Pennsylvania Online Casinos 2024
Good evening, Pennsylvania gamblers!
Let’s dive into the exciting world of PA online casinos, legalized in 2017. Since then, the industry has grown tremendously, offering residents and tourists plenty of options. In this guide, I’ll cover the best online and offline casinos in Pennsylvania, plus insights on social casinos. Ready to level up your knowledge? Let’s go!
Overview of Pennsylvania’s Online Gambling Laws
Many people who do not live in this state ask me whether gambling is legal in PA or not. The shortest possible answer I can give right now is — yes, this is a casino-friendly part of the US. However, I would also like to provide more details on that.
Legalization History
As I said in the introduction, online gambling became legal in Pennsylvania in 2017. Yet, the overall casino industry has a very turbulent past.
Act 91 was established by a state lottery regulatory body in 1971 to prevent illegal gambling. In 1993 and 1994, some attempts were made to legalize this sort of entertainment. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful.
Nothing changed explicitly in the next ten years until 2004 when gambling was entirely legalized. The rest is history!
Regulatory Body
Like anywhere else in the world, PA has its own regulatory body that controls and maintains the casino market. In this case, the name of that institution is the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Licensing and Regulation
To get a license, the owners of future casinos need to deliver a few crucial documents. For starters, they need to prove they have the necessary initial capital to start this business. Moreover, they must prove they do not have any criminal history. Finally, it is essential to prove that all their games are RNG-certified. The license issuers want to ensure fair conditions for players.
Types of Legal Gambling
Keep in mind that not every form of gambling is legal in PA. Here are all the legal casino games you can enjoy at:
Best Online Casinos in Pennsylvania in 2024
Let’s move to some direct tips! It is well-known that online casinos are taking over. Playing games via the Internet is more flexible because it allows players to play whenever and however they want. Logically, you need to focus on finding licensed and legit online casinos with the best offerings.
From my experience, there are three of them worth your attention.
Caesars Palace
Operating in Pennsylvania since 2023, Caesars Palace has quickly gained a massive following due to its impressive offerings.
- Games: Enjoy over 1,000 games from 15+ top software providers. Slots dominate the selection, with 700+ titles, most of which are mobile-friendly for Android and iOS.
- Bonuses: New players get a $10 no-deposit bonus upon registration and a 100% deposit match up to $1,000 + 2,500 reward credits. Wagering rates are 15x for slots, 30x for video poker, and 75x for other games.
- Why Play?: Caesars shines with its bonuses, game variety, quality, and strong reputation. Both mobile and desktop platforms are user-friendly, offering a smooth experience for slots, roulette, blackjack, and more.
FanDuel Casino
Launched in 2009 by Betfair Interactive US LLC, FanDuel Casino is a trusted name in gaming and sports betting.
- Games: The platform features 200+ games, including an excellent mobile experience via apps for Android and iOS.
- Bonuses: Spend just $1 to receive $100 in casino credits, with a rare 1x wagering requirement. Minimum deposit: $10.
- Why Play?: FanDuel stands out for its user-friendly app, fast payouts (usually within 24 hours), and a unique welcome package perfect for beginners.
DraftKings Casino
DraftKings Casino has been a staple in Pennsylvania’s online gambling scene since its 2012 launch.
- Games: With 800+ games, including 700+ slots, DraftKings offers one of the richest slot selections in PA. Most games are mobile-compatible and come from 20+ top developers.
- Bonuses: Wager $5 to claim $50 in free credits, with a minimal 1x wagering requirement. The minimum deposit is just $5.
- Why Play?: While free spins aren’t included in the welcome bonus, DraftKings excels with its diverse game catalog, excellent ongoing promotions, and trusted reputation.
Each of these casinos offers something special, whether it’s game variety, generous bonuses, or user-friendly platforms. Take your pick and start spinning!
Top 3 Social Casinos Available in Pennsylvania for 2024
Social casinos are also a great source of entertainment. I don’t visit them that often because I am a much bigger fan of real-money gambling. Despite that, they can be good preparation for serious sessions. To ensure the best possible experience, I recommend registering on three PA platforms.
No Limit Coins
No Limit Coins Casino welcomes new players with 100,000 Gold Coins and a 50% Super Coins match. For $20, you can also purchase 400,000 GCs, but this isn’t required.
- Payments: Options include Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Trustly, and Apple Pay.
- Licensing: While licenses aren’t mandatory for social casinos, No Limit Coins holds a Curacao license—a reassuring sign.
- Games: Powered by NetGame Entertainment, the casino offers classic slots and five-reel games, with new titles added monthly.
Customer support is available 24/7, making it easy to resolve any issues during gameplay or transactions.
Funrize Casino
Funrize Casino boasts the richest welcome package, offering 1.1 million TRN coins, 3,600 free Sweeps Coins, and 125k free coins to new players. If that’s not enough, optional purchases include:
- $5: 50,000 GC + 500 FE
- $12: 360,000 GC + 1,680 FE
- $30: 500,000 GC + 3,000 FE
- Ease of Use: The site’s user-friendly design ensures smooth navigation for games, deposits, and customer support.
- Games: Choose from 85+ slot games, including progressive jackpots like Wild Safari and Diamond Slot, mainly by NetGame.
- Payments: PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, and Apple Pay are supported.
Stake.us
Stake.us Casino stands out as one of the most popular social casinos nationwide. Operating since 2017 under Medium Rare N.V., it offers some unique perks:
- Games: Enjoy over 1,000 games, including slots, RNG table games, and live casino titles, with an average payout rate of 96.5%.
- Bonuses: Get 25 FS cash and 250,000 Gold Coins upon registration, plus daily promos of 10,000 GC and 1 Stake Cash.
- VIP Program: Active players can climb the VIP ranks and unlock special rewards.
For those wanting more, players can purchase up to $2,000 worth of coins daily, primarily using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Dogecoin for instant transactions.
How to Get Started with Online Casinos in Pennsylvania
Starting the journey at any of the online casinos in Pennsylvania is simple and quick. It is necessary to pass through five steps to accomplish your goal:
- Registration process.
Fill in your details like address, ID, email, and phone number. Ensure all information is accurate.
- Geolocation compliance.
Verify the casino’s availability in your area. Bonus and game offers may vary by state.
- Deposit.
Add funds using payment methods like credit cards or crypto to play for real money.
- Bonuses and promotions.
Check terms before claiming welcome bonuses to understand unlocking requirements.
- Responsible gaming.
Verify your ID, then set deposit or session limits to support responsible play.
Overview of Gambling Taxes in Pennsylvania
Taxes have always been a massive confusion for US gamblers. That’s why I strongly recommend you hire a tax professional for personalized guidance. Yet, since I have already passed through this, there are a few things I can tell you from my experience.
There are two types of expenses you need to face — state and federal tax. State obligations are 3.07%, while the federal ones are 24%. Still, certain amounts of money are non-taxable, and that limit differs from one casino game to another. It looks like this:
- Slot and Bingo = $1200
- Keno = $1500
- Poker = $5000
- Lottery = $600
- Sports betting = $600 and 300x wager.
There are two types of forms that players need to fill. For the state government, you must fill out PA-40 Schedule T to report your winnings at a casino properly. On the other hand, you must fill out Form 1040 Schedule 1 to pay the federal tax.
I have learned a trick related to deducing the gambling losses. You can’t apply it for state tax, but it is applicable for federal tax. When filling out Form 1040, enter the itemized losses, specifically on Line 28 or Schedule A. This way, you can reduce the expenses a lot!
Top 3 Land-Based Casinos in Pennsylvania
Playing casino games online is spectacular. Yet, I do understand people prefer to enjoy gambling in brick-and-mortar casinos. That’s why I decided to highlight the three best land-based casinos in PA.
Parx Casino
The owner of this casino is Greenwood Racing, INC, a recognizable brand in the hospitality and gambling industry. The remarkable thing about this casino is its working hours; it is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the entire year.
The casino is 200,000 square feet, one of the biggest gaming floors in the USA. You can find 3,330+ slot machines and nearly 200 table games within that space. In addition, you can enjoy premium poker rooms suitable for high rollers.
Despite the great offer, which impresses me, I love this casino because it allows casual dressing. So, come here to relax!
Wind Creek Bethlehem
If you want to get out of Philadelphia and visit Lehigh Valley, Wind Creek Bethlehem Casino is the right choice. The size of the casino is around 140,00 square feet. In addition, the entire resort has nearly 300 rooms, a spa, restaurants, and so on.
So, which games the can players enjoy? For starters, there are more than 150 table games. Some of them are blackjack, craps, roulette, Pai Gow, Texas hold ’em poker, and so on. Furthermore, I am sure that slot lovers will be amazed by the offer. The casino offers more than 3,000 of them. Some of them are 100 Lions, Mystic Lamp, 88 Fortunes, and so on.
I love this casino because of its cool VIP program. Each player can collect points to enjoy different rewards. For instance, if you earn between 20k and 50k points, you can get a 10% discount on certain purchases, a free 3-night stay at the resort, and even a birthday gift.
Rivers Casino Philadelphia
In my opinion, this is an all-in-one destination. Despite gambling, you can enjoy live music and amazing food, which is why this is one of the hottest destinations for traveling (on my list). It is the smallest one on this list, with “only” 45,000 square feet.
The gaming offer is rich, without any doubt. Despite 1,500 slot machines, you can access 72 table games and around 30 poker rooms. In addition, there is a 5,700-square-feet big sportsbook.
Future of Online Gambling Pennsylvania
It is hard to tell what will happen in the future. If I consider all the current factors, the market will probably expand. The reason for that is the different technological innovations that we may experience pretty soon. That includes the implementation of AR & VR technology and AI for better user experience and quality of games.
Responsible gambling measures, such as profile verification, limits of sessions and spending, tell me that the gambling industry in Pennsylvania has ensured healthy conditions for playing. That gives me another reason to believe that things will only go up.
People have gotten used to gambling via the internet, especially after 2020. So, I doubt that trend will end. Advanced technology has become an unskippable part of our daily routine, which is why I believe that people will continue to have fun this way.
Responsible Gambling Resources in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania casinos promote responsible gambling, offering tools like spending limits and self-exclusion to ensure gaming stays fun. The Pennsylvania Council on Problem Gambling provides support for those facing addiction.
Remember, be as wise and composed as nature’s best strategists, a.k.a. the orcas and sea otters. Tools and advice can guide you, but self-control is key. Don’t chase losses; instead, choose the PA casinos I recommend above (online, offline, or social) and savor every session responsibly.
Ready to discover more about where to legally play casino in the United States? Follow the link for my best selection of gambling sites in your location!