Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania had a sports betting bill in place prior to PASPA being overturned, so once it did, the Keystone State was quickly able to establish a strong market with 11 mobile betting apps and retail facilities available.

Pennsylvania has many prominent professional and collegiate sports teams, and residents can legally wager on all of them. Betting on in-state colleges is allowed, with the only exception being that player props on college athletes are prohibited. Aside from college player props, bettors are not legally allowed to wager on politics, eSports, and events like the NFL Draft.

Horse racing has been present in PA for decades, with multiple racetracks all over the state, so betting on these races is entirely legal. Not only are racebooks available for download in PA, but daily fantasy sports apps are as well, as the DFS market is nearly as vast as the mobile sports betting app market in PA.

How the Mummers Parade could spark a cultural betting boom in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia’s legendary Mummers Parade attracts thousands to Broad Street every New Year’s Day with a vibrant mix of costumes, choreography, and brass-band swagger. However, beyond the excitement and tradition, an intriguing betting opportunity appears. This beloved cultural tradition could evolve into a novelty wagering market. With structured judging, competitive categories, and intense local pride, the parade already has the makings for prop-style betting.

Bettors could wager on categories such as “Best Dressed Troupe,” “Most Creative Float,” or even the crowd size at specific time blocks or intersections. By embracing local heritage through interactive, low-stakes prop bets, Pennsylvania could tap into a lucrative and culturally rich expansion of its already thriving betting market. In a city that is based in deep-rooted traditions and history, this market opens the door to plenty of bettors who are not interested in just betting on the birds every Sunday.

Online sports betting in The Keystone State

Pennsylvania was one of the first states to legalize sports betting. Their ability to act so quickly stemmed from the state passing HB 271 in 2017, which was before PASPA was overturned. Even though sports betting was technically illegal when Gov. Tom Wolf signed the bill, it set the state up to launch retail betting by November 2018.

Mobile sports betting did not become available in the Keystone State until May 2019. Under HB 271, mobile operators were required to partner with a land-based casino. As a result, 11 active mobile sportsbooks are available in PA heading into 2025.

There are a dozen sports betting apps available, and most of them are brand-name operators, including BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Since PA also once housed the Barstool Sportsbook and PointsBet Sportsbook, both ESPN Bet and Fanatics Sportsbook are now available as well.

By having this number of operators who are household names available, residents of PA can benefit from a great selection of new and existing customer bonuses since the competition is so strong.

At the same time, PA bettors may encounter less-than-desirable odds from some sportsbooks due to the extremely high tax rate on sports betting. This is why we always recommend that bettors open multiple betting accounts and price shop lines for the absolute best price.

All legal PA sports betting apps in 2025 (from newest to oldest):

Recently closed online sportsbooks

Sports betting & gambling legislation in PA

When placing a sports wager in Pennsylvania, a bettor must be at least 21 years old. While a bettor is not required to be an official resident of PA to make a legal wager, they must be within state lines. Although mobile sportsbooks need to partner with a land-based retail operator, bettors can register remotely, enabling them to set up a mobile betting account from anywhere in the state.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board oversees all gambling-related regulations and issues licenses to operators. Bettors in PA enjoy the convenience of remote registration and benefit from one of the lowest tax rates on winnings among states with legal sports betting. In Pennsylvania, all gambling winnings are classified as income and taxed at a rate of 3.07%, in addition to the 24% federal income tax rate.

Since sports betting and iGaming are legal in the state, discussions about gambling are uncommon in upcoming legislative sessions. Over time, more sportsbooks might enter the market, but for now, the PA betting market will stay as it is today.

Yuengling vs. Craft Hype Line: Betting on Which Brewery Launch Generates More First-Day Can Sales

Few rivalries embody Pennsylvania’s love for beer better than Yuengling versus the state’s booming craft beer scene. On one side, you have America’s oldest brewery, rooted in tradition and loyalty. On the other hand, you have a booming industry of Instagram-ready craft upstarts from places like Pittsburgh, Ardmore, and Lehigh Valley. Now, imagine turning this boozy battle into a novelty betting market.

Gamblers could place prop bets on which brewery's new release generates more first-day sales or which launch receives the highest Untappd rating by midnight. With Pennsylvania's thriving beer culture and established sports betting infrastructure already in place, this novel prop market could immediately be a hit, especially during major festivals like Philly Beer Week. It provides sportsbooks with a lighthearted, culturally relevant hook to attract new bettors.

In a state where craft meets classic at nearly every bar or restaurant, a betting market between Yuengling and the latest triple dry-hopped darling could garner more interest in local rivalries, while turning a legitimate profit.

The Philly Phanatic's potential betting impact

The Philly Phanatic is one of the most recognizable and famous mascots in sports. But could the wild green creature ever become the face of a PA sportsbook? With the rise of legal sports betting in the state, casinos, and sportsbooks are constantly on the hunt for out-of-the-box ways to market themselves. The Phanatic, known for its larger-than-life antics and die-hard loyalty to Philadelphia sports, could be the perfect partner with a casino to generate interest and intrigue in sports betting promotions.

However, there are hurdles, as Major League Baseball has strict rules on gambling endorsements, and the Phillies organization may not want to associate their beloved mascot with high-stakes wagering. But if laws were to loosen, sportsbook commercials or billboards could feature the Phanatic promoting betting props and even custom Philadelphia-based parlays every game.

Most recent updates from the PA sports betting scene

• March 10, 2025: The Pittsburgh Steelers have acquired wide receiver DK Metcalf in a trade with Seattle. The Steelers are (+600) to win the NFC North.

• March 7, 2025: The MLB regular season is quickly approaching, and the Philadelphia Phillies are (+215) to win the NL East and (+270) to reach the NLCS.

• February 21, 2025: Heading into his first full season in the Majors, Pirates ace Paul Skenes is listed as the favorite to win the NL Cy Young at (+300).

• February 19, 2025: With Spring Training getting underway, the Philadelphia Phillies are (+215) to win the NL East and (+650) to win the NL.

• February 10, 2025: The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl Champions for the first time since 2018. After beating the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, the Eagles have opened at (+600) to win Super Bowl LX.

• February 6, 2025: With a 14-8 record, the Pitt Panthers are (+470) to make the NCAA Tournament on FanDuel.

• February 3, 2025: Heading into Super Bowl week, Saquon Barkley has the second-best odds to win MVP of the game at (+260), while Jalen Hurts has the third-best odds at (+350).

• January 30, 2025: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board issues $282,205 in fines to three operators, with BetMGM facing the largest penalty of $260,905 for self-exclusion violations. Rush Street Gaming and Stadium Casino Westmoreland are also fined for regulatory breaches.

In-person sports betting sites and locations

Across PA, there are currently 15 retail betting sites, which include casinos, racetracks, and off-track betting locations.

Many of these locations were in operation before the state’s sports betting bill was passed, but since November 2018, they’ve all featured functional sportsbooks, most of which are run by the one online skin they are allowed to partner with.

Betting on Groundhog Day predictions: Profit from the forecast

Each February, the world turns its attention to tiny Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where Groundhog Day combines tradition, Hollywood history, spectacle, and a hint of meteorological mysticism. With the attention already on Punxsutawney Phil’s famous prediction, why not make it a coin flip, like a betting market? 

This idea could lead to Groundhog Accuracy Rankings, a novelty market that tracks Phil’s long-term prediction accuracy and allows local tourists and bettors to wager on whether this year’s forecast will outperform past seasons. Historical data shows Phil’s overall accuracy hovering around 39%, indicating there is plenty of room for improvement and even more opportunities to make a profit.

Bettors could place seasonal wagers on whether Phil's prediction matches actual weather outcomes or even how he compares to other regional groundhogs like Staten Island Chuck or Ohio’s Buckeye Chuck. For Pennsylvania, it’s not just about the shadow anymore; it’s about shining a light on a surprisingly profitable slice of seasonal betting. I mean, if Phil says more winter is on the horizon, bettors might as well make some coin to make up for the upcoming snowstorms.

Sports betting in neighboring states

Legalized sports betting is common on the East Coast, as all six of Pennsylvania’s neighboring states have passed sports betting bills.

No matter which way PA residents happen to cross the state’s border, they will still find some version of sports betting, and to find out what each state has to offer, you can click on them in the boxes below.

Sports betting revenue impact on Pennsylvania's economy

All sports betting licenses in Pennsylvania require a one-time licensing fee of $10 million. This licensing fee is exceptionally high compared to other states with legal sports betting, even if it is just a one-time fee. Pennsylvania also has one of the country's highest tax rates for sports betting at 36% for both retail and online.

Finding success in sports betting revenue numbers has come easy to Pennsylvania. With a nice mix of volume in retail and mobile betting, along with a large population of people, PA generally finishes a month with over $600 million in betting handle and $50 million in sportsbooks' revenue. In November 2024, the state also set a personal record for handle recorded in a month with $935.5 million, leading to 103.3 million in revenue and $27.8 million in tax income, both also monthly record figures.

The list of all-time handle, revenue, and tax income is ever-changing and growing, but PA has certainly solidified a spot in the top five for all three categories. Due to the high tax rate operators are subject to pay, Pennsylvania has made the second most tax income from sports betting in the country, with over $700 million after the legalization of such activity.

Pennsylvania sports betting record months:

• Sports betting handle: November 2024 ($935,530,170)

• Revenue: November 2024 ($103,268,288)

• Tax income: November 2024 ($27,755,098)

• Biggest monthly mobile handle to date by a single PA sportsbook app:

  • FanDuel (Dec. 2023): $391,814,826

• Biggest recorded monthly revenue from online wagering:

  • FanDuel (Dec. 2023): $46,440,194

Latest PA sports betting revenue report breakdown (February 2025)

• Total betting handle: $756,926,216

  • Mobile betting handle: $726,711,082

  • Retail betting handle: $30,215,135

• Winnings paid to players: $722,964,238

  • Hold: 4.49%

• Gross revenue: $33,961,978

  • Promotional betting credits: $26,476,800

  • Adjusted (taxable) revenue: $7,485,177

• Total tax revenue for the state: $2,694,664

  • State tax (34%): $2,544,960

  • Local tax share (2%): $149,704

Reported by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

Top performing mobile sportsbook apps in the state in February 2025:

1. FanDuel (Valley Forge Casino Resort):

   • Online handle: $282.9m, Revenue: $21.8m

2. DraftKings (Hollywood Casino at the Meadows):

   • Online handle: $178.9m, Revenue: $8.7m

3. ESPN Bet (Hollywood Casino York):

   • Online handle: $95.2m, Revenue: $3.9m

4. BetMGM (Hollywood Casino Morgantown):

   • Online handle: $58.3m, Revenue: -$897,376

5. Bet365 (Presque Isle):

   • Online handle: $30.7m, Revenue: $1.6m

6. Fanatics Sportsbook (Hollywood Casino):

   • Online handle: $27.2m, Revenue: $776,136

7. Caesars Sportsbook (Harrah's):

   • Online handle: $20.4m, Revenue: $114,807

8. BetRivers (Rivers Pittsburgh):

   • Online handle: $17.5m, Revenue: $504,769

9. BetPARX (Parx Casino):

   • Online handle: $8.5m, Revenue: $214,921

10. PlaySugarHouse (Rivers Philadelphia):

    • Online handle: $7.0m, Revenue: $110,306

11. Betfred (Wind Creek):

    • Online handle: $283,924, Revenue: $13,933

The current PA mobile sportsbook apps market shares - Feb. 2025

Pennsylvania online sports betting market shares - Full 2024 year

Recent revenue report data - Compared to the previous year (YoY)

PA sports betting revenue in 2025

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reports the state's betting revenue data monthly, and we've compiled the current year's 2025 numbers in the following table. In addition, we've calculated how the handle and revenue have changed compared to the previous month (percentage in brackets).

2024 revenue data

Yearly revenue totals

Renaissance-themed betting could bring $70M boost to PA gambling industry

The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire is one of the premier and most in-depth in the country, drawing thousands of visitors each year. But could it also start drawing bettors? With highly electric jousting tournaments, axe-throwing, and even costume contests, medieval-themed wagering could add a unique revenue stream to Pennsylvania’s already booming sports betting industry.

Sportsbooks could start releasing Renaissance Fair betting markets, allowing fans to wager on which jouster wins, who lands the hardest hit, or even which knight gets thrown off their horse first. Beyond jousting, gamblers could place bets on axe-throwing accuracy or archery contests.

This concept could become the perfect marriage between fantasy sports and Renaissance-style gambling, tapping into a new demographic of bettors who may not engage with traditional sports such as football. If just 1% of Pennsylvania’s $7 billion annual sports betting handle came from Renaissance Faire wagers, it could potentially generate $70 million in additional bets, leading to millions in extra tax revenue for the state.

By embracing themed betting, Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks could expand into novelty markets, boost foot traffic to these events, and create an interactive, historically inspired betting experience.