FAQ: Common Questions about Online Gambling in PA

Pennsylvania Online Gambling FAQ

Please be aware that every question below has been answered to the best of our knowledge, and without bias. We’ve spent a great deal of time researching Pennsylvania online gambling laws to ensure the information below is factual and up to date at time of writing.

What is internet gaming?

Pennsylvania law defines “internet gaming” (a.k.a. “online gambling”) as:

“…casino-style games which are also offered at Pennsylvania casinos (table games, poker, slot machines) using communication technology generally through a computer, tablet or mobile phone.”

Is it legal to gamble online?

Yes. Pennsylvania’s licensed and regulated online casinos are 100% legal for eligible users.

Who is eligible to gamble online in PA?

Anyone of legal gambling age that is physically located in the state of Pennsylvania, and whose name does not appear on any of the state’s voluntary or involuntary exclusion lists, can gamble online at PA-regulated websites.

What is the legal gambling age?

21 years of age and up.

What if I’m excluded from gambling in PA?

There are two reasons you might be excluded from gambling, online or in person, in Pennsylvania. The most common is voluntary self-exclusion. Anyone who believes they may have a gambling problem has the option to sign up for voluntary self-exclusion. The second is involuntary self-exclusion, which is generally the result of a court order. Anyone whose name appears on either of these lists will not be permitted to gamble online in Pennsylvania. Click the link below for more information.

• PGCB’s Self-Exclusion Program

Who is in charge of regulating PA iGaming?

Regulation of online gambling in PA is conducted by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).

Who can apply for a PA iGaming license?

Only existing land-based casinos licensed by the PGCB are eligible to apply for an internet gaming license in the state.

Which online casinos are licensed and regulated by the PGCB?

At present, the PGCB has issued licenses for 12 online gambling websites. You can view the full list, and what types of iGaming they have to offer, here:

• PA Licensed Online Gaming Sites

What types of online gambling are legal in PA?

Pennsylvania law permits the authorization and regulation of the following iGaming activities:

• Casino games
• Poker games
• Sports betting
• Fantasy sports
• Virtual sports
• Horse racing
• iLottery

You can learn more about each of PA’s legal iGaming verticals here:

• Types of Legal iGaming in PA

How secure are PA’s gambling websites?

All gambling sites regulated by the PGCB are as safe and secure as any government-run, financially-driven online activity, such as online banking. State-of-the-art security measures and encryption technologies are utilized to ensure the secure transmission of all sensitive information between client and server. In short, these websites are as safe as modern technology allows.

How do iGaming sites know if I’m physically in PA?

The PGCB has installed a sophisticated geolocation system that utilizes GPS software and IP address identification to determine the location of each individual attempting to log in to a regulated iGaming website. Only eligible persons located within the state’s borders will be permitted to login. All others will be blocked from entry.

What if I live in Pennsylvania, but travel out of state?

You will not be permitted to access any iGaming activities while physically located outside the state. If you need to request a withdrawal, you’ll have to get in touch with customer service. Otherwise, you can resume account activities upon return.

Who benefits from PA iGaming? Where does the tax revenue go?

According to the PGCB, distribution of taxed gross revenue from internet gaming is allocated as follows:

• Table Games: 14% goes to the Pennsylvania General Fund.
• Slot Machines: Total distribution 52% as follows – 34% to PA Tax Relief Fund; 13% to CFA for county grants; 5% to counties suffering decrease in local slot machine share compared to FY2-17-18.
• All iGaming: Additional 1% to license holder’s host county; 1% to CFA for country grants.

Are all PA iGaming sites the same?

No. Each licensed website is partnered with one or more operational vendors of their choosing, and may provide any one or more of the legal iGaming activities to its members. As such, some offer more iGaming verticals and/or a larger game variety than others. Some may have more payment method options. For this reason, we feel that it is important for all potential iGamers to investigate the qualities of each website before signing up or making a deposit.