All online casinos in Pennsylvania are relatively new. This is because the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board did not give the green light to launch online casinos until 2018, and most sites didn?t go live until mid- to late-2019.?We continue to see new online casino launches in the state and will do so for the foreseeable future.
To receive an online casino license in PA, you need to have a brick-and-mortar Pennsylvania casino partner. Currently, 12 casinos currently operate in the state of Pennsylvania. The Live! Hotel and Casino Philadelphia is set to open in 2020.
That means, for the foreseeable future, the maximum number of online casinos in the state is 13. At this point, ten of the possible 12 to 13 are live.
Despite the relative newness of PA online casinos, all platforms saw a huge surge in players and revenue when brick-and-mortar casinos closed due to COVID-19. In fact, that?s why a couple of the newest online casinos in the state popped up in the first place.
List Of New Online Casinos In Pennsylvania
| Online Casino | Launch Date | Land-Based Partner | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FanDuel Casino | January 2020 | Valley Forge | Casino games only available through mobile app | |
| BetAmerica | January 2020 | Presque Isle Downs | 46 different slots available. But does not currently have a mobile app | |
| BetRivers | January 2020 | Rivers Philadelphia | 100% first-deposit bonus up to $250 (with only 1x playthrough) | |
| Caesars Online Casino | April 2020 | Harrah’s Philadelphia | 100% first-deposit bonus up to $250 (with up to 25x playthrough) | |
| DraftKings Casino | May 2020 | Hollywood Casino | Best online casino and sportsbook mobile app in PA |
As shown in the table, half of the live online casinos in PA were released in 2020. And Caesars Online and the DraftKings Casino launched as a direct result of their land-based partners closing their doors to COVID-19.?
Of the five released this year, only DraftKings and Caesars are recent. Here?s a breakdown of each:
DraftKings PA Online Casino
The DraftKings Casino and Sportsbook app is available for iOS and Android. And it is exceptional. It takes up a good amount of storage space, but that?s due to its massive mobile casino game catalog.?
While the DraftKings sportsbook?and FanDuel sportsbook are close to identical, DraftKings beats FanDuel in casino games by a country mile. DraftKings is also one of the only legally licensed online casinos that offer Live Dealer games.
The only complaint is the lackluster promotions. The welcome bonus lets new players bet risk-free up to $200 for the first 24 hours after creating an account. That?s not bad, but it?s not why you join. You join DraftKings PA for the unrivaled catalog of quality and varied casino games.
Caesars Online Casino Pennsylvania
The Caesars Online Casino through Harrah?s is very mediocre. You only have access to a few slots and table games. And while the welcome bonus is pretty good, the playthrough requirement is up to 25x your deposit and bonus.?
We also tried to call the Caesars Online Casino support number, and after waiting on hold for 15 minutes, they hung up the line. We tried again, and the same thing happened. That is an unacceptable lack of customer care that we really hope is fixed as soon as possible.
Upcoming Online Casinos In Pennsylvania
Live! Hotel And Casino Philadelphia
The only potential upcoming online casino is Live! Hotel and Casino Philadelphia. While it does not currently have an online casino license, it has been approved as a qualified gaming entity. Further, Live! is already licensed to offer online sports betting.
So, it?s fair to say that there?s a good chance Live! Philadelphia will launch an online casino. That will add option number 11 to the list of legal online casinos available to people in Pennsylvania.
Casino games will most likely be an addition to the online sportsbook. In fact, most online casinos in Pennsylvania are hybrid sportsbooks and casinos.
The Most Interesting New Game Options In Pennsylvania
Aside from the 100% welcome bonus up to $300, there?s nothing interesting at Pennsylvania?s Caesars Online Casino. However, you can find some interesting games at the DraftKings PA online casino.
Blackjack
DraftKings has a few exclusive blackjack variations.?
For those who enjoy sports betting, there?s a blackjack version for practically every sport, including basketball, football, soccer, and hockey.?
Other blackjack themes include LGBTQ Pride, Chinese Lunar New Year, and Retro.?
You can also find single-deck blackjack and other gameplay-specific variations.
Roulette
In the same way that DraftKings PA offers some unique blackjack variations, the online roulette options are even more original. You can play the zombie-themed Spooky Roulette and Basketball Roulette. They also offer a couple of other traditional roulette variations, including European roulette, which has a better return to player (RTP) than American roulette.
Live Dealer Games
DraftKings PA offers Live Dealer rooms. That means a live-streamed, real-life dealer stands at physical tables and spins or deals physical wheels and cards. You can even chat and tip the dealer.
Aside from the drink service, Live Dealer games are just like going to a brick-and-mortar casino.?
How Does A New Casino Launch In Pennsylvania?
To launch a new online casino in Pennsylvania, you first need to be a brick-and-mortar casino. Once approved as a qualified gaming entity, the land-based casino can apply for an online casino license.
Each type of online gambling is a separate license. That means any casino can apply for a sports betting license, online casino license, and online poker license. That?s why many casinos launched an online sportsbook before casino games and vice versa.
Once the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board tests, audits, and approves the online casino launch, the platform can go live. The same license applies to both web browser gaming as well as casino apps.
Of the 12 existing brick-and-mortar casinos, only two do not offer any form of online gambling. These are Wind Creek Bethlehem and Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin.?
Wind Creek does, however, offer ?free online casino games,? which is a way to play some slots and table games with credits. You can also check your Wind Creek rewards account. It is not a real-money online casino.
What Are The Benefits Of Playing A New Online Casino In Pennsylvania?
One of the newest online casinos in PA, DraftKings, happens to be one of the best choices on the market. But generally speaking, there are some advantages (and disadvantages) to joining a brand-new online casino.
Pros Of Joining A New Mobile Casino
Typically speaking, the biggest pro to joining a new mobile casino is the bonuses. It?s one of the easiest ways to stand out among the existing online casino options.
Caesars Online Casino in Pennsylvania is a good example. They currently offer one of the largest first-deposit bonuses for casino games.
Cons Of Choosing The New Vs. The Established
The biggest con of joining a new online casino is not knowing what you?re getting into. Thankfully, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board ensures that all games are fair, random, and as-advertised before issuing a license. So, even if you don?t have reviews to rely on, you can at least play knowing that all legal PA online casinos are legit.
What Does The Future Hold For Online Gambling In Pennsylvania?
Online gambling in Pennsylvania can only get better from where it is today. Even the oldest licensed online betting sites in the state launched in mid-July 2019. Here are some predictions you can safely bet on:
More Online Casinos With Live Dealers
There?s a decent chance that the lack of Live Dealer games at PA online casinos has to do with COVID-19. Once the brick-and-mortar casinos are fully operating again, there?s a good chance that Live Dealers will become an online casino standard in Pennsylvania.
Interstate Player Pools For Online Poker
Online poker players in Pennsylvania playing at legal sites can only play against others in their state. The same is true for Colorado. Meanwhile, folks in New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada can all play against each other. We think PA (and probably Colorado) will join those player pools in the near future.
Legal Online Casinos In Pennsylvania: Common Questions
Who regulates the licensing and launch of new online casinos in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board regulates the licensing and launch of new casinos in PA.?
As stated on the ?About Us? section of their website, their goal ?is to be the premier gaming regulator in the United States, maintaining and enhancing public trust with honesty, integrity and credibility.?
What kinds of online casino games are legal in Pennsylvania?
Slots, table games, Live Dealer games, and video poker are all legal online casino games in PA.?
It is against the law to offer ?skill-based games? that resemble the lottery, although this is more applicable to gas stations, bars, and other locations that offer lottery as well as illegal machines.?
Are new online casinos safe to play?
Yes. The extremely strict Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board ensures that all licensees offer safe and fair online casino games.?
Anything not licensed through the Board is illegal and may, therefore, be an unsafe outlet.
Is it safe to deposit money into a new mobile casino?
Yes. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board also makes sure all online casinos employ the highest levels of online security and privacy.
However, we always recommend that you read through all terms and conditions, including the privacy policy, before joining an online betting website.
Does DraftKings have an online casino in Pennsylvania?
Yes. The DraftKings PA Sportsbook and Online Casino is one of the best options in the state. You can play their entire catalog through the (iOS and Android) mobile app or desktop site. The same account can be used to bet on sports and casino games seamlessly as well.
Does FanDuel have an online casino in Pennsylvania?
Yes. However, the FanDuel PA casino games are currently only offered through the mobile app. The selection is also limited. To play a more extensive selection of games, the BetFair Online Casino that partnered with FanDuel needs to come to PA. Right now, it?s only available in NJ.