Best Pennsylvania Sportsbooks: PA Sports Betting Apps (December 2024)

Closer Look at the Best Online Sportsbooks in Pennsylvania

1. FanDuel Sportsbook

Best for: Mobile App

In terms of total revenue, FanDuel is the most popular sportsbook in the US. If you are looking for the ultimate all-round betting experience, look no further.

Starting with the mobile app - it's simply the best in the industry, with a sleek and responsive design that is perfect for on-the-go betting. With fantastic ratings of 4.8/5 on the App Store and 4.7/5 on the Google Play Store, it is clearly a well-liked platform.

New players are welcomed to FanDuel with up to $150 in bonus bets after betting $5 and winning that first bet. Besides the welcome bonus, promotions are frequently changed, ensuring that there can always be bonus options for your favourite sports. For example, at the moment, you can also claim a 3 Month NBA League Pass at FanDuel.

While other sportsbooks can, at times, seem overwhelming and crowded, FanDuel does not have this issue. The interface of its site is functionally designed and intuitive, making your betting experience a breeze. Here, you can find a plethora of sports, events, and markets to make bets on. The customer service is also stellar with 24/7 customer support - the lack of phone support is the only slight black mark. 

Check out our complete review of FanDuel Sportsbook.

💰Sign-up offer:  Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins.

FanDuel Sportsbook Ratings

⭐ WSN Rating: 4.5/5
⭐ Apple App Store: 4.8/5
⭐ Google Play Store: 4.7/5
⭐ Trustpilot: 1.3/5

Claim Your FanDuel Sportsbook PA Bonus

Is Sports Betting Legal in Pennsylvania?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Pennsylvania as of Oct. 30, 2017, when HB 271 was signed into law. In fact, it was one of the first states to pass a sports betting bill, and it did so before the US Supreme Court’s decision to lift the federal ban on sports betting in 2018. After the ruling, in November 2018, the first retail sportsbook was launched. In May 2019, the first online sportsbook went live in the state. Currently, there are 13 online sportsbooks operating in Pennsylvania, all of which have been listed earlier on this page. 

How to Get Started

Registering and making your first bet at a Pennsylvania sportsbook is a straightforward process. We have outlined this in a step-by-step guide, which is especially useful if you are just beginning your sports betting journey.

1. Choose a legitimate sportsbook, like the platforms that we have recommended. It is vital to choose a sportsbook that is licensed and regulated in Pennsylvania. This is a guarantee of your safety as a player. Be aware that there are several unlicensed sites out there that should definitely be avoided.

2. Register your account. After choosing your platform, you can sign up and create an account. You will have to provide information, such as your name, email address, and address. Pennsylvania players are required to use two-factor authentication, which means you must verify your account using your phone number every time you log in.

3. Verify your identity. For some platforms, it is necessary to verify your identity by submitting a photo of your ID or other relevant documents.

4. Claim your welcome bonus. New players should make the most of the welcome bonus offers in PA, which can save you a lot of money upfront. You normally either have to opt in or use a promo code, and always remember to read the T&Cs and take note of any criteria. You can find all the details in our specific reviews.

5. Deposit money. You will need to deposit funds in order to claim your welcome bonus unless it is a no-deposit offer. There is usually a variety of payment methods to pick from.

6. Make your first bet. First, you can explore the available sports and betting markets on the platform. Next, choose your preferred type of bet and amount. You can then add it to your betslip to confirm it. 

Pennsylvania Sportsbook Promos

We have outlined the best welcome bonuses in Pennsylvania for you to clearly compare them and see what suits you best.

Be aware that sportsbooks often change their promotions, and if you can't find anything you like right now, it won't be like that for long. Make sure to check for promos during Black Friday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays and events when sportsbooks offer incredible promos to new and existing players.

PA Sportsbooks provide a range of various promotions and offers as welcome bonuses, which act as rewarding introductions to their platforms. We have summarized the most common types below.

Bonus Bet

When signing up, a Bonus Bet promotion can be received after making a deposit and qualifying wager. Think of it as a betting voucher or credit. After you win a Bonus Bet, you only collect the winnings rather than the stake and winnings like a regular bet.

Second Chance Bets

A Second Chance Bet gives players a safety net of sorts. Here’s how it works: if you lose your initial wager, the sportsbook will refund you up to a specified amount. This reimbursement will be in the form of site credits or bonus bets.

Deposit Match Bonuses

With this bonus, the sportsbooks will match a percentage of the deposited amount with bonus funds or site credit. This means the value of your bonus amount will increase the more that you deposit up to a certain limit.

No Deposit Bonuses 

Unlike other bonuses, this offer does not require any deposit on your part. You can claim this offer for free without using any funds. It is most often a smaller amount, around $10 or $20, as a Bonus Bet or site credit. 

What Mobile Sportsbooks Are Available in Pennsylvania?

We massively value the ease of accessing platforms while on the go, and all the top sportsbooks in Pennsylvania have mobile apps that greatly improve the overall user experience. 

Take a look at the best mobile sports betting apps that are available in Pennsylvania below. 

1. FanDuel - 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.7/5 (Android)

2. DraftKings - 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.6/5 (Android)

3. BetMGM - App rating: 4.8/5 (iOS); 4.2/5 (Android)

4. BetRivers - 4.4/5 (iOS); 3.4/5 (Android)

5. ESPN Bet - 4.9/5 (iOS); 4.5/5 (Android)

What Betting Markets Are Available in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania offers an extensive variety of betting markets. You can find a whole host of betting types. Whether popular or niche sports, there is something for everyone. This can be a tad confusing for a beginner, so we have broken down the most popular kinds of bets below.

Moneyline 

A popular bet is made on which side will win their game or event. It's as simple as that. The payouts are determined by the odds, which are assigned to each side depending on their perceived advantage. Let’s look at an example:

• Pittsburgh Steelers (+150)

• Cleveland Browns (-180)

A $100 bet on the Pittsburgh Steelers would make a profit of $150, with a total payout of $250 if they win. The Cleveland Browns are the favorite, represented by the negative amount. Therefore, a bet of $180 would be required to win $100, which results in a $280 pay out. 

Point Spreads

This bet allows you to bet on a spread of points that is laid out by the sportsbook. Basically, you are betting on the margin of victory rather than who wins or loses. Looking at the same teams as before:

• Pittsburgh Steelers +3.5 (-110)

• Cleveland Browns -3.5 (-110)

If you bet on the Browns, they would need to win the game by 4 points or more. Whereas if you bet on the Steelers, they would need to win the game or avoid losing by 4 points. The odds usually start at around -110 for each side. 

Totals

A total bet is a wager on the total amount of points scored in a game. It is often called an over/under bet, as you wager on whether the score will be over or under the amount that is set by the sportsbook. It can look like this:

• Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns

• Over 38 (-110)

• Under 38 (-110)

Futures

A future bet is when you predict the outcome of an event or championship that will happen in the future, rather than one game. For example, if you think that the Pittsburgh Steelers will win the Super Bowl, then you can make a future bet before the season starts.

Prop Bets

Prop bets focus on individual events, actions, or player performances that are not concerned with the overall outcome of the game. These bets cover a range of situations, such as which team will score first or the amount of points that a certain player will score, as well as stats like running yards, layups, and tackles. 

Parlays

A parlay allows you to combine different bets into a single ticket for a higher payout. All the bets must be correct to win the parlay. While there is greater risk with a parlay bet, there are also better odds. A teaser is a sort of modified parlay, which allows the bettor to adjust the point spread or totals in their favor but at reduced odds. 

Live Betting

Live betting allows you to wager in the heat of the action, as games or events are in progress. You can adjust your bets based on real-time changes, with the odds changing second by second. You can find dedicated live sections on all Pennsylvania sportsbooks. 

What Can’t You Bet On in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania sports betting is subject to the following restrictions:

• You cannot bet on high school sports in Pennsylvania.

• Betting on eSports is also banned in the state.

• It is not allowed to bet on any political events, as is standard across the US.

• Wagers cannot be placed on any non-sport entertainment events, such as the Oscars.

Betting on College Sports in Pennsylvania

Yes, college sports betting is legalized in Pennsylvania. The state has several institutions which boast strong athletic programs. Here is a full list of NCAA Division 1 collegiate programs: 

• Bucknell Bison

• Drexel Dragons

• Duquesne Dukes

• La Salle Explorers

• Lafayette Leopards

• Lehigh Mountain Hawks

• Penn Quakers

• Penn State Nittany Lions

• Pittsburgh Panthers

• Robert Morris Colonials 

• Saint Francis Red Flash

• Saint Joseph’s Hawks

• Temple Owls

• Villanova Wildcats

Pennsylvania Sports Betting Facts

How Does Pennsylvania Online Sports Betting Compare to Other States?

Pennsylvania is consistently among the top handful of US sports betting states in terms of total handle and total tax revenue. In 2022, the Keystone State was 5th in total handle with a huge amount of $7.3 billion. It fell just behind New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and Nevada in that order. Considering that Pennsylvania is also the 5th largest state in terms of population, it makes sense that it generates a substantial amount of sports betting activity. 

With a 36% tax rate for sportsbook revenue, Pennsylvania has one of the highest in the US. However, it is not quite as high as New York’s online tax rate of 51%. Additionally, operators are subject to paying a $10 million licensing fee to enter the Pennsylvania market. The state has the highest licensing fee in the US, which is partly why there are fewer sportsbooks in PA than in some states, like Colorado, which has 19. 

Unlike other states, Pennsylvania has no restrictions on college sports or DFS. It has not legalized esports betting, but a bill has been recently introduced to attempt to change this.

Pennsylvania Sports Betting Updates

Pennsylvania legalized betting before the federal ban was overturned, ensuring that the state could quickly establish a place in the market. This move allowed sportsbooks to launch swiftly after the Supreme Court ruling in May 2018. 

Since then, Pennsylvania has grown to be a leading sports betting state, with $7 billion wagered in 2022 alone. Below, we have summarized the timeline of events that have occurred in the Pennsylvania sports betting landscape:

• Aug. 28, 2024 - Parx Casino announced it is closing South Philadelphia Race & Sportsbook.

• Aug. 2, 2024 - DraftKings plans to implement a “gaming tax surcharge” on customers in four states with tax rates above 20% starting on Jan. 1. These states include: PA, New York, Illinois, and Vermont.

• July 22, 2024 - bet365 receives final approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and is now fully live in the state.

• July 4, 2024 - The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board issued a $100,000 fine to Live! Casino and Hotel Philadelphia after employees accepted $287,421 in sports bets over the phone. Proxy bets are prohibited in Pennsylvania.

• June 21, 2024 - Unibet officially leaves Pennsylvania, as the operator has exited the North American sports betting landscape.

• May 22, 2024 - PA sports betting handle fell to $646 million in April, down 19.3% from March but up 12.9% from April 2023.

• April 24, 2024 - A new Senate bill, SB 1159, is filed in Pennsylvania to ban the use of credit cards to fund online gambling accounts.

• April 24, 2024 - Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Isaiah Rodgers is not among a list of players reinstated by the NFL after violating the league’s policy on gambling last year. Rodgers reportedly bet on his own team, the Indianapolis Colts, at the time.

• April 9, 2024 - Unibet will reportedly exit PA on June 21, according to parent company Kindred Group. Unibet is currently operating a sportsbook and casino in the state.

• April 5, 2024 - Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker signed a ban on skill games into law. Convenience stores and gas stations will no longer be allowed to offer skill game machines.

• April 3, 2024 - In an interview with PlayPennsylvania, gambling expert Frank Gamrat said Pennsylvania’s gambling industry has reached its saturation point.