21+ Responsible Gambling 21+ Responsible Gambling

Pennsylvania Gambling Laws

As of July 15th, 2019, two of the first state-regulated online casinos were up and running in the state of Pennsylvania, with another set to launch just days later. Those at least 21 years old and located within the borders of the Keystone State are now able to enjoy online casino games such as slots, various table games, and video poker from the comfort of your mobile phone or desktop device. Before the year ends, many more online casinos will be introduced into the state of Pennsylvania for players to enjoy.

Legal Online Casinos in Pennsylvania

Online casinos are an online service providing game players with a platform to engage in online wagering games such as online poker, sports betting, slot machines, other table games, and more!

New to the Pennsylvania online gambling scheme is PlaySugarHouse online casino PA, Parx Casino, and Hollywood Casino, all going live with a soft launch in July. Up to nine more online casinos have been announced to enter the Pennsylvania online market within the next few years.

Thanks to the signing of the online gambling bill in 2017 by Governor Tom Wolf, Pennsylvania has become the fourth US state behind New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada, to progress to the legalization of online betting in several forms featuring online poker, sports betting, and more. With ten casinos applying for online gambling licenses by the end of 2018, it is evident that Pennsylvania has become a leading state in the online gambling industry.

PlaySugarHouse

This PA online casino officially opened for business on July 17th, 2019, and quickly became one of the leading online casino platforms within the state. SugarHouse offers many first-time bonuses along with ongoing promotions throughout gameplay.

Parx Casino

Philadelphia based online casino Parx was first introduced to the online gambling sector on its debut on June 15th, 2019, as one of the first casinos to enter the PA online gambling scene. Upon first time registration for this online casino, players receive a 100% bonus up to $500 on first-time investments, offering incentives for new players to join the online world.

Hollywood Casino

As one of three Hollywood PA online realms, Hollywood Casino debuted in Pennsylvania along with Parx as one of the first online gambling platforms in the state of June 15th, 2019. Hollywood PA also offers a Hollywood Sportsbook platform, and Hollywood Poker platform for players to enjoy. Hollywood online casino offers a first-time bonus for new players as well as ongoing promotions for its returning players.

Pittsburgh Online Sports Betting

Sports betting was first legalized in 2018, with online casinos being legalized soon after. Due to the hard work by the state of New Jersey vs. the Supreme Court to legalize sports betting throughout the entire country, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, better known as PAPSA, was finally dismissed after five years of court negotiations. Due to these actions, Pennsylvania was soon to introduce its own set of legislation within its jurisdiction to regulate its own sports betting laws.

Laws introduced to the state were decided anyone inside PA state lines that’s over the age of 21, were able to partake in online sports betting, a luxury enjoyed through the comfort of desktop devices or your personal mobile from anywhere within the state.

However, through this legislation it also states only a 0.25% through a federal excise tax on overall handling, although there is a 36% tax rate charged, there aren’t any integrity fees. Therefore, Game Operators must include a detailed operating plan and pay a $10 million fee for a license, providing all information towards the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for approval.

Legal Online Poker in Pennsylvania

Throughout the state of Pennsylvania online gambling is being presented in several forms; Many online casinos in the Keystone State operate online poker permits as well, costing another $4 million each. So far seven online casinos have been granted licenses to operate online poker:

• Harrah’s Philadelphia
• Parx Casino
• Hollywood Casino
• SugarHouse Casino
• Wind Creek Casino
• Valley Forge Casino
• Mount Airy Resort Casino

Similar to the online sports betting legislation, PA law regarding online poker requires its players to gamble within state lines and be over the age of 21.

Online Poker provides a platform for those above the appropriate age in the states of Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, and soon to be Pennsylvania, to enjoy the traditional card game of poker online from their dedicated desktops of mobile devices from anywhere within the state lines. However, when playing poker digitally it provides some slight changes than in the traditional game. By far being more accessible, the online game comes at a faster speed than expected, but also allows for making smaller amounts in investments during the game. Through these online gambling services, a wide range of poker variations is available online with different stakes available.

Geolocation Technology in Pennsylvania 

Online gambling platforms throughout the state must implement geolocation technology services across its platforms, this then determines where its players are making wages from within the state lines. However, players who may not necessarily reside in PA on a full-time basis who are able to use the online gambling services, therefore it's essential once those players leave state lines their online use may be regulated in compliance with state laws. If there are concerns of out of state play, the online casino will not give access to real money play across its services.

Sometime when enabling location services to access gameplay, there becomes a difficulty in signal strength when using a VPN or a Proxy Server. It’s recommended to players for optimal online gameplay that users connect to a wifi signal, avoiding signal difficulties.

Conclusion

Pennsylvania is quickly propelling itself to the forefront of the online gambling sector in the United States by providing more readily available legal ways of offering online casino content to players within state lines and above legal playing age. The industry has had an impact on Pennsylvania’s progression in the online state market.