- Pennsylvania is the most populous US state with legal, regulated online gambling in 2020. The omnibus expansion package Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law in 2017 authorized interactive gaming across multiple verticals — including lottery, casino, fantasy sports, sports betting, and poker.
- Pennsylvania uses geolocation technology to determine if players are within state lines when accessing a licensed online casino. You also need to be at least 21 years old to play, which is the state’s required minimum age for both online and land-based gambling.
Pennsylvania Online Casino List
HollywoodCasino.com is the exciting new online casino from the same Pennsylvania brand you've trusted for years. With all your favorite games and built-in safety features, playing on HollywoodCasino.com is convenient and fun. Plus, earn more points for all the ways you play when you link your mychoice rewards account!
| Rank | Online Casino | Key Info | Bonus Info | Visit Casino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |
| |||
| #2 |
| |||
| #3 |
| |||
| #4 |
| |||
| #5 |
|
Why Are These the Best Pennsylvania Online Casinos?
With many great real money Pennsylvania online casino sites to choose from, we get the ability to be picky. Our goal is to ensure we’re only recommending the best Pennsylvania online casinos.
No one came here with second-best in mind. When you gamble online with your hard-earned money, you want the best experience possible.
To ensure that happens, we’ve commissioned an expert team of reviewers to review, rate, and rank the top Pennsylvania online casino sites. Below, you’ll see a sneak peek at the three most important criteria they look at when making their determinations.
Secure and Safe Online Casinos
Number one and two on their priority list are security and safety. Pennsylvania online casinos won’t get within 100 miles of our recommended list if they can’t guarantee the protection of your money, bets, and personal information. Period. End of discussion. There are zero acceptable excuses when it comes to keeping you safe when gambling online in Pennsylvania.
Here are the critical questions we ask of all Pennsylvania online gambling sites we review:
- Do you treat security and safety as priorities?
- Do you utilize a proactive or reactive approach to threats?
- Have you installed proper security encryption site-wide?
- Are your banking partners trustworthy?
- Does your technical team regularly upgrade servers and systems?
The Right Casino Games PA Players Want
Residents of Pennsylvania love to gamble! Let’s look at a few numbers:
| Number of Gaming Machines by State (2017) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 25,685 | ||
| Nevada | 172,295 | ||
| Oklahoma | 74,562 | ||
| California | 73,605 | ||
| Louisiana | 42,725 | ||
| Illinois | 38,283 | ||
| New York | 33,159 | ||
| Washington | 32,448 | ||
| Michigan | 31,176 | ||
| Mississippi | 30,944 | ||
| Gross Gambling Revenue by State (in million U.S. dollars) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 3,251.2 | ||
| Nevada | 11,917.37 | ||
| New Jersey | 2,903.48 | ||
| New York | 2,587.74 | ||
| Louisiana | 2,561.46 | ||
| Indiana | 2,240.84 | ||
| Mississippi | 2,142.06 | ||
| Ohio | 1,863.94 | ||
| Missouri | 1,754.47 | ||
| Maryland | 1,746.36 | ||
| Lottery Ticket Sales by State (in billion U.S. dollars) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 4.14 | ||
| New York | 9.69 | ||
| California | 6.28 | ||
| Florida | 6.06 | ||
| Massachusetts | 5.22 | ||
| Texas | 5.07 | ||
| Georgia | 4.56 | ||
| Ohio | 3.93 | ||
| New Jersey | 3.29 | ||
| Michigan | 3.1 | ||
Digging deeper into the numbers, we found that the Pennsylvania gambling demographic has a particular love for three games—slot machines, roulette, and blackjack. The top Pennsylvania online casinos must deliver high-quality gaming experiences for all three of these games. Why? Because they’re important to you! All of the Pennsylvania casino sites recommended here scored exceptional marks with all three of these casino games.
What happens if those aren’t your favorite games? We’ve still got you covered.
Yes, we want to see special attention paid to the games PA gamblers love the most, but we also want to see other high-quality game options available.
Regardless of your casino game preference, the best Pennsylvania online casino sites listed here have what you need.
Quality
One of the most time-intensive sections of our review process is the quality control check. As we already stated, we’re not here to recommend the second-best options. Our review teams are highly skilled in determining which Pennsylvania casinos demonstrate genuine quality across the board and which are the imitators trying to peddle second-best garbage.
We’ve attached our quality control checklist that we apply to online casino sites below to share some insight into the process:
| Newest Casino Games Available | ✔️ or ❌ |
| Collection of Classic Casino Games Available | ✔️ or ❌ |
| Best Game Graphics | ✔️ or ❌ |
| Game Animations – Smooth and Seamless | ✔️ or ❌ |
| Server Speed – Fast and Sufficient | ✔️ or ❌ |
| Fairness in All Games | ✔️ or ❌ |
| 24/7 Customer Service Options Available | ✔️ or ❌ |
Are Pennsylvania Online Casino Sites Legal?
Yes! Pennsylvania online gambling is exciting because it’s one of the few states with a clear-cut stance on the subject. Pennsylvania online casino sites are legal. House Bill 271 passed in October of 2017, providing sweeping legalization of online gambling within the state.
Here are the major takeaways of HB 271:
- Online poker, slots, and table games are legal.
- Video game terminals at truck stops, online lottery, and daily fantasy sports are now permitted.
- Sports betting is legalized statewide (dependent on compliance with federal statutes).
- 12 PA online casino licenses were issued to land-based casinos in the state.
- After 120 days, any license not claimed by a land-based casino can be purchased by qualifying entities from out of state.
- Tax rates were established for all games:
| Game | Tax Rate |
| Online Poker | 14% |
| Table Games | 14% |
| Slots | 52% |
| Local Share Assessment (Applies to all three licenses) | 2% |
The bottom line is Pennsylvania online casinos are legal.
PA Brick and Mortar Casino Laws
Pennsylvania’s relaxed stance toward online casinos extends to the brick and mortar side of the house. With 34 licensed casinos, 35,872 slots and gaming machines, 1,507 table games, and 289 live poker tables, it’s an easy slam dunk to say the law supports brick and mortar gambling in PA.
For those of you looking for more information, here are some details and resources that can help.
- Pennsylvania’s definition of gambling: “Elements of gambling are consideration, element of chance, and reward.”
- Gambling in AP is governed by code sections 18§5513 et seq. and 4§325.101 et seq.
- Licensed horse and harness racing are permitted.
- Daily drawings, pull-tabs, and tavern raffles for a charitable purpose are legal.
- Bookmaking, punch boards, private wire for gambling information, cockfighting, and bullet play are illegal.
- Bingo, small games of chance sponsored by charitable organizations, and antique slot machines are permitted.
- The minimum wager allowed is $0.01, and the maximum is $15,000.
The Future of Pennsylvania Online Casinos
It should come as no surprise that the future for online gambling in the state of PA is exceptionally bright. When legislation in favor of gambling online passed a few years ago, it paved the way for explosive growth.
We predict more Pennsylvania online casino sites entering the market over the next few years. Additionally, we predict the number of patrons using online casinos over brick and mortar locations to grow.
Big things are coming for the world of online gambling in the state of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Online Casino Sites – FAQ
Yes! As one of the few states in the US with fully regulated online casinos, the experience is safe. We would advise you to follow a few guidelines to ensure the safest experience possible:– Stick to reputable Pennsylvania online casino sites.
– Create a strong password and keep it protected.
– Never gamble from a shared computer or public device.
– Avoid casino play when you are intoxicated or emotional.
– Never chase losses. Seek help if you have a problem.
PA online casinos offer welcome bonuses to entice new players to sign up and deposit. These welcome bonuses include no deposit bonuses as well as a deposit bonuses.
No-deposit bonuses are awarded when you sign up with the casino. These bonuses are perfect for gamblers who want to try a new internet casino before making a real-money deposit.
Deposit bonuses require depositing funds at a casino site. Deposit bonuses give you a chance to earn more free money than no-deposit rewards.
PA Online Casino Bonus List 2021
| Site | No Deposit | Deposit Bonus | Wagering |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM Casino | $25 | 100% up to $1,000 | 6x wagering requirements |
| Hollywood Casino | $10 | 100% up to $502 (over two deposits) | Bonus credits are non-cashable. 1X wagering requirement. |
| Unibet | $10 | 100 % up to $500 | 1x wagering requirement. |
| DraftKings Casino | $35 | 20% up to $500 On Deposit + $100 in blackjack credits | 1x wagering requirement. |
| FanDuel Casino | N/A | Risk Free up to $200 | Bonus credits are non-cashable. 1X wagering requirement. |
| BetRivers Casino | N/A | 100% up to $250 | 1x wagering requirement. |
| FoxBet | -- | 100% up to $1,500 to | Bonus credits are non-cashable. 1X wagering requirement. |
| Parx | -- | 100 % up to $500 | 20x wagering requirement. |
Online casinos typically require you to use a bonus code to qualify for welcome bonuses.
All online casino bonuses feature terms and conditions that must be satisfied before the money can be withdrawn. Each casino lists bonus terms on its website. These conditions are generally easy to understand, but if you have any questions regarding online casino bonuses in Pennsylvania,contact us and ask for help.
How to get real money bonuses at Pennsylvania online casinos
The first step to qualifying for PA internet casino bonuses is to sign up at a state-licensed gaming site. You will be required to provide different personal details, which we outline below. The casino will send you a verification email that may sometimes include an activation link.
The required account details vary between casinos. But the following account fields are commonly seen throughout the market:
- First name
- Last name
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Last four digits of Social Security Number
- Username
- Password
- Email address
- Home address (city, state, country)
- Zip code
- Mobile phone number
- Age verification
- Bonus code
After the operator verifies your account, you’ll be eligible to claim the no-deposit bonus. The deposit bonus, on the other hand, is only available after you make the minimum deposit required.
Who can sign up at a Pennsylvania online casino?
You don’t have to be a PA resident to play at the state’s online casinos. But you must be located within Pennsylvania borders to create a real money account and to qualify for bonuses.
Anyone who attempts to play for real money while outside the state will be barred from doing so. Pennsylvania uses geolocation technology to determine if players are within state lines when accessing a licensed online casino.
You also need to be at least 21 years old to play, which is the state’s required minimum age for both online and land-based gambling.
Remember to enter the relevant bonus code
Online casinos use bonus codes to track different promotions. Each code is unique and determines what offers you’re eligible for.
When opening a casino account, you should notice an optional “promo code” or “bonus code” field in the registration form. The code that you enter in this field determines what welcome bonus you receive.
Some bonus codes allow you to claim larger no-deposit or deposit bonuses than a casino’s standard offer. For example, an online casino’s website might feature a code that qualifies you for a $10 no-deposit bonus. But using an exclusive bonus code could earn you a $20 reward instead.
This example highlights the importance of finding the best-available bonus codes.
Is there a difference between bonus & promo codes?
Some Pennsylvania internet casinos use the term “promo code” when referring to the codes they use to keep track of promotions. This practice can create confusion about whether a promo code is the same as a bonus code.
But these terms refer to the same thing, whether it be a welcome bonus or temporary promotion for existing members. The only difference is in which term an operator prefers to use. However, some casinos will use the term “promo code” to refer to short-term promotions exclusively.
No deposit bonuses at PA online casinos
No deposit bonuses become available once you’ve completed account registration and after you’ve entered the appropriate bonus code. The bonus size depends on the operator and the specific code used. Generally, no-deposit bonuses are worth between $15 and $30.
A no deposit bonus gives you the chance to win real money. This situation differs from playing free online casino games, where everything you win constitutes play chips.
No deposit bonus terms and conditions
No deposit bonuses cannot be cashed out until you’ve met certain terms and conditions. This policy prevents players from receiving their bonus and withdrawing it right away. The terms include wagering requirements (a.k.a. playthrough or turnover), time frames, and game restrictions.
Wagering requirements are expressed as a multiple of the bonus. For example, let’s say that you’re eligible for a $10 no-deposit bonus with a 50x playthrough. You would have to wager $500 (10 * 50) to unlock your bonus and withdraw it.
Time restrictions are placed on both claiming your bonus and meeting its turnover requirement. A casino might give you three days (72 hours) to claim the bonus once your account is verified. After you’ve claimed the reward, you’ll have a set number of days (e.g. seven) to complete playthrough requirements.
Game restrictions refer to when a bonus can only be used on specific types of games. For example, some internet casinos only let players wager no-deposit bonuses on slots. Other sites don’t have restrictions, which enables you to meet turnover requirements through any game.
Pros and cons of no deposit bonuses
One good aspect to no-deposit bonuses is that you can win real money without making a deposit. Meeting wagering requirements allows you to either cash out the bonus or continue using it to earn more winnings.
Another benefit is that you can try an internet casino and see if you like it before depositing. Pay special attention to game selection, website navigation, filtering options, and game stability.
The one downside to these bonuses is that they can be difficult to earn and withdraw. Some internet casinos impose a high turnover on their no-deposit bonus, which means that the average player has low chances of clearing it. But most players are fine with the low odds, provided they get to try out the game’s for free and have a reasonable shot at turning a profit.
Why do online casinos offer no deposit bonuses?
Online casinos use no-deposit bonuses as marketing tools to attract new customers. Players are more motivated to try a new casino when they’re given a free bonus. They’re also more likely to make a deposit when they play at a casino and like it.
The other reason why gaming sites offer no-deposit bonuses is to collect emails. Players must enter their email address when filling out an account registration form to receive the bonus. Casinos use these emails to expand their marketing reach for promotions and other offers.
Deposit bonuses at Pennsylvania online casinos
Players become eligible for a deposit bonus when they make their first deposit at a PA gaming site. Most online casinos feature match bonuses, which offer free money based on a percentage of your deposit.
For example, let’s assume that an online casino offers a 100 percent match bonus up to $500. If you were to deposit $200 under this deal, you’d be eligible for a matching $200 bonus.
The bonus funds are separated from the deposit money. You must meet turnover requirements before the bonus funds get transferred to your real money balance.
Depositing at PA online casinos
PA casino sites should accept a variety of payment methods, including:
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- eWallets
- Bank transfers
- eChecks
- Prepaid cards.
- Cash at the cage.
The exact deposit options vary from casino to another. For example, one gaming site may accept Neteller and PayPal eWallet payments, while another may only take Neteller.
Pennsylvania Online Casino Apps
Before creating an account, make sure to browse a casino’s banking section to make sure that they have a deposit option you can use. Doing so helps you avoid wasting time with the account creation process, only to later find out that you can’t deposit.
Generally speaking, though, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a banking method that you can use. Each PA casino site offers a good variety of deposit options.
Cashback bonuses
Pennsylvania Casino Online
Some online casinos offer cashback as a deposit reward instead of a match bonus. Cashback gives you money back based on a percentage of your losses.
For example, you might be eligible for cashback worth up to 90 percent of your first deposit. If you deposited $50, the most cashback you could earn would be $45 (50 * 0.09).
These offers are only available for a certain number of days after you deposit, seven to fourteen being the most common.
Deposit bonus playthrough requirements
Match deposit bonus wagering requirements can be based either on a multiple of the bonus or a multiple of the bonus plus deposit amount. Neither method is superior to the other in terms of value, but knowing the difference helps you determine that value:
Here’s an example:
- You deposit $50 at two casino sites
- Both sites offer a 100 percent match bonus
- The first casino’s playthrough is 40x the bonus
- 40 x 50 = $2,000 to release funds
- The second casino’s playthrough is 20x the bonusplus deposit
- (50 + 50) x 20 = $2,000 to release funds
You can see that the same amount must be wagered to earn both bonuses. The only differences include how the playthrough is expressed and what math formulas are used to carry out calculations.
Use theoretical losses to determine bonus value
Theoretical losses indicate the average losses you can expect to suffer while playing a casino game with a positive house edge. For example, betting $100 on a slot with 95-percent payback would result in a $5 theoretical loss.
Due to the luck element, nothing is ever certain in a casino game. Therefore, in the example above, you can’t know whether you’ll end up losing $5 for certain. But the math suggests that this is the most likely outcome, and the longer you play and the more you wager, the higher the likelihood that your results will reflect the game’s true house edge.
You can combine theoretical losses with playthrough to determine the value of a bonus. Here’s an example:
- A Pennsylvania casino site is offering a 100 percent match bonus
- Playthrough is 30x the bonus
- You deposit $150, which makes you eligible for a $150 bonus
- 30 x 150 = $4,500 turnover requirement
- You play a slot with 96-percent payback, meaning the house edge is four percent
- 4,500 x 0.04 = $180 loss
- 180 – 150 bonus = $30 net loss
You can take this further by comparing bonuses between two casino sites:
- Two online casinos are offering a 100 percent match bonus
- You deposit $200 at each casino, making you eligible for a $200 bonus
- You play a slot with 95-percent payback at both sites
- Playthrough at the first casino is 30x the bonus
- 30 x 200 = $6,000
- 6,000 x 0.05 = $300 loss
- 300 loss – 200 bonus = $100 net loss
- Playthrough at the second casino is 20x the bonus
- 20 x 200 = $4,000
- 4,000 x 0.05 = $200 loss
- 200 bonus – 200 loss = break even
You theoretically won’t lose any money when going after the match bonus at the second casino under these conditions.
Wagering requirements differ from game to another
Internet casinos feature different turnover requirements on different games. Slots, Keno, and scratch cards typically have lower playthroughs, because they feature higher house edges. Common wagering requirements for these games range from 10x to 30x the bonus.
Table games and video poker have higher turnover requirements because they feature lower house edges. Playthrough on these game groups typically ranges from 50x to 200x.
The high turnover on table games doesn’t always indicate that it’ll be tougher to earn bonuses. Depending on the house edge, you may have an even better chance to release your bonus.
Here’s a comparison between slots and Blackjack:
- You’re eligible for a $100 bonus
- Slots playthrough is 25x the bonus
- 100 x 25 = $2,500 to release funds
- You’re playing a slot with 95% payback (5% house edge)
- 2,500 x 0.05 = $125 loss
- Blackjack playthrough is 100x
- 100 x 100 = $10,000 turnover
- You’re playing a blackjack game with a 1% edge
- 10,000 x 0.01 = $100 loss
Despite having wagering requirements that are four times as high as slots, the blackjack games online offers better value in this scenario.
Look for deposit bonuses offer incredible value
Regulated US online gaming markets offer great bonuses in comparison to other markets. A big reason why US bonuses are better has to do with the low wagering requirements.
Delaware and New Jersey started the trend by offering some of the world’s friendliest online bonus turnover. Pennsylvania would be smart to follow that trend.
These wagering requirements are much better than what’s available to Americans in states without regulated internet gaming. Such states only have access to offshore online casinos, which serve unregulated markets. Standard playthrough at offshore internet casinos is 40x on slots and 400x on table games.
What’s unique about Pennsylvania’s online casinos?
PA casinos can take advantage of mainstream advertising to attract new players – this allows them to reach audiences that would be otherwise difficult to target. Offshore internet casinos, in contrast, can’t advertise through mainstream channels like TV, radio, or billboards. Plus, Pennsylvania is far and away the most-populous state with regulated online gambling.
PA’s online gaming regulations also inspire consumer confidence. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) oversees the market and provides certain protections to players. If a serious player-casino dispute arises, the PGCB can step in and make a fair ruling. This setup gives players more confidence in depositing at PA online casinos.
Finally, because PA casinos are new, they must do their best to attract customers. And what better way to entice gamblers than to offer attractive welcome bonuses?
Overview of PA’s internet gaming market
Pennsylvania features 12 land-based casinos. Of those, 10 are either standalone casinos or racinos, and the other two are small slots parlors. Another operator is set to join the market in 2020, when the Stadium Live! casino opens in Philadelphia.
All PA land-based casinos are eligible to participate in the state’s online gaming revolution. However, an online gambling license does not come cheap.
Operators need to purchase a separate license for online poker, slots, and table games. Each license cost $4 million individually. Operators who decide to apply for permits for all three games will pay $10 million instead of $12 million.
Many land-based operators have already chosen to participate in the market. But some are taking a wait-and-see approach, while others have expressed little-to-no interest.
The 54 percenttax rate on internet gaming profits is a significant point of contention for involved parties. This rate is among the world’s highest for online gaming.
It’ll be interesting to see how this tax rate impacts promotions and game returns moving forward.