Can You bet on Sports in Pennsylvania?
Sports betting is currently live and legal at sportsbooks, casinos, and racetracks across the Keystone State. The mobile betting market in Pennsylvania includes more than ten operators.
Two key Events
In Pennsylvania, two events made sports wagering possible. In 2017, the state government passed a betting expansion package, of which sports betting was part. The following year, the US Supreme Court repealed PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act), which had confined betting to the borders of Nevada for more than a quarter of a century.
At the moment, each state can make its own gambling laws. The Keystone State is prepared to take advantage of this opportunity. In fact, it already is.
The First Retail Sportsbook
Toward the end of 2018, Hollywood Casino became the first retail sportsbook to start accepting bets. Since then, more than ten other sportsbookshave joined it. They are located throughout the state. Over a dozen PA sports betting apps are alsoavailable to users residing in the state.
Bets on college and pro sports are legal. You can place them on a mobile device, online, or in person at a physical venue. Being at least 21 is the only requirement.
Demands on betting platforms are somewhat hefty, however. Currently, operators who want to offer sports betting in PA have to pay a fee of $10 million. The fact that it’s a one-time fee is hardly consoling. If you’re granted a license, you’ll have to pay a 36% tax on revenue. These requirements partially accounted for an extensive delay between the opening of the licensing period and the first application submitted. The potential of Pennsylvania as a sports betting market ultimately proved too tempting to operators.
Regulation and Compliance
In Pennsylvania, sports betting is regulated by the state gaming control board. This body also has responsibility for testing and licensing. It handles the enforcement of responsible gambling and compliance.
Mobile Betting
Mobile bets became possible in the spring of 2019. SugarHousewas the first sportsbook operator to go live. However, mobile and online betting hasn’t been without issues in Pennsylvania. For instance, you couldn’t access any online sportsbook in the state from an iOS device at the beginning. At the moment, some operators provide this functionality, but it is not without glitches.
On the other hand, there are no issues with betting from a computer or an Android device.
The Keystone State: A Cornerstone of Online Gambling
When it comes to sports betting, few states are as important as Pennsylvania. It was the state with the largest population to begin offering sports betting when it became legal. It is still at the top of the list. As this market matures, numbers don’t get any less impressive in Pennsylvania. Punters are betting hundreds of millions even in slow months. The Keystone State will remain a major player despite competition from Ohio, New York, and other nearby states.