Online Gambling in Pennsylvania: Complete Guide

Pennsylvania is one of the largest legal online gambling markets in the United States. With a population of nearly 13 million and a well-established land-based casino industry, the state's move into iGaming created a substantial and rapidly growing digital market that rivals New Jersey in monthly revenue.

History and legislation

Governor Tom Wolf signed Act 42 into law in October 2017, making Pennsylvania the fourth state to legalize online casino gambling. The law authorized online slots, table games, and poker, along with sports betting and daily fantasy sports. However, the rollout was gradual — the first online casino sites did not launch until July 2019, nearly two years after legalization.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) oversees all licensed operators. Each online platform must be tied to one of the state's land-based casino license holders. The PGCB enforces strict standards for game fairness, data security, geolocation compliance, and responsible gambling practices.

Tax structure

Pennsylvania has one of the highest operator tax rates in the nation. Online slots are taxed at 54% of gross gaming revenue, while online table games and poker carry a 16% tax rate. Despite these steep rates, operators continue to invest in the market due to the state's large player base. For players, gambling winnings are subject to the standard Pennsylvania income tax rate of 3.07%, and winners may also owe federal income tax.

Key operators

Several major brands hold Pennsylvania licenses and compete for market share:

• BetMGM — partnered with Hollywood Casino, offering a wide game library.
• DraftKings Casino — aggressive promotions and a growing slots catalog.
• FanDuel Casino — popular for its user-friendly interface and live dealer games.
• BetRivers — operated by Rush Street Interactive, tied to Rivers Casino Philadelphia.
• PokerStars PA — the only dedicated online poker room in the state, operated under the Mount Airy license.

Getting started

To register at a PA online casino, you must be at least 21 years old and physically located within Pennsylvania state lines when placing wagers. The sign-up process requires your legal name, date of birth, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a residential address. Identity verification is completed electronically in most cases.

Popular deposit methods include bank transfers, debit cards, PayPal, and Play+ prepaid cards. Most operators also accept cash deposits at their partnered land-based casinos. Withdrawals typically take one to five business days depending on the method chosen.

Responsible gambling resources

All PGCB-licensed operators must provide tools for deposit limits, loss limits, session time alerts, and self-exclusion. Pennsylvania's self-exclusion program allows players to ban themselves from all licensed gambling sites for one year, five years, or permanently. For confidential support, contact 1-800-GAMBLER or visit the PGCB's responsible gaming page for additional resources.