Best Online Gambling In Pa

• Daily fantasy sports is one of the online gambling options in Pennsylvania that was legalized only recently. In 2018, the first daily fantasy sports operators in the state opened for business. For your convenience, we narrowed down the selection to just one recommendation.
• That puts SugarHouse among some of the best online casinos PA, namely because your benefits are numerous and graduating to higher tiers isn’t a huge hassle. We are hoping that SugarHouse Online Casino expands its selection of games, however- right now only slots are live, but clearly SugarHouse has plans to expand that to table games, card.
• 25, 2017, the Pennsylvania Senate passed a comprehensive gaming expansion package that includes online gambling in the form of online poker, online slots, as well as online table games. The next day, the PA House passed the bill as well, making Pennsylvania the fourth state in the nation to authorize online gambling.
• Unibet online casino in PA is one of the top options in the state, with $10 free just for signing up and a 100% match of your deposit up to $500. For the free money, use promo code UBCASINO10. For the deposit bonus, use promo code UBCASINO500.

PA ONLINE CASINO SITES 2020. In the past 2 years there has been a ton of attention in Pennsylvania on the launch of online sports betting. While quietly PA online casinos went live in July 2019. Currently, 6 online casinos are live in PA, along with online Poker via PokerStars PA.

With several types of online gambling available in Pennsylvania, picking a site can seem overwhelming. If you’re feeling unsure about where to go, you’ve come to the right place.

Below, you will find reviews for the best online casino and online sportsbook in Pennsylvania. We have carefully studied each site to determine what the strong suits are and, conversely, what things they need to improve.

We also discuss some of the challenges Pennsylvania’s online gambling market is facing.

With things changing almost daily, it can be challenging to keep up with online gambling news in the Keystone State. Hopefully, by reading through our information below, you can determine which sites best fit your online betting needs. Most importantly, you must be comfortable with the site and aren’t worried about anything beyond winning.

Best PA online gambling sites for 2020

Our best casino bonuses and offers

Online casinos offer bonuses to their patrons to promote loyalty for the site. This practice is especially true for new players; every online casino has an offer for those who register for the site.

Several online casinos are active in Pennsylvania. Here’s a rundown of what bonuses are available on the best sites right now:

Unibet Casino

Unibet online casino in PA is one of the top options in the state, with $10 free just for signing up and a 100% match of your deposit up to $500.

For the free money, use promo code UBCASINO10. For the deposit bonus, use promo code UBCASINO500.

The trusted brand from Europe is hoping to make a big splash in PA with the biggest library of games in the state.

Read ourUnibet PA online casino review

SugarHouse Casino

SugarHouse Casino offers new players a 100% deposit match on their first deposit. In other words, the site will match the player’s initial deposit dollar-for-dollar.

This bonus is good for up to $250. Best of all, PlaySugarHouse only requires a 1x playthrough on its bonus, so the money is quite easy to release. SugarHouse is the best PA casino when it comes to bonus offers.

All a new player needs to do is use promo code 250MATCH when he or she makes a deposit. This deposit bonus is likely the best available in Pennsylvania right now.

Read our Sugarhouse PA Casino review

Hollywood Casino

At first glance, Hollywood online casino’s bonus seems rather meager in comparison to the other two casinos. After all, $25 is not much compared to hundreds of dollars. However, this $25 does not require a deposit. It’s absolutely free.

All new players must do is register on the site. There’s no need to enter any promo code or other activity. As a result, the registrant will find $25 waiting for them.

Best of all, there’s only a 1x playthrough requirement. So, wager through the $25 once, and it’s ready for withdrawals.

Read our Hollywood Casino review

PA online casinos partnership tracker

The table below shows the Pennsylvania casinos that have applied for licenses. You can see their expected technology partners, and whether they have an additional online sports betting license.

Casino	Online partners	Online Casino launch projection
Hollywood (Penn National)	N/A	Launched July 2019
Parx	GAN	Launched July 2019
Rivers Philadelphia	Rush Street Interactive / Kambi	Launched July 2019 (PlaySugarHouse)
PokerStars Casino	888 / PokerStars	Launched Nov. 2019
Unibet	Kindred	Launched Nov. 2019
FanDuel Casino	IGT / GAN	Launched Jan. 2020
Presque Isle Downs	BetAmerica	Launched Jan. 2020
Rivers Philadelphia	Rush Street Interactive / Kambi	Launched Jan. 2020 (BetRivers)
Harrah's	Scientific Games / 888 (Caesars)	Launched April 2020
Wind Creek Casino	Pala Interactive	Launched July 2020
Live! Casino	GAN	Launched Aug. 2020
Barstool Casino	Penn National	2020
Hollywood (Penn National)	BetMGM	Launched Dec. 2020
Golden Nugget NJ	NYX	Application pending

Best sportsbook bonuses and offers

Online sports betting is a relatively new concept in Pennsylvania. Several betting sites have launched, and there’s a bit of an arms race underway.

Here’s a look at our welcome bonuses offers:

SugarHouse Sportsbook

SugarHouse Sportsbook was the first online sportsbook to open its doors in Pennsylvania. So, fittingly, the book has a great dollar-for-dollar welcome bonus.

New players at SugarHouse will receive a 100% match on their first deposit. All they have to do is enter promo code 250MATCH when entering their banking details.

Best of all, this match is good for deposits of up to $250. There’s only a 1x playthrough requirement, so it’s quite simple to release. Few bonuses are as good as this one in Pennsylvania right now.

Read our Sugarhouse Sportsbook review

BetRivers Sportsbook

BetRivers’ online sportsbook does have a bonus that rivals SugarHouse’s deposit match. In fact, it’s the same.

Thanks to its shared corporate ownership, BetRivers and SugarHouse are sister sites. So, the two books are going to function as mirrors in many cases, including bonus offers.

Naturally, that means that BetRivers players can also receive a 100% match on their first deposits. This match extends up to $250.

New players must use the promo code 250MATCH to activate the bonus when they make that first investment. The 1x playthrough requirement is about as minimal as those restrictions get, so it should be no problem to recover a significant portion of free money from BetRivers.

Read our BetRivers Sportsbook review

FanDuel Sportsbook

To casual fans, FanDuel might seem like a strange addition to the sports betting landscape. However, the daily fantasy sports giant has become quite a force in online sports betting in the past few years.

So, Pennsylvanians can get a taste of what all the fuss is. New accounts at FanDuel online sportsbook will receive a risk-free bet of up to $500.

New FanDuel players don’t need a promo code to activate this deal. They simply must join FanDuel here and make their first wager.

There is a 1x playthrough requirement on the bonus, which means players must make another bet of equal size to release the funds.

Essentially, players are receiving two bets for the price of one. Still, that’s a great deal for most, mainly if one of them happens to win.

As an added bonus, there is also a FanDuel Casino integrated within the PA FanDuel sports betting app.

Read our Fanduel PA Sportsbook review

Full list of sportsbooks and partnerships

Online sportsbook	Casino	Retail sportsbook launch	Online sportsbook launch
PlaySugarHouse	Rivers Casino Philadelphia	Dec. 15, 2018	Launched May 2019
BetRivers	Rivers Casino Pittsburgh	Dec. 15, 2018	Launched June 2019
Parx	Parx Casino Sportsbook	Jan. 10, 2019	Launched June 2019
FanDuel	Valley Forge Casino	March 13, 2019	Launched July 2019
Kambi/Hollywood	Hollywood Casino at Penn National	Nov. 17, 2018	2020 (Barstool Sportsbook)
Caesars Sportsbook	Harrah's Philadelphia	Jan. 24, 2019	Launched March, 20020
BetAmerica	Presque Isle Downs Casino	July 26, 2019	Launched Dec. 2019
Fox Bet	Mount Airy	Sept. 12, 2019	Launched Sept. 2019
Unibet	Mohegan Sun Pocono	Sept. 24, 2019	Launched Nov. 2019
DraftKings	The Meadows	Oct. 7, 2019	Launched Nov. 2019
N/A	Oaks Race & Sportsbook (Now Closed)	March 14, 2019 (permanently closed in July, 2020)	N/A
N/A	South Philadelphia Turf Club	Jan. 17, 2019	N/A
N/A	The Downs at Lehigh Valley	Jan. 2020 (Unibet Sportbook)	N/A
Betfred Sportsbook	Wind Creek Casino	2020	2020
Live! Sportsbook	Live! Casino Philadelphia (2021)	2021	2020

Many of these online sports betting offerings will eventually be tied to a PA online casino site. For example, Harrah’s will likely roll everything into its single Caesars Online Casino product. PlaySugarHouse offers a shared account between casino and sports betting as well.

The lone exception is if you are an iPhone user. Changes to the Apple app store guidelines make these shared apps difficult, so you might see a sports betting app before you get a real-money online casino app in the lineup. And there is a chance they will remain separate.

What’s legal and illegal for online sports betting?

Few newly legalized activities come without rules and exceptions to their legality. Pennsylvania’s online sports betting is no different.

The good news is that Pennsylvania residents and visitors can wager on any professional, collegiate or international sporting events. The only requirements are:

• Be at least 21 years or older
• Be physically within Pennsylvania state lines
• Wager on an approved, regulated Pennsylvania site

However, the betting must occur on sporting events.

So, non-sports events, such as the Academy Awards or political elections, are not permitted for betting.

Finally, people who are intrinsically involved with a particular sport cannot wager upon it. So, players, officials, coaches, and other sports personnel cannot place bets on their own sports.

Concerning online casinos, most people can play without any restriction. Adults who are at least 21 years old are more than welcome to take part.

However, there is absolutely no online casino play allowed across state lines. The sites use geolocation software to monitor every player’s physical location. You must enable this function on your mobile device or you won’t be allowed to play.

The other exception is people who have placed themselves on the self-exclusion list. There is a separate self-exclusion list in Pennsylvania specifically for online play. Unfortunately, gambling addiction is a real problem, and online casinos are careful not to exacerbate the issue for people who are in recovery.

PA casino apps

With Pennsylvania moving into the online casino space, there are a few points about using these programs that bear mention.

First and foremost, it’s important to know that each casino app will figure out what device you’re using automatically. So, whether you use a laptop or a mobile device, the app will size the casino to fit your screen.

For the most part, every online casino has a browser version that will always work on desktops and some phones.

With that said, many casinos have a dedicated app specific to mobile use. If you are a mobile user, you may find the app to provide a smoother experience.

The mobile apps may also have greater functionality than the browser version. However, the game selection on the app can be smaller because some games don’t translate to mobile.

Finally, no matter which platform you use, you will have to go through some steps for the app to work.

Apple users should be aware all PA casinos or sportsbooks have a native iOS app.

Android users can play on all of the casinos in Pennsylvania but they will need to download the app from the casino website. The Google Play store does not support the distribution of gambling apps.

What online casino games are available in PA casinos?

Online casinos feature many of the same games that one might find in a land-based casino. Here are some of the types of games you may find at your favorite site.

Because of the laws requiring Pennsylvania-specific servers for any game providers to PA online casinos, the selection may not be what you are used to if you’ve ever played on a New Jersey online casino, for example.

Slots

The bread and butter for land-based casinos, slots, are the main focus for most online casinos too. An online slot is technically not a machine, but it functions identically otherwise.

A slot game will usually feature several rotating reels with various symbols drawn on them. The reels stop, and the player wins (or doesn’t) based upon the patterns the reels come to rest.

Many slots also feature bonus games or features that provide extra chances for players to win. Bonuses tend to be mini-games and have a higher chance of success than the slot game at large.

Each online casino in Pennsylvania offers a selection of games. That variety depends mostly on the deals each casino has with the game publishers.

So, the following is a list of the most popular slot developers and their games that are playable at the best PA online casinos:

NetEnt: At this time, all games on SugarHouse Casino are produced by NetEnt Games. NetEnt became an industry leader in the world of online slots by providing players with realistic games that replicated those in a Vegas casino. The list of games below includes the top games you will find at Pennsylvania online casinos.

• Blood Suckers II
• Dead or Alive
• Divine Fortune
• Drive: Multiplier Mayhem
• Gonzo’s Quest

Konami: Konami is a household name in the online casino industry. As of the time of writing, this slot developer is only available at select casinos and with only a handful of Konami slot games. Here is a list of games available at select PA casinos:

• African Diamond
• Ancient Dragon
• China Shores
• Full Moon Diamond
• Solstice Celebration

IGT: IGT is a massive global brand with more than 1,000 styles of slot machines in brick-and-mortar casinos and hundreds available online. But there is a limited number of IGT slots in Pennsylvania. This list includes the top games you’ll be able to find online.

• The Big Easy
• Cleopatra
• Crown of Egypt
• King of Atlantis
• Pixies of the Forest

Other game developers entering the Pennsylvania market include Incredible Technologies, Everi Gaming, GAN, H5G, and Slot Symphony.

Video poker

Video poker games are often lumped together with slots. The main difference is that players retain a certain measure of control over the way the game proceeds.

Video poker creates a virtual simulation of a typical five-card draw poker hand. The player receives five cards, can choose to hold as many as they like and then redraws.

The goal is to make a five-card hand that qualifies as a winner. Exactly which rank of hand is required to win varies from game to game.

Table games

Players who prefer a more tactile experience tend to stick to table games. These are games that use a virtual simulation of activities that involve playing cards, dice, balls, or prize wheels.

Blackjack

The most common table game is blackjack. This card game is a competition between the player and the dealer to see whose combination of cards can get closest to 21 in value.

The catch is that the player must act before the dealer and rely on incomplete information to do so. As a result, the casino retains a slight mathematical edge.

However, players can mitigate this edge by using basic strategy. Basic strategy is a widely published set of behaviors designed to play blackjack optimally.

Roulette

The second-most common table game is roulette.

This French version of the game is found in almost any casino with table games. In fact, PlaySugarHouse elected to launch three variants of roulette in its PA online casino before publishing any versions of blackjack.

Basically, roulette involves a randomly released ball falling into a spinning wheel with numbered slots. Players wager based upon which numbers they believe the ball will fall into.

When playing roulette, you will choose between European and American roulette. European roulette features only a single zero on the wheel and boasts better odds for the players. American roulette, on the other hand, features a 0 and a 00, worsening the odds for players.

There are a variety of choices and combinations of numbers that players can choose to bet. Roulette is a staple for casinos due to its pace of play and chance at incredible winnings. A correct bet on a single number will pay 35:1.

Craps

Craps seems to be a bit less likely to appear in PA online casinos. The game itself, which plays with dice rolls, a large tub-like pit, and myriad ways to wager, is likely a challenge for programmers to realize in a virtual setting.

Nonetheless, craps is a dice-based game, which involves players attempting to roll certain numbers on a pair of dice. Players wager based upon the likelihood of various combinations appearing on the dice.

The probability of those combinations often determines the prescribed payout for various wagers on the board. The casinos generate their profit margin by ensuring that the payout odds are worse than the event odds.

For example, a particular number may only have one chance in three of occurring, but a successful wager will only payout 2:1.

Other table games

Several table games are available from time to time at online casinos. These games are less common and, frankly, have a bigger house edge to them.

Nevertheless, they can be a fun option for someone looking for a change of pace. Some other table games include:

• Casino Hold ’em
• Caribbean Stud
• EZ Baccarat
• Let It Ride
• Pai Gow Poker
• Three-card poker
• Ultimate Texas Hold ’em

Live dealer games at PA casinos

People often speak about the “next big thing.” For online gambling in the US, live dealer games are that thing.

This style of online casino game has been nothing short of a revolution. It has propelled casinos in New Jersey to great heights. Live dealer games will come to a Pennsylvania online casinos as soon as the operators can get it off the ground.

Essentially, live dealer games are games dealt in real-time and broadcast live across the site. Real dealers run the games in an interactive studio located in or near the actual land-based casino itself. In fact, there are a few games conducted on the casino floor itself.

Players can place their bets, interact with the dealers, or even interact with one another. Some versions of live dealer games have even expanded to allow players to have multiple views of the game in action.

So far, the following games are available in a live dealer setting in New Jersey. Hopefully, they will appear in Pennsylvania soon:

• Baccarat
• Blackjack
• Casino Hold ’em
• Roulette
• Three-card poker
• Ultimate Texas Hold ’em

Stay on top of things with your favorite online site. Live dealer games are not something to miss.

More about PA’s legal online gambling industry

Online poker, online casino table games, and slots became legal in Pennsylvania as a part of a comprehensive gambling expansionpackagepassed by state legislators in October 2017.

The PGCB is providing regulatory oversight for the local online gambling industry. Casinos could get all three types of interactive gaming licenses at once for a $10 million licensing fee. The cost was $4 million each individually for slots, table games, and peer-to-peer games like poker.

There is no limit on the number of skins, or alternatively branded online gambling operations, that can operate under each licensee. However, regulations designed by the board stipulate branding for the skins must clearly identify the licensee. Plus, players can only create one account per licensee, not per skin.

Potential PA online casinos

According to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), there are 10 stand-alone and racetrack casinos and two smaller resort casinos operating inside the state. Plus, a 13th casino, Live! Philadelphia, is coming to the South Philadelphia Sports Complex area, home of Philadelphia’s professional sports teams.

All of these PA casino operations could have applied for online gambling operator licenses in the state beginning April 16, 2018. The properties had until July 16 to turn in applications for a $10 million comprehensive interactive gaming license. With this license, casinos can offer online poker, online slots, and online table games.

There were nine casinos which applied:

• Harrah’s Philadelphia
• Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
• Mount Airy Casino Resort
• Parx Casino
• Rivers Casino Pittsburgh
• Wind Creek (formerly Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem)
• Rivers Philadelphia (formerly SugarHouse Casino)
• Valley Forge Resort Casino
• Live! Philadelphia Casino (under development)

After applying, Rivers Casino Pittsburg eventually rescinded its application, electing to punt on online gambling. Stadium Casino, now called Live! Philadelphia, did something similar, opting to forgo an online poker license.

Meanwhile, both Presque Isle Downs and Mohegan Sun Pocono applied for a la carte licenses. Presque Isle opted to skip poker. Mohegan surprisingly signed up for all three at a cost of $2 million more than its competitors. However, like Rivers and Live!, it too abandoned its online poker plans.

That left 12 unclaimed interactive licenses. PGCB opened up a process for qualified gambling entities (QGE) from outside of Pennsylvania to claim them.

Only two groups applied. MGM Resorts has preliminary approval for all three categories of license. Golden Nugget Atlantic City can offer table games and slots, but no online poker.

These two major US gaming players will be among the last to launch online casino and sports betting products in PA. They will also be the only sites without a PA land-based casino partner.

Potential PA online poker sites

The first online poker site to go live in the state was PokerStars PA when it fully launched on Nov. 6, 2019. The global poker brand is offered in conjunction with its land-based counterpart Mount Airy Casino Resort.

Today, 10 of 12 Pennsylvania casinos have poker rooms. Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin and Valley Forge Casino Resort are the only casinos in the state that do not have poker rooms.

More than 220 live poker tables are operating across the state with the 10 rooms pulling in an average of $4 million in revenue every month.

Plans for Live! in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex area include opening a poker room when the facility opens its doors in early 2021.

In addition to Mount Airy, six more PA casinos plan to offer an online poker counterpart. Those that will launch an online poker room in Pennsylvania (MGM is applying as an out-of-state entity) include:

• Harrah’s Philadelphia
• Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
• Parx Casino
• Wind Creek Casino
• Rivers Casino Philadelphia
• Valley Forge Resort Casino
• MGM Resorts (QGE – no land-based partner)

PA online gambling site safety

PGCB will regulate all online gaming sites in the state. This is the same branch of the state government that regulates all land-based PA casinos.

Other important points regarding PA online gambling security

The regulations designed by PGCB will include several security measures specifically designed to:

• Ensure player balances are held in a separate account from operating funds
• Force sites to implement a rigorous player verification process
• Prevents minors from gaining access
• Deal with problem gamblers
• Force sites to implement geolocation software making sure all players are within the state
• All deposits and withdrawals are processed securely

Pennsylvania online casinos offer exclusive bonus deals to first-time players. These offers include both a no-deposit bonus and a deposit bonus. Each of these offers come with a promo code players use to activate the offer.

No-deposit bonuses are especially intriguing because you don’t need to make a real-money deposit to receive this reward. All you must do to claim it is create an account.

A deposit bonus requires you to fund your account with the minimum deposit amount. The advantage to these deals is that they’re worth more than free play, with some bonuses offering up to $1,000 or more.

Pennsylvania online casinos are expected mid-2019, but it is safe to assume at least some of the operators will offer industry-standard bonuses of both the deposit and no-deposit variety.

Keep in mind, though, that PA online casinos aren’t handing you “free” cash once they start offering bonuses. Instead, you will earn the money by satisfying terms and conditions.

We discuss these terms in our Pennsylvania online casino reviews. You can find exact bonus terms and conditions on the casinos’ websites. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) requires that every internet gaming operator list terms for bonuses and promotions.

Pennsylvania online lottery bonuses

Now, PA online casinos have not launched yet. But there is one promo you can take advantage of right now.

In June of 2018, the Pennsylvania Lottery launched its first wave of online lottery instant win games. These games work like scratch-off tickets. However, instead of using a coin, you can just click your mouse. The games are available on desktop and do not require any downloads.

If you want though, there is PA Lottery app which also offers the games. The app, which is available for both Apple and Android also includes features like a ticket scanner, the latest Keno numbers, and more. Apple users can find the app in the iTunes store. Android users will need to download the app from the PA Lottery website.

Currently, the PA online lottery is offering a free $5 when new players sign up for an account. The process is very easy. You can be online and ready to go in a matter of minutes.

How Pennsylvania no-deposit bonuses work

Earning free-play bonuses at PA internet casinos begins with creating an account. This is a simple process that will likely involve entering your:

• Name
• Home address
• Email
• Username
• Password
• Relevant promo code

Once you’ve filled out the required fields, the casino will verify your account through automation. Key qualifications include being within Pennsylvania state borders and not enrolled in the state’s gambling self-exclusion program.

You’ll receive your no-deposit bonus once your account is verified. You can then use it to play the casino’s real-money games.

Why do PA online casinos offer no-deposit bonuses?

Because no-deposit bonuses seem like free money, some players wonder why online casinos offer them. The reason is that online gambling is a competitive space. As such, casinos are in constant battle for attracting the attention of gamblers. No-deposit bonuses are the ultimate weapon.

Additionally, online casinos use no-deposit offers as an opportunity to obtain players’ email addresses. Collecting emails increases a casino’s reach when they send out promotional offers.

Many players are willing to give casinos their email in exchange for free money. If you don’t want to continue receiving offers, you can always unsubscribe.

What’s the catch in a no-deposit bonus?

Players don’t assume any financial risk when signing up for a no-deposit bonus. The only cost is the few moments that it requires to create an account and await verification.

The catch, though, is that you must satisfy terms and conditions before the money becomes yours to withdraw. Online casinos don’t just hand out $20 to new customers with no strings attached. You must earn the money by meeting the stated terms.

The following terms are generally the same across the board:

• New players — No-deposit offers are only open to new customers at each casino.
• Wagering requirements (a.k.a. playthrough) — You must wager a specified amount before withdrawing the bonus.
• Claim the bonus — After creating your account, you must visit the bonus section or contact support staff to claim the bonus. However, this is not always required.
• Timeframe — You have to claim your bonus within the stated amount of time (e.g. three days).
• Expiration date — Once claimed, your bonus must be used within a certain number of days (e.g. seven).
• Game restrictions — Some no-deposit bonuses can only be used on specific games.

Earning your no-deposit bonus

Here’s an example to illustrate the process of unlocking a no-deposit bonus:

• You sign up at a PA online casino and use the appropriate bonus code.
• The casino emails you confirming that your account has been validated.
• You’re eligible for a $20 no-deposit bonus.
• Log into your account, visit the bonus section, and claim your free play.
• Wager the $20 bonus five times on slots before withdrawing it.
• You have seven days after claiming the bonus to meet the playthrough requirement.

No-deposit bonuses are usually significantly smaller than first deposit bonuses.

Best Online Gambling In Pennsylvania

Free play bonuses

Free play bonuses are a subtype of no-deposit bonuses. The difference between the two is that free play bonuses cannot be withdrawn and can only be used to try out the casino’s real-money games for free. However, should the gambler win any money in the course of wagering their free play, those winnings may be eligible for withdrawal after meeting certain wagering requirements.

How PA online casino deposit bonuses work

Most Pennsylvania casino sites offer match deposit bonuses. These deals give you a match percentage based on the size of your first deposit

Here’s an example:

• A casino is offering a 50 percent match bonus up to $400.
• This means that the maximum bonus you can receive is $400.
• You deposit $200, which makes you eligible for a $100 bonus.

“Eligible” is the key word here, because the deposit bonus isn’t technically yours until you earn it. Casinos put the money into a bonus balance until you’ve satisfied specific terms and conditions. Once you earn the money, you can either withdraw it or use it to keep playing.

Meeting wagering requirements on PA deposit bonuses

Playthrough requirements on Pennsylvania online casino deposit bonuses will probably be expressed through one of two ways:

• Multiple of the bonus
• Multiple of the bonus plus deposit amount

The multiple of the bonus allows you to do the math slightly quicker.

Here’s an example on calculating wagering requirements with a multiple of the bonus:

• You’re eligible for a $100 bonus
• Wagering requirements are 20x the bonus
• 100 x 20 = $2,000 must be wagered

Here’s an example on calculating a multiple of the bonus plus deposit:

• You’re eligible for a $50 bonus
• Wagering requirements are 10x the bonus plus deposit
• (50 + 50) x 10 = $1,000 must be wagered

Again, the method used to express online bonus wager terms doesn’t, in and of itself, affect the attractiveness of the offer. What matters more is the overall value of the bonus, which depends on its maximum size and the total playthrough requirement.

Here’s a comparison between two casinos that differ in terms of expressing playthrough requirements:

• You’re eligible for a $100 bonus at two different internet casinos
• The first casino features a playthrough of 10x the bonus.
• 100 x 10 = $1,000 must be wagered
• The second casino features wagering requirements of 20x the bonus
• 100 x 20 = $2,000 must be wagered
• The first gaming site offers the better deal

Keep in mind that it was the total wagering requirement that determined which deal was the better one, not the calculation method.

Online Casinos In Pa

Pay attention to how many days you have to earn a deposit bonus

Most online casinos give you more time to earn deposit bonuses than they do to earn no deposit bonuses. The reason why is because the wagering requirements on the former are higher. But you should still pay close attention to how long you have to unlock your bonus.

The general time frame is anywhere between 30 and 90 days. Casinos that allow 90 days sometimes do this to make up for having higher playthrough requirements than competitors.

This leaves you deciding what’s more valuable: lower betting requirements or more time to release the bonus.

If you’re conflicted, run the math to decide if earning a bonus in 30 days is realistic. Here’s an example:

• You must wager $5,000 to unlock your bonus
• You have one month to do so
• 5,000 / 30 = 167.67
• Bet an average of $167.67 per day to meet the requirements
• Make slots spins worth $0.25 apiece
• Complete 500 spins per hour
• 500 x 0.25 = $125 wagered per hour
• 167.67 / 125 = 1.34 hours
• You need to play slots for an average of 1.34 hours per day to reach the requirements.

If playing slots for this long each day doesn’t fit into your schedule, then consider a bonus deal that offers a longer time frame. Another option includes making a smaller deposit so that the wagering requirements are easier to reach.

Check stipulations on games for each promo code

Another important aspect of terms and conditions is game stipulations. Internet casinos weigh games differently in regard to wagering requirements. The house edge is the main determinant in deciding this.

Online slots, Keno, and scratch cards give casinos the biggest advantage. Therefore, these games have the lowest playthrough requirements.

Video poker and table games such as Baccarat, Blackjack, Craps, and Roulette have a lower house edge. The trade-off is that they also feature higher playthrough.

Don’t let high wagering requirements scare you, though, because this doesn’t always indicate a worse deal. The following example shows that slots and table games are comparable when unlocking deposit bonuses:

• You’re deciding whether to play slots or blackjack to earn a $50 bonus
• Slots carry 20x the bonus wagering requirements.
• 50 x 20 = $1,000 must be wagered
• You play a slot with 95 percent payback
• 1,000 x 0.05 = $50 theoretical loss
• Blackjack features 100x the bonus wagering requirements
• 50 x 100 = $5,000 must be wagered
• You’re playing a Blackjack game with a 0.5 percent house edge (w/ perfect strategy)
• 5,000 x 0.005 = $25 theoretical loss

Despite having wagering requirements that are five times as high, Blackjack helps you keep more bonus money in this example. This is why it’s important to compare playthrough between different games to determine which is the best approach mathematically.

Also, note that the exact games you choose have a big impact on your bonus earnings. Baccarat (as low as 1.06% house edge) and European Roulette (2.70%) have the same playthrough requirements at many online casinos. But Baccarat’s lower house advantage gives you a stronger chance to collect bonus profits.

What are good wagering requirements for PA online casino deposit bonuses?

The standard for slots playthrough is 20x the bonus amount. This is a fair deal that sees you theoretically break-even on slots with 95-percent payback and profit with anything above this amount.

You’ll find casinos that deviate from the norm by offering 5x or 30x requirements. The former is an exceptional offer and gives you a great chance to profit on slots with a return of 95 percent or higher. Meanwhile, 30x playthrough is as bad as it gets.

Here’s an example on how varying slots wagering requirements affect bonus winnings:

Online Gambling Pennsylvania

• You’re eligible for a $100 bonus at two PA internet casinos
• You play a slot with 96 percent payback at both sites
• One casino has 10x playthrough
• 100 x 10 = $1,000 must be wagered
• 1,000 x 0.04 = $40 theoretical loss
• The other casino has 30x playthrough
• 100 x 30 = $3,000 must be wagered
• 3,000 x 0.04 = $120 theoretical loss

The first casino sees you walk away with a $60 theoretical profit. The second casino sees you lose $20.

You should aim for table game playthrough of at least 100x the bonus. A 100x requirement on a one-percent house edge game offers the same chance to earn bonus profits as a slot with 95-percent payback and a 20x turnover.

The worst playthrough on the international online casino market is 200x. Here’s a comparison between this and the 100x requirements:

• You’re eligible for a $200 bonus at two casinos
• You play Baccarat (1.06% house edge) at both sites
• The first casino has 100x wagering requirements
• 200 x 100 = $20,000 must be wagered
• 20,000 x 0.0106 = $212 theoretical loss
• $200 – $212 = -$12 net losses

• The other casino has 200x wagering requirements
• 200 x 200 = $40,000 must be wagered
• 40,000 x 0.0106 = $424 theoretical loss
• $200 – $424 = -$224 net losses

You’ll theoretically end up losing in both cases. But the first casino sees you lose $12. Meanwhile, the second casino leaves you with $224 in theoretical losses.

How to evaluate PA online casino promo codes

Great bonuses are a general theme in the regulated US online gaming market. This is true in states such as Delaware and New Jersey.

You can really see the separation when comparing regulated sites to offshore casinos. An offshore casino operates in unregulated markets, which cover most of the US. These operations are usually housed in Caribbean countries that have lax standards regarding internet gaming.

Their bonus deals are designed to guarantee the casino a profit over the average player. Standard wagering requirements on offshore bonuses are typically 40x, which is worse than anything seen in regulated states.

Here’s a comparison between playing for a $100 bonus at an offshore and a regulated casino:

• An offshore casino’s wagering requirements are 40x the bonus
• 40 x 100 = $4,000 must be wagered
• A Pennsylvania casino’s wagering requirements are 20x the bonus.
• 20 x 100 = $2,000 must be wagered
• A player pursues both bonuses on a slot with 95-percent payback
• 4,000 x 0.05 = $200 theoretical loss at the offshore casino
• 2,000 x 0.05 = $100 theoretical loss at the PA casino

When accounting for the bonus, you’d theoretically break-even in this scenario at a US online casino. Meanwhile, you’d lose $100 when going for the same bonus at the offshore casino.

Bonus codes vs. promo codes

You’ll see the terms bonus codes and promo codes used throughout internet gaming. This can lead players to wonder if there’s a big difference between the two.

For the most part, bonus and promo codes are used interchangeably to describe welcome bonuses. One casino may mention how you must use a bonus code to get their welcome bonus package, while another casino will describe it as a promo code. The two are the same in that you must enter them upon signing up to get the deal.

However, one key distinction is when promo codes are used to describe a temporary promotion. For example, a PA casino might email you about a 100-percent deposit bonus for existing members. And they’ll state that you must use a specific promo code when depositing. In this context, a promo code applies only to short-term promotions.

However, in most cases, the only thing you need to worry about is ensuring that you enter the correct code during registration or in the cashier.

Overview of Pennsylvania’s casino market

Pennsylvania is one of the largest regulated gaming markets in the US. The state has over 12.8 million residents and 12 land-based gambling venues that can offer internet gaming.

10 of these casinos are resorts or racinos, while the other two are small slots parlors. Pennsylvania will feature another casino in 2020 when the South Philadelphia Sports Complex is scheduled to complete their gaming venue.

Here’s the current list of PA land-based casinos:

• Harrah’s Philadelphia in Chester (racino)
• Hollywood Casino Grantville in Dauphin (racino)
• Meadows Racetrack and Casino in North Strabane Township (racino)
• Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Plains Township (racino)
• Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono (casino resort)
• Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington (resort casino)
• Parx Casino and Racing in Bensalem (racino)
• Presque Isle Downs in Erie (racino)
• BetRivers Casino in Pittsburgh (stand-alone casino)
• Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem (casino resort)
• South Philadelphia Sports Complex (scheduled for 2020)
• SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia (casino resort)
• Valley Forge Casino Resort in Upper Merion Township (resort casino)

Casinos must hold separate licensing to offer online slots, table games, and poker. Individual licenses cost $4 million, while a casino can purchase all three internet gaming licenses for $10 million. Considering these relatively high expenses, some smaller casinos are still pondering their entry into the market.

Given the large number of eligible casinos, competition is fierce in PA’s new internet gaming market.