As one of the biggest sports states in the country, with professional and collegiate teams galore, there’s no question that there’s a promising sports betting market to tap in Pennsylvania.
With 12 casinos in the state, six of which being Racinos, there are plenty of options to play, whether you prefer a resort-style casino, or standalone. The casinos in the state bring in a whopping $3.2 billion in revenues and that number is growing.
Those six racinos, are located at the racetracks, and offer thoroughbred and harness racing. These locations offer Simulcast wagering for those who want to bet on races that aren’t occurring within the state.
Can I bet on sports in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania legalized sports betting in November 2018, and already, there are three sportsbooks that are operational in the state.
The first land-based sportsbook opened in November, not long after betting was legalized, at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course and partnered with William Hill Sportsbook. On December 13th, two more sportsbooks opened at the Rivers Casino and the SugarHouse Casino, partnered with Kambi sportsbook.
There are more sportsbooks to open in coming months, at the following locations:
- Parx Casino and Racing (Kambi Sportsbook)
- Harrrahs Philadelphia (Scientific Games)
- Valley Forge (FanDuel)
- South Philadelphia Turf Club (Parx Casino)
- Presque Isle Downs (SBTech)
While having brick and mortar sportsbooks are great to have in the state, some prefer online sports betting to the real deal, because it’s fast, convenient and you can participate in live betting. There are so many perks to online gambling that many don’t know about.
Many of the above casinos are planning to launch online sportsbooks tied to their respective establishments but there are plenty of offshore sportsbooks that you can use that are well-established, safe, and offer great value.
Betting on Pennsylvania Sports Teams
In the NFL, Pennsylvania is home to two great football teams: The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Steelers were founded in 1933, are the oldest franchise in the AFC. They hold the record for most Super Bowl wins with six, and have played in more conference championships than any other NFL team.
The Eagles are the current NFL champions, winning their first Super Bowl in 2017, after a miracle season with Nick Foles coming in to lead the team to greatness. Established in 1933, they haven’t had any notable seasons until now, and are hoping to keep the momentum up and capture another title.
The resident NBA team in Pennsylvania are the Philadelphia 76ers, and they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA. They have captured three NBA titles – but not for awhile – their last NBA title was won in 1983.
There are two MLB teams in the state, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies.
Founded in 1881, the Pirates are one of the oldest teams in the league, and have won five World Series championships. The Phillies have been around almost as long, and won two World Series championships, and seven National League pennants. They went 77 years before winning their first title.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are the state’s shining star when it comes to the NHL. Founded in 1967, the team was the first of the leagues big expansion – where they added six new teams to the league bringing up the total from six to 12. The Penguins have hoisted the Stanley Cup five times, two of which have been in the past decade under the leadership of Sidney Crosby.
Another team from the 1967 NHL expansion, is the Philadelphia Flyers, who were the first expansion team to win a Stanley Cup. They won back-to-back titles in ’74 and ’75, and have not won a title since.
What to look for in an online sportsbook
It’s important to choose an online sportsbook that meets your individual needs. We have compiled a list of the top sportsbooks for U.S. bettors and have evaluated them on several important criteria that we feel are the most important and overlooked.
Having the deposit options that suit your needs, fast cashouts and big bonuses are important factors to consider before signing up at an online sportsbook, so take a look at our reviews and decide which sportsbook is right for you:
