Pennsylvania Sports Betting: Online Sportsbooks, Apps

Online betting has been surging since the Supreme Court turned the decision over to the states. The best sports betting sites and sportsbooks are battling for users in new markets as it grows. What about in Pennsylvania? Can you bet on sports in the state? Here’s what you need to know about Pennsylvania online sports betting.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Pennsylvania?

Yes. The online sports betting market launched back in 2019 allowing residents to bet in Pennsylvania. There are racetracks, casinos with retail sportsbooks, in-person locations, and PA sports betting apps.

You can sports bet in Pennsylvania on college and professional sports using PA online sportsbooks or by visiting a retail sportsbook location. The only restriction for betting on college sports is bettors can not place player prop wagers on college athletes.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is in charge of sports wagering after we saw the state legalize sports betting back in 2019. They regulate PA sports betting sites, mobile betting, and retail betting options. 

Best Pennsylvania Sportsbooks and Betting Apps

There are plenty of great options for legal online sports betting in the state. Some of the top and most recognizable brands entered the state. Here are some of the best PA sportsbook options fighting over sports betting revenue now that sports betting is legal in the state.

BetMGM

BetMGM is a popular sportsbook for Pennsylvania bettors known for its range of solid features that include live betting and the ability to edit bets in your bet slip. It is a great option for bettors looking for great odds on professional sports, prop bets, and more. BetMGM also offers solid promotions to get started betting.

FanDuel

Pennsylvania bettors can see how FanDuel Sportsbook is a well-regarded and trustworthy sportsbook. It is known for having great live betting options making it one of the industry’s best. It’s an excellent option for bettors searching for betting odds and the famous same-game parlay that FanDuel has put on the map.

DraftKings

DraftKings Sportsbook is a widely-used Pennsylvania sportsbook and reputable sports betting platform that offers a variety of features, including a rewards program that allows users to earn bonuses, odds boosts, offers, promotions, and more. Additionally, DraftKings provides users with solid odds that compare well with the rest of the legal sports betting industry.

Caesars

Caesars Sportsbook is known for having a great VIP loyalty program and it brings that great feature to the Pennsylvania online sports betting market. You can start earning money on your spread bets, moneylines, and more right off the bet. The Caesars Sportsbook is one of the best legal sportsbooks out there as you can get promotions, offers, bonuses, and more as you bet.

PointsBet

PointsBet is a solid sportsbook in Pennsylvania that has managed to establish a strong reputation in legal gambling due to some of the unique betting options it offers. These include its famous “Points Betting” which is a solid option for Pennsylvania bettors.

Moreover, the sportsbook provides attractive offers such as second chance bets for new sports bettors as it tries to compete with the best online sportsbook apps and websites.

BetRivers

BetRivers Sportsbook is a top choice for bettors in Pennsylvania looking for a reliable and convenient platform to place their bets. The BetRivers Sportsbook provides a seamless betting experience for both casual and professional bettors alike. The platform offers various betting options for users to get in on the action.

PA Sports Betting History and News

The first legal retail sportsbook opened for Pennsylvania sports bettors back in November of 2018 after the repealing of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. Shortly after, online sportsbooks in Pennsylvania became available in May 2019. To bet in the state and participate in online gambling, sports fans and bettors have to be at least 21 years old.

The state racked up a record sports betting handle in January 2022 at almost $800 million. To place a mobile sports bet, you have to be within the state’s borders. Legal online sportsbooks use geolocation tracking to confirm you are in the state of Pennsylvania. If so, you can freely bet on sports in Pennsylvania from the top sites that offer sports betting.

Popular Teams to Bet at PA Sportsbooks

There are plenty of pro sports teams and college options in the PA market. Popular sports teams include the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia professional teams such as the Steelers, Eagles, 76ers, Pirates, Phillies, and more. If you enjoy pro sports, the Pennsylvania sports betting experience will be full of great betting options.

In terms of college sports, there are several Division I schools that are available to bet on in Pennsylvania. Penn State is known for its popular football program while there is also the University of Pittsburgh. There are plenty of betting lines on betting apps in PA for college football, college basketball, and more.

Top Promotions in Online Sports Betting

The top Pennsylvania sports betting sites will have offers and promotions for new users. It’s a way to entice sports bettors to sign up for their platforms. Here are some of the bonuses you might see at an online sportsbook in Pennsylvania.

Bonus Bets

One of the best bonuses offered by an online sports betting app is a bonus bet. The best sportsbooks will dish out bonus bets to new users to entice them to register for the platform. Some bonus bets come without any form of a qualifying deposit. All you need to do is sign up and a sportsbook will give you bonus bets up to a certain amount. Sometimes, the bonus bet needs to be wagered on a specific event.

Other bonus bets have what is called a qualifying bet or deposit that you need to activate the bonus. You have to either place a wager or deposit a certain amount of money to receive the bonus bets. For example, DraftKings has run offers in the past where you place a $5 wager and get $150 in bonus bets instantly.

Second Chance Bets or Bet Insurance

A first bet insurance can also be known as a no-sweat bet, second chance bet, or first bet offer. It provides a type of safety net for users who place their first bet. This promotion offers protection for the first bet that you make up to a specific amount.

In the event of a losing the bet, the sportsbook will credit your account with bonus bets or bet credits equivalent to the initial wager. This type of bonus offer is designed to encourage new users to explore the platform and bet without fear of losing their initial amount of money deposited.

Refer a Friend

Friend referral promotions reward users for inviting their friends and others to join the sportsbook platform. When a user refers a friend, they will receive a bonus or credit, often in the form of bet credits or bonus bets, once their friend signs up and meets certain criteria.

These types of promotions not only provide incentives for users to invite their friends but also expand the sportsbook’s customer base as they look to grow their sports betting apps quickly.

Pennsylvania Sports Betting Sites Bet Types

With legal PA sports betting, there are plenty of bet types and markets to choose from. There are traditional bets as well as props and more for online sports betting in PA. These bet types usually can be found in both online and retail sports betting. Here are a few of the common bet types you will see as you enter the PA sports betting market.

Moneylines

A moneyline bet is a wager on which team will be the outright winner of the game or event. You’re betting on the winner. Favorites are usually listed with negative odds while an underdog will have positive odds.

For example, you check betting odds and see the Eagles are -155 favorites vs the Chicago Bears. If the Eagles win the game, it would take a $155 bet to win $100.

Point spreads

For a point spread bet, you’re betting on the margin of victory or defeat in the game. Each team is given a point value to balance the odds for bettors. Point spreads allow you to bet on either team, even if one is heavily favored to win the game or event.

For example, you might see the 76ers are a -2.5 point favorite vs the Chicago Bulls in the NBA. To cover the spread, the 76ers need to win by three points or more.

Betting lines for point spreads usually come with odds around -110 on both sides. A $110 bet would win $100. Point spreads are one of the most popular bet types in all of sports.

Totals

A total bet is also called an over/under bet. You’re betting on the combined total number of points that both teams will score in the game. Top sportsbooks will set a line on how many points they think will be scored in the game.

For example, the total for the Philadelphia Phillies vs Chicago Cubs game is 9.5 runs. For an under bet to win, nine runs or less need to be scored in the game. If the game ended 6-4, it would be an over because 10 total runs were scored. An under bet would lose in this case.

Props

A prop bet is a wager on a specific outcome within a game. Keep in mind, the outcome is not necessarily tied to the final result. Some people find these bets more enjoyable. Sportsbooks offer props on different outcomes for players, teams, and games.

There are a variety of outcomes such as how many points a player will score, how many rebounds a player will have, how many touchdowns a QB will throw for, and more. For example, Jalen Hurts might have his over/under for passing yards set a 265.5. You are betting whether he will be over or under that mark in the game.

Remember, while sports betting is legal in Pennsylvania, prop bets on college athletes are not. Keep up with the latest sports betting news and legislation for any changes.

Futures

A futures bet is looking at an event or outcome down the road in a sporting season or year. Betting on which team will win the championship or what player will win a major award at the end of the year. These odds change throughout the year based on performance, injuries, and more.

Parlays

A parlay bet is when you combine multiple outcomes into one single bet slip. This gives you a boost in odds but comes with a catch. To win a parlay, all of the bets have to win. With each leg you add to the parlay, the probability of winning the bet goes down.

For example, you can select four NFL teams each to win on a Sunday in the fall. If any of the teams lose, your bet loses. If all the teams win, you receive your payout based on the odds.

Using Multiple Sports Betting Apps and Online Sportsbooks

When it comes to sports betting, using multiple sportsbooks can be a smart move. By comparing odds, bonuses, features, and more, you can find the best value for yourself and increase your chances of winning.

For example, different sportsbooks may offer different odds on the same game or match, and by comparing these odds, you can choose the one that offers the most favorable payout.

In addition to comparing odds, using multiple sportsbooks can also give you access to different bonuses and promotions. Many sportsbooks offer sign-up bonuses, free bets, and other incentives to attract new customers, and by using multiple sportsbooks, you can take advantage of these offers and maximize your winnings.

Furthermore, different sportsbooks may offer different features, such as live streaming, in-play betting, and mobile apps, so by using multiple sportsbooks, you can choose the one that best fits your needs and preferences. Overall, using multiple sportsbooks can give you a competitive edge in sports betting and help you make the most of your wagers.

Daily Fantasy Sports

Playing daily fantasy sports in Pennsylvania is legal, and residents can enjoy the offerings of top industry players such as DraftKings and FanDuel, among others.

Pennsylvania Sports Betting FAQ

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