- STATE LEGALITY GUIDE
Pennsylvania Online Casinos
Real-money online casinos are legal in Pennsylvania and have been live since July 15, 2019. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) licenses every legal site, and each online brand partners with a Pennsylvania casino. This guide covers who can play, licensed casinos, how to spot illegal sites, payments, bonuses and taxes.
PENNSYLVANIA
PA STATE GUIDE
Pennsylvania Online Casino Laws and Licensed Apps
- Real-money online casino play is legal and regulated
Current legal context
Pennsylvania legalized online casino games and poker with Act 42 of 2017, signed by Governor Tom Wolf on October 30, 2017. The first online casinos went live on July 15, 2019. Only Pennsylvania casino licensees can offer online gaming, with national brands operating through those licenses; 11 licensees reported online casino revenue in August 2026. Players must be 21+ and physically in Pennsylvania.
- Information only, not legal advice. Gambling laws and operator availability can change. Confirm current rules with the relevant regulator before acting.
Regulated by the PGCB
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board licenses every legal online casino and publishes the approved list.
Partnered With PA Casinos
Every online brand runs under a Pennsylvania casino license, such as FanDuel with Valley Forge.
21+ and Inside Pennsylvania
You must be 21+ and in Pennsylvania, and online play is blocked inside PA casinos.
1-Year to Lifetime Exclusion
The PGCB self-exclusion program blocks you from all licensed online casinos for 1, 5 years or life.
Last reviewed: October 12, 2026 · Reviewed by: Naumann Nasir, Casino Funk · Official regulatory source: Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
Complete Guide to Pennsylvania Online Casinos
Key takeaways
- Pennsylvania online casinos have been legal since Act 42 of 2017 and live since July 15, 2019.
- The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) licenses every legal site; each online brand partners with a Pennsylvania casino.
- You must be 21+ and physically inside Pennsylvania to play for real money.
- BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars Palace Online, bet365 and Fanatics all operate in Pennsylvania.
- Pennsylvania residents pay a flat 3.07% state income tax on gambling winnings. Help is available at 1-800-GAMBLER.
Pennsylvania online casinos at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Legal and regulated |
| Law | Act 42 of 2017 (HB 271), signed October 30, 2017 by Governor Tom Wolf |
| Online casino launch | July 15, 2019 |
| Regulator | Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) |
| Licensed casinos offering iGaming | 11 reporting online casino revenue (August 2026) |
| Minimum age | 21+ |
| Location rule | Must be physically in Pennsylvania (geolocation) |
| Operator tax | 54% on online slots; 16% on online table games and poker |
| Player state tax | 3.07% personal income tax on winnings (residents) |
| Helpline | 1-800-GAMBLER |
Is online gambling legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania is one of seven US states with live real-money online casinos, alongside New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island. Governor Tom Wolf signed Act 42 of 2017 on October 30, 2017, a broad gaming expansion that legalized online casino games and online poker. The first sites, from Hollywood Casino and Parx, went live on July 15, 2019, with more following that week.
Only companies that hold a Pennsylvania casino license can offer online gaming. National brands such as FanDuel and Caesars operate through those licenses. The PGCB also requires players to be inside the state and blocks online play from within Pennsylvania casino buildings.
Licensed Pennsylvania online casinos
The PGCB publishes the official list of approved online casino sites, which included more than 20 brands when we checked. These are the brands we review and their Pennsylvania partners:
| Online casino brand | Pennsylvania partner |
|---|---|
| BetMGM | A Penn Entertainment (Hollywood Casino) property |
| DraftKings | A Penn Entertainment (Hollywood Casino) property |
| FanDuel | Valley Forge Casino Resort |
| Caesars Palace Online | Harrah’s Philadelphia |
| bet365 | Presque Isle Downs (live since July 2024) |
| Fanatics | A Penn Entertainment (Hollywood Casino) property (live since January 2024) |
Partnerships and brands change. Mount Airy, for example, stopped offering internet gaming in August 2026. Always confirm a site on the PGCB list of online casino operators before you deposit.
Our reviewed casinos available in Pennsylvania
- BetMGM Casino review: big slot and progressive jackpot selection.
- DraftKings Casino review: low-cost entry offers and a polished app.
- FanDuel Casino review: simple app, live dealer games and poker.
- Caesars Palace Online Casino review: tables, video poker and Caesars Rewards.
- bet365 Casino review: shared sportsbook and casino wallet.
- Fanatics Casino review: FanCash rewards on casino play.
Compare them on our casino reviews page.
How to check that a Pennsylvania casino is legal
- Find the brand on the PGCB’s licensed online gaming operators page.
- Check the site footer for its Pennsylvania casino partner and PGCB licensing details.
- Expect geolocation: legal sites must confirm you are in Pennsylvania and not inside a casino.
- Avoid crypto-only sites, sites with no identity checks and sweepstakes casinos, none of which are licensed by the PGCB.
How to sign up and play
- Choose a PGCB-licensed casino and download its Pennsylvania app or open its PA website.
- Register with your legal name, date of birth, address and contact details. You must be 21+.
- Verify your identity; a photo ID may be required before you can play or withdraw.
- Allow location access. Play is only possible inside Pennsylvania and outside casino buildings.
- Set your limits for deposits, spending and time.
- Deposit and decide whether to claim the welcome offer after reading its terms.
Deposits and withdrawals
Pennsylvania online casinos accept a wide range of payment methods, which vary by brand. Common options include debit and credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, online banking and ACH / e-check, Play+ prepaid cards, PayNearMe and cash at a partner casino’s cage. Minimum deposits are usually $5 to $10. Withdrawals typically return to your deposit method; e-wallets are often fastest once your account is verified, and first withdrawals can take longer because of identity checks.
Games you can play
Pennsylvania casinos offer large slot libraries plus digital and live dealer table games. Learn each game first:
- Online slots, including progressive jackpots
- Blackjack, digital and live dealer
- Roulette
- Baccarat
- Video poker
- Mississippi Stud and other poker-style table games
Online poker is legal and, since April 28, 2025, Pennsylvania shares online poker player pools with other member states of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association, including New Jersey, Michigan, Nevada, Delaware and West Virginia.
Pennsylvania online casino timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| October 30, 2017 | Act 42 of 2017 signed, legalizing online casino games and poker |
| July 15, 2019 | First online casinos launch (Hollywood Casino and Parx) |
| January 2024 | Fanatics Casino launches in Pennsylvania |
| July 2024 | bet365 launches its Pennsylvania sportsbook and casino |
| April 2025 | PGCB sends cease-and-desist letters to 18 sweepstakes operators |
| April 28, 2025 | Shared multi-state online poker begins in Pennsylvania |
| August 2026 | Mount Airy stops offering internet gaming |
Playing near Pennsylvania’s borders
Pennsylvania borders New Jersey, Delaware and West Virginia, which all have their own licensed online casinos, plus New York, Ohio and Maryland, which do not. Geolocation is precise, so if you live near a state line your location check may occasionally fail or place you in the wrong state. Turn on Wi-Fi and location services, close VPNs and remote desktop software (which are blocked), and move further inside Pennsylvania if the check still fails. An account opened in Pennsylvania only works for real-money play in Pennsylvania; if you cross into New Jersey or West Virginia, you need that state’s version of the app and its own account rules.
How to choose the right Pennsylvania online casino
- Game rules: look for 3:2 blackjack, single-zero roulette and full-pay video poker.
- Bonus terms: compare wagering requirements, not headline amounts.
- Payout speed: check how fast your preferred withdrawal method pays after verification.
- Rewards: casinos tied to land-based resorts, such as Caesars and BetMGM, let you earn rewards usable in person.
- Limits: choose an app where deposit and time limits are easy to set and change.
Why Pennsylvania’s tax rate matters to players
Pennsylvania charges operators one of the highest online gaming tax rates in the US: 54% of online slot revenue (52% state plus 2% local share) and 16% on online table games and poker (14% plus 2%). Operators pay these taxes, not players, but high rates can influence how generous promotions are and which games operators push. It is one more reason to read bonus terms carefully and compare offers across brands.
Bonuses at Pennsylvania online casinos
Most Pennsylvania casinos offer bonus spins, deposit matches or lossback credits for new players. The wagering requirement tells you how much play is needed before bonus funds become withdrawable, and table games often count less than slots. Read our guide to wagering requirements and the current terms in each review before you opt in.
To see today’s welcome offers side by side, read our best online casino bonuses comparison.
Taxes on online casino winnings in Pennsylvania
Gambling winnings are taxable income for federal purposes. Pennsylvania residents also report gambling winnings for state personal income tax, which is a flat 3.07%, on Schedule T of the PA-40. Keep a record of wins and losses, which most apps let you download. This is general information, not tax advice; talk to a tax professional about your situation.
Pennsylvania’s online casino market in numbers
Pennsylvania’s online casinos generated a record $2.78 billion in revenue in 2025, up 27% on 2024, within total state gaming revenue of about $6.8 billion. Growth continued in 2026: online casino revenue was about $249.0 million in July and $245.7 million in August, up 6.25% year on year.
Offshore and sweepstakes casinos
Offshore casinos are not licensed by the PGCB and offer no protection for your funds or fair dispute resolution. Sweepstakes casinos are not licensed either: the PGCB sent cease-and-desist letters to 18 sweepstakes operators in April 2025. A bill to ban sweepstakes games outright was introduced in September 2026 but had not passed when we checked. Stick to PGCB-approved sites.
Responsible gambling in Pennsylvania
- Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537), free and confidential, 24/7.
- PGCB online self-exclusion: exclude yourself from all licensed online casinos for 1 year, 5 years or lifetime via the PGCB self-exclusion portal.
- In-app tools: deposit, spending and time limits, cool-off periods and account closure.
More help is in our responsible gambling guide and on Pennsylvania’s Responsible Play site.
Pennsylvania online casinos FAQ
Is online gambling legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Act 42 of 2017 legalized online casino games and poker, and the first online casinos launched on July 15, 2019. They are regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
How old do you have to be to play online casino games in Pennsylvania?
You must be at least 21 years old and physically located in Pennsylvania. Online play is also blocked while you are inside a Pennsylvania casino.
Which online casinos are licensed in Pennsylvania?
Only brands partnered with a Pennsylvania casino licensee can operate. They include BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars Palace Online, bet365 and Fanatics. Check the PGCB list of online casino sites for the full current list.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Pennsylvania?
They are not licensed. The PGCB sent cease-and-desist letters to 18 sweepstakes operators in April 2025, and a bill to ban them was introduced in 2026 but has not passed.
Do I pay tax on online casino winnings in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Gambling winnings are taxable federally, and Pennsylvania residents report them for state personal income tax, which is a flat 3.07%.
How do I self-exclude from online casinos in Pennsylvania?
Enroll in the PGCB’s online self-exclusion program for 1 year, 5 years or lifetime. It applies to all licensed online casinos in the state.
Other legal online casino states: Michigan online casinos · New Jersey online casinos · West Virginia online casinos. See every state on our state gambling laws page.
Sources and how we checked this guide
Information was checked in October 2026 against PGCB releases, state sources and reputable reporting. Brands, partners and offers change, so always confirm with the PGCB and the operator.
- PGCB – Interactive gaming operators
- PGCB – August 2026 revenue report
- PGCB – 2025 year-end revenue
- Responsible Play PA – Self-exclusion
- PA Department of Revenue – Gambling and lottery winnings
- Fox Rothschild – Pennsylvania gaming act highlights
- Philadelphia Inquirer – PA online casinos launch (2019)
- PokerNews – Pennsylvania joins MSIGA (2025)
Real-money online casino games are available only to players aged 21+ who are physically located in Pennsylvania. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
How to use this guide
Start with the legal-status label, then confirm the current position using the relevant regulator or legislature. Sports betting, retail casinos, social casinos and online casino gaming can have different legal treatment.
Editorial update rule
Any proposed law must be described as developing information until an official source confirms that it has taken effect.
Before you act
- Confirm your physical location and age eligibility.
- Verify the operator directly with the regulator.
- Read withdrawal and bonus terms.
- Set time and money limits.
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