Where to Gamble in Pennsylvania

Gambling in Pennsylvania

Gambling in Pennsylvania has been legal since July 2010. The state offers casino gambling, lotteries, bingo, and horse racing. There are also other games of chance offered by non-profit organizations. Revenue from casinos is utilized for economic and job creation. It is also used to make up the state deficit. The laws and regulations were implemented to curb illicit gambling in the state of Pennsylvania. In 2004, due to Act 71, Pennsylvania Racehorse Development and Gaming Act, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board legalized casino gambling and racetracks, which contributed towards property tax relief funds.

Online Gambling in Pennsylvania

Gambling Laws in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania casinos offer high-limit, real-money slots, video poker, blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, baccarat, and many more popular casino games. The racinos in Pennsylvania offers horse racing, and standard casino games. These casinos are located over thousands of square feet, which host casino games, plus other amenities.

Bingo & Games of Chance

In 1988, a law was passed to permit organizations to conduct bingo games.

A few years later, the Pennsylvania Local Option Small Games of Chance Act of 1988 was passed. This permits gambling in non-profit organisations and for profit taverns. The games permitted under this act include pull-tab games, punchboards, raffles, daily, weekly, and 50/50 drawings, Race Night Games, and pools.

Further Gambling Laws

In October 2017, the state legislature passed a bill allowing casino gambling at truck stops, airports, and online. The bill, signed by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf on October 30th, 2017 also permitted daily fantasy sports.

The bill also allowed for licenses of ten satellite casinos, as long as they were not located within 25 miles of an existing casino. Satellite casino licenses were only granted to existing casino owners in Pennsylvania. It would allow up 750 slot machines and 30 table games. Municipalities also had the option to restrict casinos within their borders. 

Following in the footsteps of Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware, it was the fourth state to legalize online gambling. It is also the only state to permit both gambling and lottery ticket sales online.

Gambling Casinos in Pennsylvania

There are several casinos and gambling resorts in Pennsylvania. The following are top casinos in Pennsylvania:

Casinos
Games
Other Services
Contact
Harrah's Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack
  • Slots
  • Table Games
  • Poker
  • Restaurants
  • Shopping
  • Bars
777 Harrah's Blvd, Chester, PA 19013, United States
+1 484-490-1800
Rivers Casino Philadelphia
  • Slots
  • Asian Gaming
  • Table Games
  • Sports Betting
  • Restaurants
  • Fund raisers
  • Corporate Events
  • Wedding Venue
1001 N Delaware Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125, United States
+1 877-477-3715
Mohegan Sun Pocono
  • Slots
  • Table Games
  • Poker
  • Restaurants
  • Comedy Club
  • Bars
  • Convention Center
1280 PA-315, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, United States
+1 570-831-2100
Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin
  • Slots
  • High Limit Gaming
  • Table Games
  • Bars & Pubs
4067 National Pike, Farmington, PA 15437, United States
+1 724-329-7500
Mount Airy Casino Resort
  • Slots
  • Poker
  • Table Games
  • Sports Betting
  • Hotel
  • Bars
  • Golf Course
  • Spa
  • Wedding Venue
312 Woodland Rd, Mt Pocono, PA 18344, United States
+1 877-682-4791

Lottery Ticket Sales in Pennsylvania

The state of Pennsylvania offers punters lottery ticket sales. Pennsylvania also offers players Keno & Xpress Sports, Match 6 Lotto, Mega Millions, PICK 2, PICK 3, PICK 4, PICK 5, Cash4Life, Cash 5, Millionaire Raffle, Fast Play tickets, Powerball, Treasure Hunt, and Scratch-Offs. Pennsylvania players also have the option of a VIP Players Club to get newsletter emails, digital communications, and coupons.

Lottery Gambling Winnings in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania state lottery has made several major millionaires since its inception.

  • $115 million, Fourteen split-winners
  • $110 million, Steve and Kristine White
  • $107.5 million, Employees of South-Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
  • $93.4 million, WLT Trust
  • $91.1 million, Steven Peloquin
  • $86.7 million, Carl Szott
  • $86.1 million, Robert Shemonski
  • $77.4 million, Patricia Chandler
  • $73.6 million, Scott and Marian Calligan

Online Casinos in Pennsylvania

There are several online casinos that offer punters slots, blackjack, roulette, and welcome bonuses. Available to casino players are no-deposit bonuses, risk-free bonuses, and deposit-bonuses available to the residents of Pennsylvania. There are many more online casinos set to be established in the state. Pennsylvania offers casino players multiple options for blackjack, including games with progressive jackpots.

Skill Games

A new form of gambling derived from Pennsylvania. The creation of what is known as skill machines. These machines look similar to video poker machines, and circumvent gaming laws. This is because an earlier court decision concluded they were not slot machines. Today, these machines can be found gas stations, and tobacco shops across the state.

FAQs About Gambling in Pennsylvania

Is gambling legal in Pennsylvania?

Casino gambling was legalized for over 10 years, and in 2017, online gambling was legalized by Governor Tom Wolf.

Is there gambling in Pennsylvania? 

Pennsylvania casinos offer slots, table games, and video poker. There is also a state lottery for instant games and standard lottery drawings. Pennsylvania residents can also bet on horse-racing and off-track betting.

What casinos are in PA?

Alabama has nine casinos with over 10,000 slot machines and other gaming machines.

Why is gambling illegal in Alabama?
  • Harrah’s Philadelphia
  • Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
  • Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin
  • Live! Hotel and Casino Philadelphia
  • The Meadows Racetrack and Casino
  • Mohegan Sun Pocono
  • Mount Airy Casino Resort
  • Parx Casino and Racing
  • Presque Isle Downs & Casino
  • Rivers Casino Philadelphia
  • Rivers Casino Pittsburgh
  • Valley Forge Casino Resort
  • Wind Creek Bethlehem
Is there online gambling in PA?

The most populous state in the US, Pennsylvania has legal, regulated online casinos. Governor Tom Wolf signed poker, casinos, lotteries, fantasy sports, and sports betting into law in 2017.

When did gambling become legal in PA?

Casinos and gambling became legal in July 2004 when the legislature ruled in favor of gambling. According to this law there are 12 operating slot parlors across the state.

Is illegal gambling a felony?

Gambling in the state of Pennsylvania can be classified as a felony offense, or a simple misdemeanor depending on each individual case.

How much is a gaming license in PA?

Potential casino owners and hosts pay on average $350 for a 3-year Gaming Employee Permit, and a renewal fee costs $200. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) is in charge of Pennsylvania gaming regulations.

Is there a casino in Gettysburg PA? 

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania does not currently have any casinos, but the nearby venues include Baltimore Horseshoe Casino, Ranson Charles Town Hollywood Casino, Hanover Maryland Live Casino, Perryville Hollywood Casino, and Grantville Hollywood Casino Penn National Race Course.nsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) is in charge of Pennsylvania gaming regulations.

What type of online gambling is legal in PA? 

There are three different online casino licenses for gambling online in Pennsylvania. These include, online slot games, online table games, peer-to-peer games such as poker. However, there are also other games such as lotteries which players can enjoy online.

How many casinos are in Pittsburgh PA? 

There are two casinos for gambling in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There is the Rivers, which is located in Pittsburgh, and there is the Meadows Racetrack & Casinos, south of the city in Washington county.

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