Pennsylvania Betting Sites

Pennsylvania has one of the longest-running sports betting markets, having launched its legal gambling industry in 2018. Bettors enjoy a brilliant selection of operators, with 13 sportsbooks currently offering top-class betting opportunities. Choosing from the options can be daunting for beginners, while even experienced bettors struggle to collate enough accurate online information to make the right decision. 

BettingOdds.US experts are constantly investigating the PA sports betting industry to help you find everything you need to enhance your sportsbook experience. Keep reading for an in-depth Pennylsania betting guide.

Our Top Pennsylvania Sports Betting Sites - September 2023

Is Online Betting Legal in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania set legal online betting plans in motion after Governor Tom Wolf passed the HB271 gambling bill in 2017. This paved the way for retail sportsbooks to launch in November 2018, with online and mobile sports betting following six months later in May 2019. 

Pennsylvania was ready to move forward with plans since before the Supreme Court overturned the ban on legal sports betting, joining other early front-runners like New Jersey and West Virginia. The industry has blossomed into one of the US’s richest and healthiest gambling markets, a point reflected in the growing number of quality PA sportsbooks now offering bettors an outstanding service. 

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board also licenses numerous online casino platforms after the July 2019 legalization. Many top operators offer a combined sports betting and casino package, with BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook being two examples. 

Popular Sports to Bet on in Pennsylvania

PA bettors have an extensive list of sports betting opportunities, with sportsbooks determined to provide maximum coverage. Even still, most wagers are concentrated across a few popular sports and leagues. Check below for a breakdown of the most popular: 

NFL

The National Football League has abundant betting opportunities during the 17-game regular season, with 272 individual games to enjoy after factoring in the playoffs and Super Bowl. 

Bettors are treated to high-quality action from teams including the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Los Angeles Rams. Individual talents like Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Donald contribute to the action, supplying excitement and attractive individual prop bet predictions. 

Sportsbooks cover numerous NFL betting markets to give a complete set of options. For example, you can place standard moneyline or over/under wagers alongside detailed prop options like total rushing yards, touchdowns, or passes during a game.

NBA

The NBA is the world’s most prestigious basketball league and for good reason. It has been synonymous with exhilarating basketball action since its 1946 launch, birthing sporting legends like Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

With 30 teams playing 82 games each, there are numerous live and future betting markets in the NBA. In fact, bettors have 1,230 games to choose from in a season. 

Sportsbooks also offer countless betting markets on the NBA, generating extensive options for Pennsylvania bettors. You can also enjoy PA-specific offers when the state’s only team plays, maximizing your enjoyment during Philadelphia 76ers games. 

MLB 

Major League Baseball has gone from strength to strength since beginning in 1878. The MLB is now the world’s second-wealthiest sports league by revenue, pointing to its massive popularity across Pennsylvania and other US states. 

MLB betting is also a huge deal, with 30 teams playing 162 games during the season. This generates 2,430 individual games before the postseason even begins, creating numerous opportunities for sports betting across numerous markets. 

The MLB World Series is the most significant betting event, pitting the two best teams during the regular season and playoffs together to win the distinguished trophy. Leading PA sportsbooks offer odds on everything from the number of home runs to same-game parlays.   

NHL

Ice hockey is another top option for Pennsylvania bettors, with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers offering exciting local betting opportunities. Further afield, franchises like the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings are just a couple of the respected teams playing in the National Hockey League. 

Pennsylvania sportsbooks offer comprehensive odds and betting markets on NHL hockey, often throwing in game-specific bonuses and other betting incentives. Bettors can also enjoy comprehensive in-play betting and live streaming at the best platforms. 

The NHL covers 1,312 games during the season, providing ample opportunity for bettors to sink their teeth into. Check the NHL betting of each of our recommended PA sportsbooks to get an instant idea of how many options are available.  

Horse Racing

Horse racing is an ever-present fixture at Pennsylvania sports betting sites, with several world-famous events taking place during the season. Bettors can access numerous bet types, with standard win wagers alongside more complex multiples like parlays or daily doubles. 

Sportsbooks across PA also offer various horse racing bonuses and promotions. New customers can typically enjoy free bets, deposit matches, or risk-free wagers after signing up. Meanwhile, industry-leading operators also grant special promos on big-name events, further amplifying the fun.

The Kentucky Derby is the most prestigious US horse racing event. Taking place on the first Saturday of May at the legendary Churchill Downs racecourse, it has a two million dollar prize purse and attracts some of the world’s top three-year-old thoroughbreds. 

Betting Markets Available in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania betting enthusiasts have ample choice regarding betting markets nowadays. Understanding the options available is crucial to your overall enjoyment and success. The main four to acknowledge are: 

Moneyline 

Moneyline wagers are the simplest stakes, with bettors predicting the winner of a match or event. The favorites are given a negative number for their odds, while the underdogs have a positive number. For example, an NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings could look like this: 

• Pittsburgh Penguins -150
• Detroit Red Wings +100

The Penguins are the favorites, with the Red Wings coming in as slight underdogs. The -150 indicates that you would have to wager $150 on the Penguins to win $100. On the other hand, a $100 bet on the Red Wings at +100 odds would deliver $100. 

Parlay 

Parlay bets combine at least two individual wagers that can generate higher payouts than standard singles. The odds are multiplied across each leg of the parlay bet, subsequently skyrocketing its potential. Nevertheless, each leg must come in for the overall bet to pay off, making them much harder to accurately predict. 

PA sportsbooks are increasingly expanding their parlay bet offerings. Bettors can often combine parlay legs over different sports or betting markets, with industry leaders even offering same-game parlays. 

Over/Under

Over/Under bets, otherwise known as Totals, is an interesting wager if you’re uncertain which team or player will win a game outright. The sportsbook will set a line on the number of points, touchdowns, or any other in-game statistic. You must then predict whether you think the total will be under or over the betting site’s estimate. 

Against the Spread (ATS)

Against the Spread (ATS) wagers, also referred to as spread betting, refer to both the victor of a game and the margin of victory. This is a great option for events with a heavy favorite, as you can use ATS betting to add a bit more risk and a potentially higher payout. 

Favorites have a negative number for their point spread, i.e -3.5. Meanwhile, underdogs have a positive number, for example, +2.5. If you back the favorites, they must win by four or more points for the bet to succeed. Similarly, a bet on the underdogs can still win if they lose by less than two points. 

Betting Apps Available in Pennsylvania

Mobile betting apps are by far the most popular option for Pennsylvania bettors, granting unmatched practicality and various special features. Top-rated mobile apps can offer added biometric security via Face or Touch ID, eliminating the need to constantly input login credentials. 

The best PA mobile betting apps are impeccably designed, offering streamlined interfaces that make betting on the move easy. This is particularly useful for live betting, allowing you to keep track of developments with infographics and react accordingly, regardless of where you are. Check below for our top three favorite PA mobile betting apps: 

• Draftkings Sportsbook PA App: DraftKings is one of the largest US sportsbook brands, starting life as a Daily Fantasy Sports channel before expanding into the sports betting industry with great success. The DraftKings iOS app has a superb 4.8 out of 5 rating after more than half a million reviews on the App Store, pointing to its exceptional design. 
• FanDuel Sportsbook PA App: FanDuel is another sportsbook that began as a DFS platform. PA bettors can enjoy an exceptional FanDuel mobile app, with a 4.8 out of 5 rating after over a million reviews on the App Store. It also has a 4.7 out of 5 rating on the Google Play marketplace, proving its credentials for both mobile operating systems. The FanDuel PA app offers enticing features like fast withdrawals and daily Odds Boosts promotions. 
• Caesars Sportsbook PA App: Caesars Sportsbook revamped its mobile betting app in 2021 after listening to user feedback and implementing a new backend system. The results are fantastic, with a streamlined interface and various special features greatly enhancing the betting experience. With a 4.6 out of 5 rating on the App Store, it’s clear many other bettors agree. 

Payment Methods Available at Pennsylvania Betting Sites

Pennsylvania bettors have a superb amount of choice when it comes to funding their accounts. Whether you want to use conventional bank cards, e-wallets, or prepaid cards, there are ample possibilities. Some of the top choices include: 

Bank Cards 

Using debit cards to fund your PA betting site experience is still the most popular method among bettors, especially newcomers. The familiar process is identical to paying for other services or products online, requiring your card details and billing address. Bettors enjoy advanced bank security features, wide availability, and relatively quick transaction speeds. 

e-Wallets 

PayPal and other e-wallets are increasingly popular at Pennsylvania sportsbooks, granting bettors a practical way to separate their gambling funds from their day-to-day finances and main bank accounts. The platforms only require a username and password to make payments or claim withdrawals, limiting sensitive data sharing. Bettors also enjoy some of the fastest transaction speeds, although e-wallets are commonly blocked from deposit bonuses.  

Prepaid Cards

Prepaid cards like Paysafecard are arguably the safest deposit methods, since they don’t require any personal information. Instead, you purchase a virtual or in-person voucher and use the PIN to deposit a set amount of funds. This also makes budgeting far easier and can be a great way to limit your spending. The only problem is that withdrawals are commonly unavailable. 

Wire Transfer

Using wire transfer to deposit into your betting account is the oldest method in the book. Although this is the slowest banking option at PA sportsbooks, it’s also one of the safest, so many bettors prefer it.  

Pennsylvania Betting Timeline

Outlining the Pennsylvania betting timeline is an interesting way to get to grips with the legalization process. Here are the main milestones over the past six years: 

• October 2017: Governor Tom Wolf passes HB271, a comprehensive sports betting and gambling legalization package. 
• May 2018: The Supreme Court overturns the PASPA to allow states to legalize sports betting and gambling if they wish to. 
• November 2018: Retail sports betting launches in Pennsylvania at Hollywood Casino. 
• June 2019: Online and mobile sportsbooks launch across Pennsylvania.   

Compare Pennsylvania Betting Sites and Sign Up

Pennsylvania bettors have an extraordinary amount of choice nowadays, with 13 sportsbooks and counting offering their services. BettingOdds.US experts have compiled information across the PA market and reviewed our favorite sites. Use our platform to find the best sportsbook for your preferences and sign up to claim the welcome bonus. 

Frequently Asked Questions