A lot of people are wondering whether PA online casinos are working legally. Well, we will give you a direct answer – yes, online gambling in Pennsylvania is completely legal! All overage gambling enthusiasts can enjoy different online gambling activities without breaking any law. The entire state iGaming market is regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which ensures that no scams are available on the market.
Yet, as you can guess, it will be essential to get familiar with all those tiny details before deciding to play online casino games for real money. Because of that, we invite you to check out the guide and discover all the important facts about PA online gambling laws.
History of Online Casino Legislation in Pennsylvania
Gambling, in general, has a long history. Casino games, one by one, got approval from the responsible authorities and started to be available in gambling venues across the state. The significant year for PA online casinos was 2017 when online gambling was officially legalized!
Thanks to PA ACT 42/2017, top online casinos finally got the chance to offer their service to millions of people barely waiting to test their luck. People now have the chance to enjoy poker, online casino games and sports betting under legal circumstances.
Yet, the first online gaming site ever was launched two years after that. Today, there are 22 legal Pennsylvania online casinos with amazing bonuses, cool casino catalogs and high RTPs.
Current Legal Status of Online Casinos in Pennsylvania
If you are older than 21, you are free to play casino games at some of the best online casinos operating in Pennsylvania. This, in our opinion, is the first rule an average player should know.
Most of you ask who regulates the entire market. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has the privilege of organizing, maintaining and controlling the entire Pennsylvania online gambling section.
So, what are the licensing requirements for PA online casino sites? For starters, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board wants to make sure that the owner of the online casino does not have any criminal record. Also, future owners will need to provide evidence of having the necessary initial capital to start a business and deliver a business plan. Ultimately, they will need to pay a license fee of $50,000. If the application was not valid to the fullest, they will need to re-apply for it, which brings additional costs.
How to Choose a Legal Online Casino in Pennsylvania
PA players will need to pass through a couple of research stages to find the best online gambling sites. The purpose of this process is to focus on the essential features of each casino and find a safe site with an amazing offer. Continue reading to discover the list of important factors.
- Verification of Licensing and Regulation
As we highlighted, the casino must possess a valid Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Check out if the logo of this institution is present in the footer of the casino. Click on the image of its logo; the official page of this regulatory body should open after that. Also, copy the license number and paste it on the official website of the mentioned license issuer. You can see all the details about the license, such as when it was issued, when the operator needs to re-apply for it and so on.
- Safety and Security Measures
Go to the Privacy Policy page and discover which data protection technology the chosen casino is using. Many online casinos in PA use encrypted layers of protection to ensure the complete safety of players’ data.
- Game Variety and Software Providers
You must ensure that the gambling site you selected is offering the best online casino games. Check out if there are game categories, such as slots, roulette, and blackjack, available on the website. Also, check which software development companies are responsible for their releasement. That is the only way to confirm quality.
- Bonus Offers and Promotions
Online gambling is much easier if the players get a deposit match bonus after the first transaction made towards their casino account. Bonus money helps players to gain the necessary experience and research different game options. Apart from that, there should also be a series of ongoing casino bonus offers with reasonable terms and conditions.
- Banking Options
It is extremely important that the chosen online casinos use verified and reliable payment methods for both deposits and withdrawals. Would you withdraw your gambling winnings with an unsafe method that comes with high transaction fees? We are 100% sure the answer is NO.
- Customer Support
If there is something unclear about the PA online casino that you selected, you should have the option to contact professional and quick customer support. There should be multiple channels of communication, and their working hours should be 24/7.
Top Legal Online Casinos in Pennsylvania for 2024
Most of you probably wonder what are the best online casinos within the PA gambling industry. After taking into consideration all the mentioned criteria, we have highlighted four amazing options. Find out more about them!
Borgata Online Casino
Borgata is a reliable casino site available in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We are impressed by the number of payment methods this operator accepts. You can deposit and withdraw your gambling winnings with a wide range of credit cards (Visa, MasterCard…) and e-wallets (PayPal, Skrill…). The minimum deposit is only $10, and the max withdrawal amount is $100,000. Claim a deposit bonus match of 100% on your first deposit up to $1000. In addition, you can claim 20 free spins.
BetMGM Casino Online
BetMGM online casino has a pretty cool bonus offer. Immediately after registration, you can claim $25 in freeplay funds available for all the casino games. After that, you can claim a 100% deposit match bonus up to $1000. The minimum deposit requirement is only $10, which makes this casino suitable for everyone. Despite a diversity of good casino games, players will also manage to enjoy online sports betting.
DraftKings Online Casino
Starting your online gambling journey at DrafKings casino is possible with just $5. Its welcome bonus of 100% up to $2000 on the first deposit makes the start even more entertaining. Thanks to a wide range of payment methods and professional customer service, this operator deserves to be on the list.
Fanduel Casino Online
Fanduel is primarily recognizable for its amazing online sports betting offer. However, it also has a decent online gambling section. The operator’s app, available for iOS and Android devices, is one of the main highlights. Also, we appreciate the effort this casino has invested in ensuring fast withdrawals and instant deposits.
Games Available at Legal Online Casinos
After gambling legalization, online casinos have invested a lot of effort to improve the quality of their gaming catalogs. That is the reason why you can enjoy a diversity of high-quality casino games and eventually win real money. Let’s see what you can find there!
- Slots: Online slot machines are usually the main focus of the top PA online casinos. Players can find thousands of options with different themes, number of paylines and reward mechanisms. Games are developed by the most successful software development companies like Pragmatic Play, Playson, Synot and others.
- Table games: RNG classic table games are available on almost every gambling platform. You will get the chance to enjoy blackjack, roulette and baccarat games with high RTPs.
- Live dealer games: All the classic table games are available in real time as well. You will get the chance to follow the program hosted by a real dealer via HD or 4K live streams. Also, you can communicate with the hosts and other players participating via live chat.
- Video poker: Old but gold game! Based on the analysis, it is a gambling option with the highest RTP. Online casinos tend to offer multiple versions of this game that will bring you a nostalgic sense.
- Specialty games: In most cases, you will get the chance to enjoy the Pennsylvania lottery, bingo and keno. These are quick and virtual games that do not require any gambling experience. Online gambling sites in Pennsylvania usually dedicate them to beginners.
Mobile Compatibility of Legal Online Casinos
Many PA players choose to play casino games via smartphone. This way, having fun during the entire day from any location becomes possible. Fortunately, most PA online casino sites have met this expectation.
There are two ways to access online gambling games via smartphone. Best online casinos will often develop an app suitable for iOS and Android devices. As an alternative, they will allow players to access the online gaming catalog via a web browser installed on their mobile device.
Both options, in our opinion, are legit. HTML5 technology ensures that every mobile casino automatically adjusts to the features of your smartphone. On the other hand, apps usually ensure easier navigation and better user experience.
Responsible Gambling in Pennsylvania
Best gambling sites will use the latest responsible gambling practices. That way, they want to protect every single player from any potential gambling problem that could occur. They will primarily let players limit their spending or the length of their gambling sessions. If players recognize symptoms of gambling addiction, they will also get the opportunity to self-exclude themselves from the website temporarily or permanently.
We must highlight that the best PA online casino sites often closely collaborate with mental health institutions. They will give you recommendations on who you should contact in case you need help with your gambling problem.
Conclusion
So, what have we learned from this guide? Yes, online gambling is legal in PA. If you see that a particular gambling site has a valid license issued by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, you are good to go.
However, the highest level of safety won’t mean anything if the casino offer is poor. Because of that, carefully analyze the bonus terms, check out the available payment methods and ensure that the gaming catalog features diversity and quality. Remember one thing – gambling is a source of fun, not a source of income. Always gamble responsibly!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is online casino gambling legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes, state authorities decided to legalize online gambling in 2017. The first PA online casino was released in 2019. Today, there are 20+ of them with valid licenses and amazing offers.
- How can I ensure a casino is legally operating in Pennsylvania?
Make things simple – check the validity of the PA gaming control board. If everything is fine with the license, you can be sure that the gambling site is respecting all the laws.
- What types of games are available at legal online casinos?
Best gambling sites offer a diversity of cool casino games. You can find all sorts of online slot machines as well as online poker, blackjack, roulette and baccarat in RNG or live version.
- Are there any specific regulations for online casino bonuses?
Yes, each casino bonus comes with a certain wagering rate that you need to meet to unlock bonuses. Also, it will be necessary to deposit the minimal amount of cash required by the operator to apply for the promotion.
- How can I deposit and withdraw money at a legal online casino?
Best PA online casinos will allow you to deposit funds with a variety of e-wallets, debit cards, and prepaid cards. The most advanced ones will even accept crypto-based payments.
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