American Casino Guide is your ticket to all knowledge about casino gambling online in the USA. The online gambling industry in the US has taken a big turn for the bettor - pun intended - andnow the gambling options in America are opening up for players online.
There are thousands of games now at your disposal and loads of legal, reputable online casinos offering them. Gamblers in the USA can claim bonuses, play these games for free and win realmoney! Excited to find these bonuses? Check out our table above for all of the best options.
Online casinos accepting players from Slovenia. Online gambling has been increasingly popular in the last two decades or so. Many countries have considered legalizing and regulating it for many reasons, but mostly to fight illegal gambling and improve the economy. Several online casinos are active in Pennsylvania. Here’s a rundown of what bonuses are available on the best sites right now: Unibet Casino. Unibet online casino in PA is one of the top options in the state.
American Casino Guide is here to provide readers with an overview of the online casino industry in the US. We have everything you need to know right here, including tips on how to win yourfavorite casino games, how to find the best promotions and bonus offers, where to get your hands on casino bonus codes, and advice on finding the best operator to sign up with! Check out ourcomprehensive, honest reviews of all legal US casino operators.
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Playing with an online casino will allow you to play casino games for real money from your desktop at home or from your mobile devices at any time.
Operators are taking the US market by storm with diverse portfolios and popular reputations. USA online casinos provide massive game libraries. Online casino games strongly resemble those thatyou would play in a land-based casino, however, when you play online you can enjoy them in the comfort of your own home or conveniently on your mobile device.
There are also live dealer casino games, which allow you to interact with a live dealer in real-time while playing on your own device.
Another great advantage of playing online is the opportunity to play for free! Operators are constantly dishing out new promotions and special offers. These offers can include free spins, freecasino cash, reload bonuses, and much more!
There are fun VIP rewards systems put in place by casino operators to ensure that you are constantly being rewarded. These VIP systems accrue points over time as you deposit money into youraccount. When you reach different tiers, you will receive different real money rewards and special perks from the casino.
Our experts review online casinos by thoroughly analyzing each brand and all of the important assets. Comprehensive casinoreviews include detailed information on:
In order to begin playing online, the site will ask you to enter certain information. You are required to include name, address, and bank information before gameplay, but do not be alarmed! Allof your data and personal information is protected by the most secure encryption when registering with a legal casino site. You do not need to worry about your data being shared. All of yourdetails, along with your money, is safe and secure with legal USA casinos.
Our experts are here to show you which online gambling sites are legal and regulated. We only review legal online casinos, therefore, you can rest assured you’re safe with us.
Legal casino operators are monitored by the state government and regulated for player safety and fairness. A casino that is regulated will ensure that your money is protected and the games youplay are 100% fair and safe. This way you can relax and enjoy your online casino experience.
Finding the best casino to register with is a piece of cake, thanks to our expert team. We are here to help you find the top onlinecasinos so you can begin playing your favorite games.
First and foremost, you want to make sure the online casino that you deposit money into will provide you with your favorite online casino games. If you are really into trying your luck onslots, it would make sense for you to deposit your money into an online casino that is dedicated in providing the latest and most exciting online slots titles on the market. If you are workingon your blackjack strategy, then perhaps you should choose an online casino that provides many different variations of online blackjack.
We also take into consideration many other aspects including:
American Casino Guide is divided into different sections according to the state. This is because casino regulations and the legal issues around online casino gambling in the US depend onindividual state laws.
There are many states that have moved forward with legal online gambling and out of those, several have legalized online casinos thus far. Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are the onlystates that have launched legal, regulated online casino sites thus far.
New Jersey was the first state to launch online casino gambling in the US. Casino gambling is actually illegal outside ofAtlantic City, therefore all NJ casino websites must be affiliated with licensed casinos in Atlantic City.
These platforms use age verification features and geolocation technology to ensure that players are at least 21 years of age and playing within the legal jurisdiction.
It is recommended that you only trust websites that are partnered with Atlantic City casinos in order to avoid getting scammed. Casino sites that are not affiliated with licensed casinos arenot legal or monitored by the state.
The following are the licensed and regulated NJ online casino sites that you can trust.
How do all of these sites differ? They all offer different promotions and special offers. There are also great loyalty and rewards programs on the New Jersey market depending on which site yousign up with.
So how do you narrow down your options? American Casino Guide has thorough reviews of each online casino to answer all of your questions and narrow down your choices.
Although Delaware is one of the smallest states in America, it also holds some of the best casino options in the country.Racetrack casinos, or racinos, have become a thriving business in Delaware and from there, online gambling sites have evolved. In 2013, just after the re-evaluation of the Wire Act, thefollowing racinos launched their online platforms.
In Pennsylvania, online gambling is currently underway. Online casinos have been launching steadily since July 15th, 2019.There is a hefty list of those expected to go live on this date from the following casino operators:
Sometimes you are just after the huge bonuses, and there is no shame in chasing free casino money. Some operators offer bigger (and more frequent) online casino bonuses than others.
Online casino bonuses are the best part about playing casino games online versus playing in a brick and mortar casino. Casino bonuses and rewards come in many shapes and sizes and unlockdifferent kinds of rewards.
Through registering with licensed USA operators, you can become eligible for a slew of bonuses and rewards. It is important to understand your bonus before using it to play casino games. We cansimplify that for you though.
There are ample opportunities to claim bonuses and play with free money when playing in an online casino. Because the market is so competitive, these brands will try to pull you away fromcompetitors. What’s the best way to do that? By throwing free money at you, of course!
Sign up and welcome bonuses are offered to new players. Practically all USA online casinos offer some sort of welcome package for depositing real money into your account. Most sites try to maketheir offers stand out from the rest, in order to win over those first-time depositors.
Welcome bonuses can include no deposit bonuses which can be claimed at registration. They almost always will include an online casino first deposit match bonus for new depositing players. Inaddition, some online casino welcome packages also include free spins or cashback.
It is important to note that a casino welcome package will usually come with certain requirements. These could require you to wager your real money bonus a certain number of times beforewinnings can be withdrawn from the account. It is always smart to read the terms and conditions before depositing your money.
No deposit bonuses are a great way to try out online casino games without depositing your money onto thesite. Since the competition is growing in certain states, it is now easier than ever to find no deposit bonuses. A no deposit bonus is basically a free play bonus, rewarded to you just forsigning up.
Often times, US operators will offer special no deposit bonus codes so that you can try out the games on offer. With no deposit bonus codes, you can try out popular online casino games for freeand with no commitments or obligations. This is also a great way to learn how to play certain casino games, with no added pressure. The best part about a no deposit bonus is that you can playfor free and still earn real money!
Free spins are one of the most popular types of casino bonuses, allowing you to spin the reel on certain slots titles for a chance to earn real money for free. Free spins bonuses give you abetter chance of scoring bonus rounds. Bonus rounds can lead to multiplied winnings, exciting special features with bonuses, and sometimes even more free spins!
Finding the best casino bonuses on the market is as easy as following AmericanCasinosGuide.com. Our experts will show you exactly where to find the top bonuses in the US. We even read the Termsand Conditions for you!
We’ll tell you which deals are the best, and which deals you should pass on. Let us help you be sure that you’re getting everything you want, and nothing you don’t.
Online slots are the most popular casino games in America, created with high-quality technology and captivating graphics.
Most sites even offer free slots for you to try out before depositing money.
When reviewing online slots, we break down many aspects of the game including:
Some of these factors can strongly impact the winnings that you take away from the game.
Many slots come with real money bonuses. The majority of these slots bonuses come in the form of free spins. There are also online slots bonus rounds that can be activated randomly whenplaying, offering massive payouts and rewards. Bonuses differ from game to game.
Another form of slot bonuses comes in a bonus wheel spin. Bonus wheels are made of different sections including prizes, multipliers, free spins, jackpots, and bonus credit.
Then there are Pick’em bonuses, which reveal hidden prizes once activated.
Sometimes there are random bonus rounds for slots players. These bonuses are activated at complete random, during or after a spin. Random bonuses can turn a losing spin into a winning spininstantly.
Free spins are one of the best ways to make money playing online slots. Free spins are exactly as they sound - spins onthe online slot machines without having to spend any money.
Free spins can be earned in a number of different ways.
When registering with an online casino, you will usually receive a hearty welcome package. 9 times out of 10, this will include a number of free spins to try out the casino’s most popular slotstitles.
Regular players can also receive free spins bonuses as a reward for their loyalty.
Another exciting way to earn free spins is through bonus rounds in certain slots games. Slots games with bonus rounds can be super exciting as you never know what rewards you will unlock!
Hard Rock Casino has one of the best welcome bonuses around! If you register an online casino account with Hard Rock, you receive 50 free spins toward five select slot games.
Other casinos offer great bonuses which allow you a large number of free spins.
BetMGM offers $25 in free play plus a 100% match bonus on your first deposit up to $1,000.
Borgata Casino follows close behind with $20 in free play and a 100% match bonus on your first deposit up to $600.
Depending on how much you deposit, that could be a lot of free spins!
Almost all of your favorite casino games can now be found and played online in absolute comfort. The online casino market in the US has unleashed a wide variety of games with the technology toensure fair play across the board.
USA online casino games range from the classic popular game choices to more unique titles that are exclusive to certain sites.
Before you begin playing, it is important to brush up on strategies and learn the RTP rates associated with your favorite games. RTP stands for return-to-player and refers to the likelihood ofwinning that game or the amount of money a player could win back from the game after a certain period of playing.
We recommend that you play casino games at any legal and regulated online casino. You can access massive game libraries at online casinos and enjoy playing any of the games once you haveregistered and made a deposit.
Online roulette is another favorite in American casinos online. This French game has evolved into many different forms. Onlineroulette moves much quicker than live roulette and the randomness of the wheel relies on a random number generator. American casinos offer versions of both online American Roulette and EuropeanRoulette.
Blackjack is often a favorite amongst many different skill levels in America. The game is easy to learn and becomes more exciting as you catch on to card counting and more advanced techniques.Online blackjack is a great way to learn how to play the game and to practice your blackjack betting strategy without thepressure of other players sitting around you.
Online craps is offered in American online casinos with special features that are not available in the land-based casino versionsof the game. The rules in online craps are quite simple and the betting options are quite varied. In online craps, betting choices determine the course of action.
Bingo is a popular game everywhere, and you can find many different variations of online bingo on US sites. Players purchase cards and the games begin at certain times. Bingo numbers are chosenvia a random number generator and then automatically painted to the player’s ticket.
Poker is one of the most popular betting games in the world. Online video poker is an online casino game for those who enjoy this game of strategy and skill. Video poker allows you to practicethe game of poker before playing at a live table under pressure. This game comes in many different variants including single-hand and multi-hand games. Different variations of online poker areoffered along with many different platforms, however, these are the most common:
Once you have become a seasoned poker player, there are many online poker tournaments held through certain sites. Live dealer games are becoming increasingly popular.
Live dealer casino games are games played in real-time, allowing you to interact with a live dealer while playing on your own device. Live dealer games give you the thrill of a live casino withthe convenience of playing online!
In order to play live casino games, you will first need to be registered with a legal online casino. Once you haveregistered, you can then play any of the casino games offered to you in the game library. Live dealer games will have allotted times so be sure to check the schedules for the live casino gamesyou wish to play.
Playing at a live dealer casino table is going to give you a much different experience than playing with an online casino game powered by a Random Number Generator (RNG).
Regulated online casinos are able to offer fair outcomes as these outcomes are determined by an RNG. This is a system that provides random numbers, cards, or symbols at complete random to makesure that the games being played have completely random outcomes. There are no patterns generated by this system. The RNGs are checked every month to make sure they are still delivering fairresults.
When playing a live casino game, the action is happening in real-time as you watch on the screen. You can watch the dealer hand out the cards or watch the croupier spin the wheel. There is alarge social aspect to a live dealer game as you can actually interact with the dealer and other players throughout the game.
Although it may seem at first glance that Las Vegas and Atlantic City are the main casino hubs, mobile casinos are the next big thing, thanks to the evolution of the American gambling market.The great American casino is now right at your fingertips!
In order to play mobile casino games, you must register with an online casino. This can be done online or on a mobile device. Online casinos offer mobile apps for iOS and Android devices.Once the registration process is complete, simply download the app and start playing!
Mobile casinos are as real and trustworthy as they come. Playing in a mobile casino is no different than playing in an online casino. All of your deposits and withdrawals are secured with thehighest levels of SSL encryption technology. With the technology used, it is impossible for third parties to intercept any data being sent. All software used comes from highly regarded softwareproviders.
Mobile casino games are almost identical to the games you would play on your desktop. Mobile apps offer a smaller selection of games, however, the graphics and layout of the games make theexperience largely similar to that of playing on a bigger screen.
Customer support is a very important aspect of an online casino. Most operators will offer a variety of customer support channels for users. You will usually find
Online casinos share many different casino games supplied by many different software providers. It’s important to make sure the online casino you register with offers games supplied byreputable software providers. There should be a wide selection of popular games
Be sure to consider the following when reviewing software providers.
Some of the top providers include:
Online gambling is not legal throughout the entire US and more importantly, playing on an online casino is only legal in four states for now - NewJersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia.
In the USA, laws differ between federal and state legislation. Federally, online gambling can be made legal in any state. But if only it were that simple.
Online gambling laws were assumed to be defined through the state’s rights. However the problem arose when it came to interstate gambling. When money changes hands, it becomes a federal issue.This became an international issue as offshore casinos tried to lure in U.S. customers. This is prohibited by federal law. Still, many illegal casinos have operated under the radar, and fundswere not always safe.
Each state is now able to create its own laws around online gambling. The four states which have legalized online gambling are New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia. This meansthat all licensed operators are controlled and monitored by the state governments to ensure player fairness and safety.
State economies are evolving as these states legalize online gambling, and these financial gains are encouraging many other states to follow suit. This domino effect of online gamblinglegalization in the US is spreading throughout the country.
There are loads of illegal offshore casinos which cannot be trusted. The only way to be sure that you are playing fair games and that your data and personal information is safe is by choosing areputable, legal, regulated online casino.
When you play at an unregulated casino, you're putting your safety and money at risk. These types of sites have no protection and are the prime targets for hackers looking to steal money oryour personal information. We recommend avoiding off-shore casinos at all costs.
Online casinos that have been deemed legal in certain states are very safe. All of the casinos we recommend are subject to random testings that are done on the games and software on thesite. Random number generators are also used by each casino to ensure every game has a randomized outcome for everyone who plays.
Every state legalizing online casinos has a Gaming Board to see over all of the gambling sites. New Jersey and Pennsylvania are two of the biggest hubs for online casinos in the country rightnow and both are very safe markets.
For a casino to avoid being shut down, they must see that all of the guidelines and rules are followed. The slightest misstep could cost an operator millions, which no one wants to risk.
We are AmericanCasinoGuide.com, the best casino guide for US players. We are experts who believe that knowledge is money and we are well-equipped to enhance your online casino experience.
Whether it’s finding the best online casino to sign up with, discovering new bonuses, or understanding how slot machines work, we have it all! If your goal is to play online casino games andearn real money, you’re in the right place.
The more you know about each game and each casino, the more successful you will be. Although online casino games rely a great deal on chance and casinos almost always carry the edge, there areways you can increase your winning odds and enhance your overall online casino experience. Casino games are about having fun, but who doesn’t want to walk away with a profit?
Our experts have the best game recommendations and strategy guides you can find. We are here to guide you to finding the best casino and playing smarter so you can start maximizing yourwinnings today!
The internet abounds with stories of folks getting ripped off by off-shore casinos. That’s why we at American Casino Guide only review and recommend completely legal, state-approved, andregulated casinos. You have the same protection for your legal online casino financial transactions as you do when buying from a store. You can be sure you are shopping smart by using ourcomprehensive reviews.
You can trust us because our experts love online casino games just as much as you do. American Casino Guide has been around for years, and we know the industry inside and out. Our experts arescouring the market daily, trying out new games, and searching for the best deals.
There are just a handful of states in America with regulations in place around legal online gambling, but it's safe to say we can expect much more in the future. Many states are currently goingthrough the motions of putting legislation in order for the regulation of USA online casinos and poker.
American Casino Guide experts work hard to stay up to date with the recent news on American online gambling laws. We provide thorough overviews of the industry along with comprehensive listsand reviews of online casinos in the US.
Many state legislatures are - at this moment - debating legalizing online casino gaming in their states. Legalization is rapidly changing, sometimes overnight, and our team is committed tobringing you the latest developments of online casino gaming in the United States.
In American Casino Guide, you have everything you need to navigate the land-based casino territory of the USA. The United States has a mix of many different land-based casinos. Depending on thestate you are in, you could find a variety of different casinos including:
Our experts have compiled a plethora of information on all casinos in the country. You can view each casino in the US, listed by the state, as well as listed by the city. Finding reviews onthese is simple.
We provide the most honest casino reviews. In these listings, you will also find additional information on each casino such as:
Finding this information is simple. When navigating American Casino Guide, you will see a list of all American states. Here is where you navigate to the lists of casinos in each state.
Once you find the state of your choice, you will find an alphabetical list of land-based casinos in that state.Each of these is rated. You can read reviews on any of these casinos and find all of the information you could possibly need - from the types of games they offer to whether or not there is freeparking at the facility.
Want to get more specific? Search casinos by the city to find the list of casinos in any particular city on themap. The casinos are all rated and offer honest reviews from the public. Any information you need to know about casinos in the US can be found in these guides.
What’s more, American Casino Guide offers bonus codes and coupons for casinos all across the US. Just browse through our promotions pages and find something special. Collect your promotions,read our casino reviews, and prepare yourself for the perfect outing at your favorite American casino!
Gambling is intended for entertainment, but if you or someone you care about has a gambling problem, get help now. Call 1-800-GAMBLER for immediate help or visit www.ncpgambling.org.
PA online casinos are up and running, and growing fast.
If you are 21 years or older and inside Pennsylvania state lines, you can now enjoy online slots, table games, and video poker from your desktop computer or mobile devices.
This page contains all the information you need to start playing at online casinos in PA.
Below is a guide to the games you can play for free and for realmoney at PA online casinos. After that, you’ll find information on apps, bonuses, safety, and geolocationtechnology.
Regulated casinos also include protection for problem gamblers, which we cover at the end of this page.
You can play most games at PA casinos online for fun. Playing games in demomode, or with play-money chips, allows you to find the titles you like before you gamble.
The only category of games that are notavailable for free play is live dealer table games. You can watch them, though you will not be able to wager on them – at least yet.
The current offerings on real money online casinos in PA are growing, and fast. Casino sites regularly add new games as they are approved by the PA Gaming Control Board (PGCB).
We offer an overview of how diverse these casino game categories are. Keep in mind that the most prominent New Jersey online casinos offer more than 600 titles.
The number of Pennsylvania online casinos is now in double-digits. All of the PA casino apps are available 24/7 and offer online slots, video poker, and table games such as roulette, blackjack, and baccarat. Use this table to compare the real money casinos in PA.
Rank | PA Casinos | Bonus Offer | Progressive | Slots | Play Now! |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | BetMGM Casino | $25 Free + 100% up to $1,000 | Divine Fortune + Mercy of the Gods | 80+ | Play Now! |
2. | Caesars Casino | 100% up to $500 | N/A | 36+ | Play Now! |
3. | FanDuel Casino | $200 Risk-Free | N/A | 25+ | Play Now! |
4. | Unibet Casino | $10 Free + 100% up to $500 | Jackpot Shores + Divine Fortune | 75+ | Play Now! |
5. | Fox Bet Casino | 100% up to $1500 | N/A | 12+ | Play Now! |
6. | DraftKings Casino | $45 Free + 100% up to $1500 | N/A | 25+ | Play now! |
7. | BetRivers Casino | 100% up to $250 | Divine Fortune | 50+ | Play Now! |
8. | Sugarhouse Casino | 100% up to $250 | Divine Fortune | 70+ | Play Now! |
9. | Hollywood Casino | $10 Free + 100% up to $502 | Divine Fortune | 80+ | Play Now! |
10. | PokerStars Casino | 100% up to $1500 | N/A | 25+ | Play Now! |
Slots are the biggest category of games for any online casino. You can expect to see over 200 games listed on some sites and you’ll need some way to sort the list of slot titles.
Firstly, casinos will feature their most popular games. You can use filters to search by, e.g., the number of reels, game developer, progressive jackpots, and so on.
If you enjoy live casino slots, then you will be able to play a lot of these online. You can search by name, or browse the listings for IGT, Bally, or another live slot studio.
Many online casinos feature classic games, e.g., Wheel of Fortune, Cleopatra, and WolfRun. You can also find traditional three-reel slots. Online slot studios like IGT created these.
When you browse the tiled graphics for slots to enjoy, you’ll see progressivejackpots listed underneath many of them. These pools can get massive, up to $1 million or more.
Tablegames are a broad category, although it mostly covers all the casino games played on the greenfelt.
While most are card-based, dice and roulette wheels also fall under table games. Live dealer games are in this category; however, we will cover them separately.
This list is for the software-based versions:
In other states, live dealer table games have become the go-to for many players and soon, they’ll be available in PA. With these, you’ll bet online although the action will be dealt in real-time from studios in PA live casinos. Bets will settle automatically.
Games available include blackjack (where you play on a seven-handed table), roulette, three-card poker, Casino Hold ’em, and baccarat.
Keep in mind, you need to act before the timer runs down in these games. Otherwise, your hand will be folded (or you’ll stand), depending on the game.
You can chat via text with the dealers and other players while you play. The added social element, plus the ability to watch the cards being dealt, make these increasingly popular games.
PA casinos allow you to play video poker games online. These include bonus poker and multi-hand variations, as well as traditional titles.
There are pros and cons to online casino apps compared to mobile-friendly websites.
With apps, you often find only a limited number of game titles, along with account and cashier functionality. Compared to the hundreds of games you can play on your browser, this is a significant drawback.
On the positive side, having the graphics stored on your phone helps the games initialize faster. If you have ever had to wait for a bonus game to load on your mobile device after you hit it on a slot, you know how frustrating this can be.
All online casinos in PA are licensed and under the jurisdiction of the PennsylvaniaGaming Control Board (PGCB).
Players are protected by know your customer (KYC) guidelines and responsible gaming laws. The games are tested for integrity and fairness. A complaint and dispute process is available if necessary.
When it comes to Pennsylvania online casinos, you really can’t get any safer.
The PGCB stated early in the licensing process that they have a deliberate, slow approach. This includes testing periods for new apps and websites. With the licenses for online casinos in Pennsylvania held by local live casinos and racetrack casinos, you’ll have trusted brand names behind each of the apps.
A major concern for players new to casino games is the fairness of the spins or deals. At regulated casinos, games are regularly audited and the expected return-to-player (RTP) percentages are published. While each game has a small edge in favor of the house, you can be sure that you are getting a fair shot at winning and it’s in line with the published figures.
With a lot of real money online casinos opening in PA in quick succession, you can be sure they will be competing to attract new players.
This means 2021 is a perfect time to take advantage of their marketing budgets. Casino bonuses take four primary forms, and not every casino will offer them all. If not, the bonuses they do offer will need to be generous.
Here are the main types of casino bonuses:
While nothing is stopping you from taking up several casino bonuses, keep in mind that these are restricted to one per household for each casino. Many players have been tempted to sign up their entire family for a free-play offer only to find their accounts to be closed down quickly.
For many years, the only way to play online casino games in Pennsylvania was to risk your money at offshore casinos. While there were some limited legal options with sweepstakescasinos, the new legal PA internet casinos effectively remove the need to take this risk.
Offshore casinos are usually based in the Caribbean or Central America and their legal status is uncertain. While their host nation licenses them, they are not recognized or licensed by any US authority and our banks are legally obliged to block payments to them.
A greater concern is the lack of oversight and controls. Many offshore casinos have disappeared over the years, and many players have faced significant issues getting their winnings paid. If you have a dispute with an offshore casino, there is no industry body or organization to help you.
With PA casinos under the watchfuleye of the PGCB, they are licensed to accept conventional payment methods and thoroughly tested. There is no longer any reason to risk playing at an offshore site.
You will be able to access the PA online casinos fromanywhere. However, playing games for real money and making deposits can only be made within PA state lines.
Pennsylvania casinos will not allow real-money play if there is any doubt about your location. In New Jersey, this led to a lot of “falsenegatives.” Players who were on mobile devices near state borders were sometimes flagged as being outside of the state.
Fortunately, those initial problems were ironed out and geolocation technology is more reliable.
If you are using a VPN or proxyserver, you might still experience issues. Mobile users on 4G and close to the state border who experience problems can download additionalgeolocationsoftware in some cases.
Wi-Fi data is difficult to fake, and if you are not using a VPN, desktop players are unlikely to experience geolocation issues.
PA Online Casino | Launch Date |
---|---|
Sugarhouse Online Casino PA | July 17, 2019 |
Hollywood Casino | July 15, 2019 |
Parx Casino PA | July 15, 2019 |
PokerStars Casino | Nov. 4, 2019 |
Unibet via Mohegan Sun Pocono | Nov. 12, 2019 |
FanDuel Casino via Valley Forge | Jan. 24, 2020 |
BetAmerica (Presque Isle Downs) | Jan. 28, 2020 |
BetRivers (Rivers Philadelphia) | Jan. 30, 2020 |
Caesars Online Casino (Harrah's Philadelphia) | April 23, 2020 |
DraftKings Casino (Hollywood) | May 1, 2020 |
Wind Creek Casino | July 24, 2020 |
PlayLive! (Live! Casino & Hotel) | Aug. 14, 2020 |
BetMGM (Hollywood) | Dec. 1, 2020 |
Golden Nugget NJ | TBD |
In total, there are 12 licensed casinos that can legally offer online casino games, including slots and blackjack.
In the first month of 2020, FanDuel Casino, BetAmerica, and BetRivers Casino launched just before the Super Bowl. The long-awaited Caesars Online Casino in partnership with Harrah’s Philadelphia followed in April.
Rivers Philadelphia (Formerly SugarHouse Casino) was the first brick-and-mortar casino to offer two different online casino skins under its casino license: PlaySugarHouse and BetRivers. The latter is integrated with the Rivers Pittsburgh online sportsbook that carries the same BetRivers name. Rivers Casino Pittsburgh did not obtain an online casino license.
On May 1, 2020, DraftKings Online Casino went live, becoming the second interactive gaming site under the Hollywood Casino license. Meadows, DraftKings’ land-based partner for online sports betting, does not hold an online casino license. But both Meadows and Hollywood are owned by Penn National Gaming, which has a market-access deal with DraftKings.
FanDuel and DraftKings originally launched online casinos that were integrated with their sportsbooks. Now, both have stand-alone online casino apps live in PA.
In late July 2020, Wind Creek Bethlehem dove into the online betting scene, launching the Wind Creek online casino through a partnership with Pala Interactive.
There are currently 12 licensed gambling properties in the state of Pennsylvania, with another casino in the works in Philadelphia’s Stadium Park.
According to PGCB, this includes 10 stand-alone and racetrack casinos and two smaller resort casinos. The former two are Category 1 and 2 casinos, while the latter falls into Category 3. These gaming establishments employ approximately 18,000 people and generate close to $1.4 billion in tax revenue annually.
As part of its gambling expansion law passed in October 2017, the state had the ability to issue up to tenCategory 4 licenses. These licenses allow for mini-casinos with 300-750 slots. A supplemental license costing $2.5 million allows these satellite casino properties to offer up to 30 table games as well.
The process for the issuance of mini-casino licensing involves a series of auctions. The preliminary auctions began in January 2018 and were limited only to the licensed Category 1 and 2 casinos. The first license went to Penn National, who spent $50.1 million to secure a location 50 miles south of its existing Hollywood Casino. During the first round of auctions, PGCB awarded five licenses.
The PGCB ran a second round of auctions on Sept. 3, 2019 but there were no bidders this time around. As a result, the five remaining licenses will go unclaimed. In all, $114 million in license fees were raised.
A system for self-exclusion for problemgamblers is available at live casinos in Pennsylvania.
This program involves filling out some forms, providing a photo ID, and voluntarily requesting one-year, five-year or lifetime exclusion.
A list of excluded people is distributed to all live casinos. Then it is the casinos’ responsibility is to prevent those people from entering gaming areas.
Removal from this list (for the shorter periods) does not happen automatically. After the period expires, individuals must request their removal personally.
Online gambling prevents new challenges when it comes to the management of problem gambling. For the majority to enjoy safe gambling online, support systems need to be in place for players who experience issues.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Commission manages this support program.
Here is what legal Pennsylvania online casinos must provide:
Support programs in the state include:
The Pennsylvania casino industry is relatively young. Casinos only became legal in 2004. Yet, in the dozen or so years in existence, the industry quickly became a powerhouse. Now it is the second-largest commercial casino industry in the country judging by gross revenue, trailing only Nevada.
Thanks to steep tax rates, Pennsylvania casinos actually generate more tax revenue for the state than Nevada does. That number has gotten even bigger thanks to the gambling expansion law passed in the fall of 2017.
Here is a look at the history of the Pennsylvania casino industry, starting with the latest news and moving back towards the casino industry’s more humble beginnings:
The year began on a high, but that soon changed as the spread of COVID-19 led to the shuttering of all retail casinos and racetracks in PA by mid-March. That meant furloughs for casino employees and falling casino stock prices.
Online sportsbooks were also hit hard, with most sports sidelined for a lengthy period of time.
On a positive note, three more online casinos joined the market before the Super Bowl. The FanDuel online casino made quite a splash, surging to highest handle and revenue earner after its first full month in February.
The long-awaited Caesars sportsbook went live on March 10 in partnership with Harrah’s Philadelphia, bringing the state’s online sports betting apps to a total of nine. The Caesars online casino followed on April 23, making it nine internet casinos too. An online poker room under the WSOP.com name is expected to follow.
On May 1, DraftKings added an online casino product to its established online sportbook. Its online casino product is under the Hollywood Casino license, while the DraftKings sportsbook partners with Penn’s other PA property, The Meadows. Both FanDuel and DraftKings later debuted standalone online casino apps in June and July, respectively.
Wind Creek launched its first online product with an online casino in late July, and Live! Casino brought PlayLive! online casino to PA in mid-August. Live! was the only casino to launch iGaming ahead of retail openings, which are to follow in 2021.
Online wagering sparked and sportsbooks blossomed.
With sportsbooks, there were just three operations at the beginning of the year, and all were retail. By the end of the year, the Keystone State had 12 retail sportsbooks.
But eight online sportsbooks were also running by year’s end, with around 84% of all sports wagering done online. Taken together, sports betting took in more than a billion bucks in 2019.
Five online casino sites went live, the first ones launching in July, though a new Wire Act opinion likely slowed that market segment at the start.
And at long last, an online poker site finally launched. On Nov. 4, FOX Bet was joined by PokerStars Casino and PokerStars PA, making poker a reality in the Keystone State.
In October 2019, SugarHouse changed its name to Rivers Casino Philadelphia, but not before launching the first PA online sportsbook in May. PlaySugarHouse sportsbook and online casino still retain the SugarHouse name.
After a summer of bickering, the state legislature drafted a new version of the gambling expansion package, which both the House and Senate passed. Gov. Tom Wolf signed it into law on Monday, Oct. 30, 2018. The new law allows for a wide range of new gambling ventures, including:
It also offered a new class of license eliminating the amenity fee in place at Valley Forge and Lady Luck Nemacolin. Valley Forge paid the fee immediately after the bill became law.
New licensing fees brought in more than $311 million for the state.
The PA Lottery launched several new games and created the online platform iLottery.
A US Supreme Court ruling allowed sports wagering to begin and nine of 12 properties immediately applied for licenses.
Total gambling revenue topped $3.4 billion.
Legislation which would legalize and regulate online gambling in Pennsylvania, and offer online gaming licenses to the state’s 12 casino properties first, was passed by the Senate. In June 2017 it was amended and passed by the House, sending it back to the Senate.
The law was approved at the end of October.
The law ushered in sportsbook wagering and video game terminals at truck stops, and a new category of “mini-casinos” was created. As part of the expansion, horse racing money from casino slot revenue was encumbered in a trust fund. The slot money was originally set aside as part of the deal which led to the 2004 approval of casinos.
Casinos set a revenue record of $3.227 billion.
Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin opened in July 2013.
Valley Forge Casino Resort opened its doors in March 2012 becoming the first Category 3 licensed casino in Pennsylvania.
After several ownership changes and failed financing plans with no construction to date, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board voted to revoke the Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia gaming license in December 2010.
SugarHouse Casino opened its first phase in Philadelphia in September 2010.
Pennsylvania passed a law in January 2010, authorizing table game operations at the state’s licensed racino, casino, and resort casino properties. The law also clarified the size and scope of gaming and other operations at the state’s three different categories of gaming licensees, including:
Parx Casino standalone gaming facility opened its doors in December .
Rivers Casino opened in Pittsburgh, PA’s Chateau neighborhood along the Ohio River in September.
Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem opened on the Bethlehem Works development site in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in May 2009. Table games were added in July 2010. The property officially changed ownership to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in June 2019. The casino is now known as Wind Creek Bethlehem.
Hollywood Casino opened at Penn National racetrack in February 2008.
Mount Airy Casino Resort officially opened in the Poconos in November 2007, becoming the first Pennsylvania casino with lodging.
The Meadows Casino began as a temporary casino adjacent to the racetrack in Washington County, PA in June 2007. The permanent casino opened in 2009.
Presque Isle Downs casino and horse racing track near Erie, Pennsylvania opened in February 2007.
A slots parlor began operation at Harrah’s Philadelphia racetrack on the Chester waterfront. Table games went live at the property in 2010.
Parx Casino opened as a temporary gaming facility at the former Philadelphia Park racetrack in December 2006.
Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia is granted one of five stand-alone casino licenses for a soon-to-be-built property located along the Delaware River in South Philadelphia. The project fell apart, resulting in PGCB revoking the license in 2010.
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs became the state’s first slot parlor after opening its doors in November 2006 at a harness track near Wilkes-Barre.
State lawmakers made a number of amendments to horse track security bill authorizing both the use of 61,000 slot machines at racetracks and other new casino locations across Pennsylvania. Lawmakers rushed the bill through the House and Senate over the Fourth of July weekend, then quickly became law before any real opposition to casino gambling had a chance to oppose it.
The bill ultimately authorized the issue of three separate categories of slot machine licenses. These included:
Former Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell runs for Pennsylvania Governor. He wins on a campaign that includes support for the idea of allowing slot machines at racetracks in an effort to lower property taxes.
Under Then-Governor Tom Ridge the State Legislature came close to legalizing riverboat casinos. The state’s anti-gambling movement began to grow and Gov. Ridge said he would veto any gambling bill not approved by referendum. Eventually the entire idea was scrapped.
A statewide survey found 48 percent of Pennsylvania residents supported legalized riverboat gambling and just 38 percent were opposed. However, Then-Governor Robert P. Casey claimed to be opposed to gambling and threatened to veto any gambling legislation passed in the state.
First developed under Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode, and championed by mayoral successor Ed Rendell, a proposal to allow riverboat gambling in Philadelphia made it to the state legislature. The claim was it would create $25 million in new revenue for the city and 11,500 new jobs. However, the House of Representatives voted against it in November by a margin of 118-81.
Resorts Casino Hotel opened in Atlantic City, New Jersey, becoming the first legal casino in Atlantic City. Resorts and the rest of the Atlantic City Boardwalk is within 60 miles of Philadelphia. It quickly become evident that Pennsylvania residents are some of the budding Atlantic City casino industry’s best customers.