the required personal information, such as your name, date of birth, and contact information. Choose a username and password, and agree to the site’s Terms & Conditions to finish registering for an account.
- Verify Your Information
After registering, you may need to complete an identity verification process. This usually involves submitting supporting documents, such as a copy of your identification and proof of address, to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Make Your First Deposit
Upon successful verification, proceed to make your first deposit into your newly created account. Most sportsbooks offer a variety of secure payment methods, including credit/debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, or prepaid cards.
- Claim Your Welcome Offer
Once you have successfully made your first deposit, you will receive your new user welcome bonus, which typically comes in the form of bonus bets, deposit matches, or first-bet insurance. Enjoy!
- Start Placing Bets
With funds in your account, you are now ready to start placing bets. Browse the sportsbook’s offerings, choose your preferred sports and events, select your desired betting markets, enter your stake, and confirm your bet slip. Good luck!
Where Can I Bet on Sports in Pennsylvania?
Retail sports betting has been live in Pennsylvania since 2018. Just months after the nationwide sports betting ban was overturned, Pennsylvania was ready to go just months later. These are located at a number of casinos and race tracks across the state, with these being some of the best options.
FanDuel Sportsbook at Valley Forge Casino Resort, Live! Casino Hotel Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
- Valley Forge Casino Resort location: 1160 1st Ave, King of Prussia, PA 19406
- Live! Casino Hotel Philadelphia location: 900 Packer Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
- Live! Casino Hotel Pittsburgh location: 5260 US-30, Greensburg, PA 15601
- Retail Sportsbook: FanDuel Sportsbook
- Other Features: Slots, table games, poker
FanDuel has a number of retail sportsbooks in Pennsylvania, dotted across the state. The Live! Casino location in Philadelphia has a huge 130,000-square-foot gaming floor with over 2,000 slot machines and 100 table games, while the Pittsburgh location is smaller with 750 slot machines and 40 table games, it still boasts a FanDuel Sportsbook.
Right near the border of New Jersey, another FanDuel sports betting site can be found. The casino has 600 slot machines and 50 table games, with FanDuel on hand to offer action to those who want to take in a game.
Caesars Sportsbook at Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack
- Location: 777 Harrah’s Blvd, Chester, PA 19013
- Retail Sportsbook: Caesars Sportsbook
- Other Features: Slots, table games, poker, racing
Caesars operates a number of casino chains and in Pennsylvania, it has Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack. It has a 100,000-square-foot gaming floor with 1,700 slot machines alongside table games and poker. It also has a racetrack with 130 days of harness racing per year.
Caesars Premier Sportsbook lets bettors take in the action in a sports bar setting, with a twist. The sportsbook also has table games on hand, letting players have some fun during halftime as well.
BetRivers at Rivers Casino
- Philadelphia location: 1001 N Delaware Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
- Pittsburgh location: 777 Casino Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
- Retail Sportsbook: BetRivers
- Other Features: Slots, table games, poker
The Rivers Casino chain has two huge locations in Pennsylvania, both of which offer loads of gaming action. The Pittsburgh location emphasizes slots, with over 2,400 unique games alongside table games and poker tables on its 120,000-square-foot gaming floor. The Philadelphia location is smaller with a 45,000-square-foot gaming floor with 1,600 terminals alongside a variety of table games.
Both locations have BetRivers Sportsbook Bars. These serve food and drink and allow bettors to watch the games in a casual environment.
Unibet Sportsbook at Mohegan Pennsylvania
- Mohegan Pennsylvania location: 1280 PA-315, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
- Lehigh Valley Race and Sportsbook: 1780 Airport Road Allentown, PA 18109
- Retail Sportsbook: Unibet
- Other Features: Slots, table games, poker, horse racing
Mohegan Sun Pennsylvania is a spin-off of the gargantuan Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut. The Pennsylvania location has a full suite of gaming including slots, table games, and poker across its 82,000-square-foot gaming floor, with live harness racing and a Unibet Sportsbook.
There are two Unibet retail sports betting sites under the Mohegan Sun umbrella. One is on-site at the Mohegan Pennsylvania location in Wilkes-Barre. The other is at the Downs at Lehigh Valley Race and Sportsbook. This location has long offered off-track wagering, but now has a pair of
Barstool Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino Penn National Race Course, The Meadows
- Hollywood Casino location: 777 Hollywood Blvd, Grantville, PA 17028
- The Meadows location: 210 Racetrack Rd, Washington, PA 15301
- Retail Sportsbook: Barstool Sportsbook
- Other Features: Slots, table games, poker, racing
Barstool Sportsbook is established on-site in Hollywood Casino locations across the country. That includes the Hollywood Casino at the Penn National Race Course and the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows.
Both have a Barstool Sportsbook on location, allowing people to visit the track to bet on more sports than just horse racing. Both locations also have sizable casinos offering slots, table games, and more.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes, online sports betting is legal in Pennsylvania, so long as they are located within the state while betting. Not only that but people visiting the state can also wager on their favorite teams both in-person and online. Both those who live in Pennsylvania and those just making the trip to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia can enjoy legal sports betting in the state.
What Sports Can I Bet on in Pennsylvania?
Basically every sport imaginable can be bet on in the state of Pennsylvania. While some states have limitations on what sports can be wagered on, there are few that are restricted in Pennsylvania. Professional, collegiate, and amateur sports can be wagered on, though player props on collegiate sports are barred. Esports betting is not currently allowed in Pennsylvania.
Here are some of the sports that can be bet on in Pennsylvania:
- NFL
- NHL
- MLB
- NBA
- Boxing
- MMA
- Racing
- NCAA Football
- NCAA Basketball
- Soccer
- PGA
- Tennis
- Darts
Types of Bets Available on Pennsylvania Sports Betting Apps
Moneyline
Moneyline is the most straightforward type of sports betting. While there are loads of different wrinkles to betting, moneylines are just a simple wager on which side will win a contest. This terminology applies to every sport, ranging from baseball to boxing.
Spread
A spread is an expected margin of victory that is applied to the favorite team in a contest. This offers greater payouts for bets on a favorite than a moneyline, but there is a catch. If the favorite wins, but doesn’t “cover the spread” by scoring enough points the bet counts as a loss.
Live betting
Games that are in action are actually still fair game for wagers thanks to live betting. Live betting sees the lines shift as the game progresses. Different operators have different levels of support for live betting, so if this sounds appealing make sure to consult our betting site reviews.
Over/Unders
Over/unders are one of the most common bet offerings beside moneylines. This is most commonly a wager on how many points a team will score within a game. There are other variations honing in on things like the number of points scored by an individual player, or the number of points scored by a team in one half.
Totals
Totals combine the stats of both sides of a competition. As with over/unders, the most common form of this is with the total number of points scored by both teams in one game. There are other variations, but the offering will vary from sportsbook to sportsbook.
Prop bets
Prop bets hone in on basically everything outside of the scores in the game, offering action on whether specific events will happen within a sporting contest. Will a specific player score a goal in an NHL game? Will an MMA fight be ended in the third round? Will a player hit a triple during a baseball game? There are loads of different prop bets out there to choose from.
Parlays
Parlays package together multiple parts of the game into one larger bet. Same Game Parlays are offered by many different sportsbooks, and often boil down to one team winning with an over/under on their points scored. However, some bookmakers will offer parlay builders that let you do things like pick the winner of each game on an NFL Sunday or the result of each match on a boxing card.
Pennsylvania Sports Teams To Bet On
Philadelphia Phillies
It’s been a few up-and-down decades for the Philadelphia Phillies. The team regularly cycles its way to the top, going from the middle of the pack right to the top.
The team has been on an upswing since 2018 when the club signed a crop of top free agents including Bryce Harper and David Robertson. That duo helped to propel the Phillies to the top, which was realized with a 2022 World Series berth.
Philadelphia Eagles
The NFC East is perpetually competitive, and a big part of that is that the Philadelphia Eagles often being in the thick of things. The team is frequently having to work its way around the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders, and New York Giants, who have all found their way to contention over the years.
The Eagles have enjoyed the greatest success in recent years, thanks to their Super Bowl LII victory and regular playoff appearances since. The team will look to continue being a threat at the top of the league for years to come.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers have a long history of being one of the NHL’s roughest, toughest teams. Though the heyday of the Broad Street Bullies is long in the past, the team has been a credible contender more often than not throughout its history.
The team had a strong run in the 2019-2020 season. Things weren’t as great in the following seasons, but the team is hoping that new head coach John Tortorella can get the team back into the playoff hunt once again.
Philadelphia 76ers
While the NFL, MLB, and NHL all have two teams in the state of Pennsylvania, but that’s not the case with the NBA. The only NBA team in the state is the Philadelphia 76ers.
The franchise hasn’t won the NBA Finals since 1983, but tends to qualify more often than not. Philadelphia fans have also been able to get their hopes up in recent years, with the team reaching the conference semifinals in four of five seasons between 2017 and 2022.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the most storied histories in the NFL, boasting one of the greatest dynasties in American sports history and consistent relevance. Even if the team isn’t winning Super Bowls on an annual basis like it was in the 1970s, the Steelers are still much more likely to be in the playoffs than they are to watch from the sidelines.
The team continues to roll on with Mike Tomlin at the helm. The team will have to look for a way forward without longtime starting QB Ben Roethlisberger, though.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a strong history, but the team hasn’t been especially fearsome in a long while. The team was strong from 2013 to 2015 but outside that stretch, it’s been consistently under .500. The scouting system has been able to produce some top stars such as Jason Bay and Andrew McCutchen, but the team deals them away for cash and prospects too frequently to be a regular contender.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins franchise has long been defined by its biggest individual star, whether that was Mario Lemiuex, Jaromir Jagr or, today, Sidney Crosby. That hasn’t consistently led to victory for the franchise, though.
The Penguins have bounced in and out of contention over the years, getting white hot at times and sliding into the middle of the pack at other times. The good thing for Pittsburgh fans is that this still sets the team’s floor at qualifying for the playoffs, as seen with the Penguins making the post-season from 2007 to 2022.
Villanova Wildcats
The Villanova Wildcats team isn’t the most storied when it comes to collegiate athletics. The school’s men’s basketball team tends to make up for it, though. Since its Sweet Sixteen run in 2005, the team has been able to be a regular force in the NCAA Tournament, a stretch that included a national championship in 2018, an appearance in the Final Four in 2022, and other deep runs into the tournament.
Beyond that, Villanova has a storied rivalry with the University of Pennsylvania. Though its women’s basketball team hasn’t been a perennial contender the way the men’s team has, it has been making NCAA Tournament appearances in recent seasons.
Penn State Nittany Lions, Lady Lions
Pennsylvania State University is a highly decorated school when it comes to NCAA competition. The school has an utterly dominant wrestling program led by 2004 gold medalist Cael Sanderson, with the team winning nine national championships between 2011 and 2022.
For betting purposes, Penn State’s football team is the most notable. The squad has been a steady presence at the top of the Big Ten conference for decades but officially speaking, a significant chunk of that history was washed away due to a sexual abuse investigation into the team in 2008. The school looked to fully move past that by installing James Franklin as head coach, with the team going up and down throughout his tenure.
Pittsburgh Panthers
The University of Pittsburgh has 19 varsity teams across both men’s and womens’ sports. As with Penn State, the school has a formidable wrestling program with a football team that will be of greater interest to bettors. The team isn’t a weak one though, taking a 2021 conference championship in the ACC.
Pennsylvania has a slew of NCAA Division I schools beyond just Villanova, Penn State, and the University of Pittsburgh. The full list of division I schools in Pennsylvania includes:
- Bucknell Bison
- Drexel Dragons
- Duquesne Dukes
- La Salle Explorers
- Lafayette Leopards
- Lehigh Mountain hawks
- Penn Quakers
- Penn State Nittany Lions and Lady Lions
- Pittsburgh Panthers
- Robert Morris Colonials
- Saint Francis Red Flash
- Saint Joseph’s Hawks
- Temple Owls
- Villanova Wildcats
Many minor league teams and pro teams in other sports also call the state of Pennsylvania their home. Here are some of the other
- Philadelphia Union
- Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Torch FC
- Philadelphia Wings
- Philadelphia Fusion
- Erie Commodores FC
- Electric City Shock SC
- Hershey FC
- Philadelphia Lone Star FC
History of Sports Betting in Pennsylvania
The doors to sports betting were thrown open nationwide in 2018 when the United States Supreme Court overturned a longstanding ban on sports betting. This enabled individual states to legalize or prohibit sports betting within their borders. Different states approached this in different ways, but Pennsylvania was quick to take action toward legalizing sports betting.
In 2017, Pennsylvania was aggressively expanding its offering of gaming locations. This included the legalization of online gambling and the opening of casino gambling in areas like airports. Alongside this, the state worked to legalize sports betting in anticipation of the Supreme Court’s decision.
The Supreme Court overturned the ban on sports betting in May 2018 and by November of that year, the first wagers were being accepted at retail sportsbooks in Pennsylvania. Online sports betting launched several months later, with the first bets being accepted in May 2019. That early acceptance of sports betting resulted in Pennsylvania being a sports betting destination for a time, as bordering states were slower to legalize.
Pennsylvania Sports Betting FAQ
Yes, online sports betting is fully legal in Pennsylvania. Anyone who is 21 years or older and within the state’s borders may bet on sports.
Pennslyvania has 13 different sports betting apps available including BetMGM, Caesars, Unibet, DraftKings, Fanduel and more.
13 sports betting sites are currently operating in Pennsylvania. They are DraftKings, PointsBet, Caesars, Betfred, FanDuel, BetRivers, BetMGM, Unibet, FOX Bet, Barstool Sportsbook, PlaySugarHouse, Betway, and betPARX.
Yes! You can wager on college sporting events in Pennsylvania, and there are no restrictions on games involving in-state schools (such as Villanova University or Penn State University). However, prop bets on individual college athletes are prohibited.
