Best PA Legal Online Casinos – Play For Real Money

Pennsylvania has one of the best online casino markets in the USA, offering a wide selection of games from some of the world’s top developers. In this guide to the top Pennsylvania online casino sites, we’ve covered everything from the legal situation to the top bonuses for new players.

The Best Pennsylvania Legal Online Casinos

There are now roughly 19 online casinos on the market, with each one affiliated with a land-based PA casino. While all of these sites are guaranteed to be safe and secure, we want to help you sign up with the very best operators. This is why we’ve created a shortlist of the top Pennsylvania legal online casinos.

All of these sites were chosen because they offer unique characteristics that will appeal to different types of gamblers. It’s essential that you understand what it is is important to you in a casino site before you join, as it’s not worth investing in a casino that doesn’t offer what you want to play.

Fortunately, all of the above sites offer a wide selection of slots and table games from some great software developers. That said, some of them offer unique titles or games that you won’t find elsewhere. Furthermore, many also offer integrated sportsbooks, daily fantasy sports, and online poker platforms.

In the upcoming section, we’ll explain the features that we look out for when trying to find the best PA legal online casino sites. By reading this, you will be able to learn how to spot a top PA online casino and determine what your own individual tastes and needs are.

Criteria

In order to accurately and fairly assess each online casino legal in PA, we utilize standard grading criteria to review each site. This includes important elements such as the casino games selection and software, bonuses, web platform, mobile gambling options, and much more.

Legal Situation of PA Online Casinos

In 2017, Pennsylvania passed one of the largest gambling expansion bills in US history. Bill HB 271 authorized a broad suite of legal online gambling options, including online casinos, online lottery, online poker, and sports betting. The bill also outlined regulations and financial obligations for license applicants.

A gambling expansion bill was considered for nearly five years in the state before the House and Senate unanimously approved the current law. After Governor Tom Wolf signed it into law, PA became the fourth state in the USA to offer legal online gambling after Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware.

The law permits a total of 12 online operator licenses, with one each for the state’s 12 land-based casinos. There are different licenses required for online poker, slots, and table games, with a one-time application fee of $10 million required to offer all three. Players must be over 21 years old to gamble online.

Licensing

Bill HB 271 gave the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) the authority to approve licenses and regulate the local online casino industry. In order for an operator to be granted a license, it must prove that it meets the PGCB’s strict regulation requirements, have enough capital, and follow responsible gambling guidelines.

The PGCB also deals with matters of tax and informs the government about any gambling-related changes to the law. Operators are required to pay 14 percent in taxes on gross gaming revenues (GGR) for online poker and table games and a massive 52 percent tax on GGR for video slots.

Where in the USA are Online Casinos Legal?

There are a total of six states that have legalized online casino gambling. These include New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, Delaware, and Connecticut. Delaware online gambling is available exclusively through the state lottery, and Connecticut only recently passed legislation and the market has yet to open. It is worth noting that online poker is legal in Nevada. It’s also predicted that Illinois will legalize the market by December 2021. While you don’t need to be a resident of these states to join, you must be within state lines to legally play.

Pennsylvania Casino Games

Thanks to Pennsylvania’s broad gambling laws, there are a wide variety of online casino games available at the top legal online casinos in PA. These include classic and video slots, blackjack, roulette, video poker, and live dealer casinos. There are several world-class developers represented at these sites, ensuring that there are always new game styles and aesthetics to try.

When we’re judging an online casino game library, we are looking for both quality and quantity. We also want to see that there is a diverse selection of themes and styles for slots as this guarantees that all players will be catered to. Fortunately, all of our recommended casinos offer high-quality and fair gaming options.

Online Slots

Online slots are without a doubt the most popular casino game in the world. Since land-based casino gambling was legalized in Pennsylvania, more than 60,000 slot machines have sprung up around the state, proving that local players are also fond of these fast, dynamic, and diverse gambling games.

One of the biggest perks to online slots is that there are always new games being released, with many offering special features that you’d never find in their land-based counterparts. Since debuting in PA in 2019, online slots have become the top-earning casino game. The following are some of the most popular titles.

Starburst

Starburst is NetEnt’s flagship online slot machine and the most popular online slot in the world. This simple yet captivating game uses an interstellar theme and a simple 5 by 3 reel setup. With dazzling animations, a lively soundtrack, high payouts, and free spins available, it’s no wonder why PA players have fallen in love with this game.

Da Vinci Diamonds

Da Vinci Diamonds was created by IGT, a leading developer in both land-based and online casino games. This beautifully designed slot uses a Renaissance-era theme, with some of Da Vinci’s most famous artworks standing in for high-paying symbols. Special features include a generous free spins bonus and tumbling reels.

88 Fortunes

88 Fortunes by Scientific Games has quickly become one of the most popular slots amongst PA online casino gamblers. The game utilizes a bold Chinese-luck theme and pays out according to a modern 243-way-to-win mechanism. In addition to a pick-a-prize bonus round, 10 free spins can be round with unlimited re-triggers up for grabs.

Jackpot Slots

Just as land-based casinos offer progressive jackpot slots, so too do the top PA casino sites. Several of these are linked, meaning that no matter which site you play the slot at, the jackpot prize will continue to build until a lucky winner claims it. The following are two of the most popular jackpot slots in Pennsylvania.

Divine Fortunes

Divine Fortunes from NetEnt is a Greek mythology-themed jackpot slot and the most popular online jackpot game in the USA. The game frequently offers huge cash prizes. In fact, a Pennsylvanian woman holds the US record for the largest online jackpot win with the game after winning its $500 thousand Mega Jackpot prize.

Mercy of the Gods

Mercy of the Gods is an Egyptian-themed slot from NetEnt which uses the same jackpot system as Divine Fortunes. Jackpots can be won through the bonus round, whereby players have the chance to win either Minor, Major, or Mega Jackpot. Released in 2019, Mercy of the Gods delights with modern graphics and immersive features.

Online Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games in the world. You may be surprised to learn that it’s been beautifully adapted for online play, with many different versions available from the top game developers. Each has its own distinct theme and aesthetic that ranges from cartoonish to realistic.

One of the best things about online blackjack is that it has one of the highest return-to-player rates for any online casino game. There are also wide betting options, with many games starting bets at $1 per hand. Other variants may allow you to make side bets, play multiple hands, or double down on bets.

Online Roulette

If you’re a fan of this casino classic, you’re going to love online roulette. Like blackjack, there are plenty of different aesthetic styles that you can choose from and a satisfying selection of variants. These include European, American, and French versions of the game, each with a varying RTP rate.

We suggest playing the European version as it has the best payout rates. Several titles offer unique features to make for a distinct gaming experience, whether that be the fast-paced Turbo Roulette or the low-budget 25c Roulette. We suggest you play free demos when provided to ensure that you like the style.

Poker

Many PA online casinos offer both online poker and video poker. Video poker is a type of poker game that is played against computers rather than players. These will be featured within the games catalog and cater to all budgets. You will be able to find video poker games such as Caribbean Stud and Joker Poker.

Alternatively, you could access the online poker platform at your chosen casino. This is played against real players and offers both single events or tournaments. Expect regular games of Texas Hold’Em and Stud Poker with large cash prizes up for grabs. If you’re a newbie, we suggest practicing video poker before moving to online poker.

Other games

To keep things interesting, PA online gambling sites will usually stock other table games such as baccarat or Pai Gow within their library. Some may offer bingo or lottery-style scratch cards, while operators like DraftKings have created a selection of unique games in-house with sports themes.

Software Providers

While online gambling is a relatively new prospect in the USA, many other countries have had legal markets for over two decades. This has allowed a number of developers to earn strong reputations for creating unique, fun, and fair games. Fortunately, many of these developers’ games can be found in PA online casinos.

In particular, NetEnt, Scientific Games, and Microgaming are world-class providers of slots and table games. These operators regularly release new titles, with many being adaptations of popular TV shows and movies. Each developer has its own unique style and some have their own trademark slot special features or payout mechanics.

Live Casino

If you’re looking for the most immersive and realistic casino experience while at home or on the go, we recommend you try live dealer games. As the name suggests, live casinos host a myriad of casino games that are hosted by charismatic real-life dealers streamed from local studios.

There is a wide slate of live dealer games available, including blackjack, roulette, and poker. Some live casinos even offer adaptations of TV game shows and board games such as Deal or No Deal and Monopoly. Live casinos tend to mid-budget and high-roller players, with maximum bets much higher than video variants of table games.

The undisputed top live games developer is Evolution Gaming, which has a reputation for creating well-produced, stable, and slick games. Evolution Gaming software is available at several PA online casino sites. Just keep in mind that you’ll need a stable internet connection and decent download speeds to stream them.

Safety and Fairness

An essential factor to consider before signing up to new Pennsylvania online casinos is how safe and secure the site is. In Pennsylvania, it’s mandatory that all operators implement SSL security to encrypt their users’ connections to the site. This safeguards all players against hackers who may try to steal private information or financial details.

The fairness of games is another factor that you can easily check for yourself. Within each game’s setting menu, you’ll be able to find its return to player (RTP) rate. The higher this number is, the higher your chances of winning a return on your investment. The offering of reputable software providers guarantees that all games will be fair.

Another licensing requirement on PA online casinos is the use of responsible gambling mechanisms such as self-exclusion, self-limitations, and timers. These tools are effective at limiting the damage of problem gambling. Sites must also help vulnerable players get the support they need by offering links to responsible gambling organizations.

Casino Bonuses and Promotions

No matter where you choose to sign up, it’s always worth claiming a new player welcome bonus. These come in many shapes and sizes, with the most common being deposit matches and slot-free spins. Often, all you need to do is make a deposit to receive bonuses, though some may offer no-deposit bonuses.

Just keep in mind that your casino bonuses will have terms and conditions that must be read before claiming. These will detail important details such as the validity of your bonus, the wagering requirements, and any game restrictions. The best bonuses will offer low wagering requirements and long validities.

Payment Methods

One useful way to know that a casino is high-quality is by checking which payment methods it supports. If it facilitates payments with reputable providers, it indicates that it is trusted by major financial institutions that adhere to strict anti-fraud regulations. Common PA legal online casino payments include credit cards, e-Wallets, and bank transfers.

All payment methods will have their own characteristics that should be considered before making your first deposit and withdrawal. For example, while bank transfers have no fees, withdrawals can take up to ten days. Credit cards, on the other hand, are fast but may charge fees. We believe eWallets such as PayPal are the most convenient payment method.

Web Platform

There’s nothing more frustrating than using an online casino that is slow to load, unresponsive, and hard to navigate. Before you invest in a site, it’s worth taking a moment to trial the platform to ensure it feels right. Fortunately, there are several PA online casinos that offer well-categorized games catalogs on smooth, sleek, and high-performance platforms.

Mobile casinos

All of our top recommended sites offer a PA online casino app version of their desktop, meaning that you will always be able to play while on the go. You can download these on your iOS or Android devices, or simply access your PA mobile casino through the web browser for a similar experience.

When judging a site’s mobile casino, there are a few things that we look at. To begin, we ensure that it’s easy to navigate and responsive. We then ensure that the app offers a comprehensive gambling experience, including slots, table games, and live games. It’s integral that account functions such as transactions are also supported on mobile.

How to Create an Online Casino Account

Signing up for an online casino account is a simple process that should take no longer than 48 hours provided you have all the right documentation. Once you’ve chosen your ideal casino and bonus, it’s simply a matter of proving your identity and age and you’ll be good to go. You can follow our step-by-step guide below.

1. Click to register on your chosen casino.
2. Provide your name, contact details, and address.
3. Submit legal documents to verify your age and identity.
4. Wait between 24 and 48 hours for verification.
5. Make your first deposit and claim your welcome bonus.

While you do not need to be a resident of Pennsylvania to create a casino account, you must be within state lines. You must also be over 21 years old to create an account. Fortunately, if you plan on accessing other platform features such as online sports betting and online poker, you won’t need to register for another account.

Land-Based Casinos in PA

Pennsylvania’s land-based gambling industry really came to life in 2004, after lawmakers passed Act 71. Also known as the Pennsylvania Racehorse Development and Gaming Act, this legislation effectively authorized 14 licenses for racetracks and other operators to establish slot parlors. With slot revenues taxed at a huge 55 percent, the state instantly saw the benefits.

In fact, in the first year alone, the state generated $750 million in taxes from slots. In 2010, another law was introduced to permit table games at PA casinos, opening the gates for the state to create a full-fledged gambling market. It is currently the second-largest state for generating gambling revenues after Nevada.

There are now 12 land-based gambling establishments in Pennsylvania. Six of these are huge gambling complexes with horserace tracks, whereas five are standalone casinos. The state permits up to three resort-style casinos with sports betting lounges, hotel accommodations, dining, and Vegas-style entertainment facilities. Two have been built, with a third still under consideration.

The largest casino in PA is the Parx Casino in Bensalem. The site offers 150,000 square feet of gaming space with more than 3,300 slots and 180 table games. The site also hosts a racetrack. If you’re looking for a casino resort-style stay, we recommend the Rivers Casino, which also offers a huge gaming floor and sportsbook.

Online Casinos and Land-Based Casinos Comparison

If you have never signed up for PA online casinos before, you may be wondering whether or not the experience is worthwhile compared to land-based casino gambling. The truth is that there are pros and cons to each option, though both offer an experience that can provide plenty of excitement.

Land-based casinos are certainly more social and offer a buzzing atmosphere. Furthermore, you will always be able to cash your winnings out instantaneously. Other perks include entertainment options and free food. However, low-budget players may not be able to afford the high table limits and slots can be less varied.

Online casinos, on the other hand, offer much more variety in slots. New games are released regularly, and the convenience of PA gambling sites is second-to-none, especially considering mobile gameplay. There are also regular bonuses. The biggest downsides are the withdrawals can take days and the experience is less immersive.

Conclusion

By the end of this guide, we hope it’s clear that there are plenty of great PA casino sites. All of our recommended operators offer a great selection of slots from some of the world’s best developers, including high-payout progressive jackpots. Table games fans will be catered to well too, no matter their budgets.

All of our recommended PA online casinos have earned the appropriate licensing from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, so you can be certain that they are all safe and secure. Each is also compatible on mobile devices through dedicated casino apps. Be sure to use the links we’ve provided to claim generous welcome bonuses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have questions about Pennsylvania online casinos or how to find the best online casino legal in PA? In the following section, we’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions about PA online casinos so you don’t have to read the whole guide.