Pennsylvania Sports Betting – Is Sports Betting Legal In Pennsylvania?

There are 12 mobile sportsbooks in Pennsylvania:

• Bet365 Sportsbook: Founded in the U.K. in 2000, Bet365 is one of the biggest sportsbooks in the world with over 90 million customers. It launched in Pennsylvania in July 2024.
• BetMGM Sportsbook: BetMGM launched in Pennsylvania in December 2020 and has partnerships with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia 76ers.
• Caesars Sportsbook: Caesars stands out with its plentiful odds boosts, offering dozens to explore every day. It also makes live betting convenient with its “FireBets” feature.
• DraftKings Sportsbook: One of the biggest names in North American sports betting, DraftKings launched in Pennsylvania in November 2019. DraftKings is known for its extensive menu of prop bets and futures, along with its Parlay Builder tool that makes combining wagers easy.
• ESPN BET: One of the newer sportsbooks on the market, ESPN BET is run by the Worldwide Leader in Sports and has bets and specials based on the network’s personalities.
• FanDuel Sportsbook: The other big player in North American sports betting, FanDuel has a sleek, state-of-the-art interface that makes betting easy and smooth.
• Fanatics Sportsbook: Fanatics launched in 2023 after merging with PointsBet and provides a modern sports betting experience. It tailors the home page based on your betting history and features the industry’s best rewards program, providing FanCash for every bet.
• betPARX Sportsbook: BetParx launched in Pennsylvania in March 2022 and is known for its smooth interface as well as its online casino.
• BetRivers Sportsbook: Along with having physical sportsbooks in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, BetRivers has a partnership with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Its mobile app is simple and has a local flavor.
• Betway Sportsbook: Betway launched in Pennsylvania in June 2021 and has a mobile sportsbook known for its plethora of betting markets.
• PlaySugarHouse: The mobile sportsbook of SugarHouse Casino, PlaySugarHouse became the state’s first online sportsbook when it launched on May 31, 2019.
• Betfred Sportsbook: Based in the U.K., Betfred has expanded to the U.S. and is operational in several states, including Pennsylvania.

The legal betting age in Pennsylvania is 21, which is the case for almost every state with legal sports betting.

You can be 18 in Pennsylvania and participate in the lottery, horse betting, bingo and online casino gambling, but you need to be 21 to bet on sports and enter a physical brick-and-mortar casino.

Mobile sportsbooks confirm your age by asking you to present your personal information when you first sign up. If you’re under the age of 21, you won’t be able to register.

Between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has several prominent professional sports teams.

• Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers are one of the NBA’s oldest teams. They were founded in 1946 as the Syracuse Nationals of the NBL before joining the NBA three years later. In 1963, they relocated to Philadelphia to replace the Warriors, who had moved to San Francisco.

The Sixers have won three championships, including two since they moved to Philadelphia. The first came in 1967 with NBA superstar Wilt Chamberlain, while the second came in 1983 with Hall of Famers Moses Malone and Julius Erving.

Despite having talented players since then such as Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson and Joel Embiid, Philadelphia hasn’t been able to get back over the hump.

• Philadelphia Eagles

Known for their passionate fans, the Eagles were established in 1933 and won three championships before the AFL-NFL merger. However, it took them until the 2017 season to finally win a Super Bowl, when they upset Tom Brady and the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII.

The Eagles returned to the Super Bowl during the 2022 season and had a 10-point lead at halftime. However, they were unable to hold off Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half, losing 38-35 on a last-minute field goal.

• Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers joined the NHL in 1967 and became the first expansion team to win a Stanley Cup, winning back-to-back championships in 1974 and 1975.

The Flyers have been unable to replicate that early success, losing each of their last six Stanley Cup appearances. However, they’re still one of the most successful expansion franchises in NHL history.

• Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies were founded in 1883 and won their first World Series in 1980, making them the last pre-expansion team to win a World Series. The 1980 team was led by Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton, who helped Philadelphia prevail over the Kansas City Royals in six games.

The Phillies won a second title in 2008 with a core featuring fan favorites like Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley.

• Philadelphia Union

Founded in 2008, the Union joined MLS as an expansion team in 2010 and made their first playoff appearance a year later. The Union finished runner-up in the U.S. Open Cup in 2014, 2015 and 2018 before winning the Supporters’ Shield in 2020. They made it to the MLS Cup Final in 2022 but lost to Los Angeles FC.

• Pittsburgh Penguins

Founded in 1967, the Penguins have won five Stanley Cups, tied with the Edmonton Oilers for the most championships by a non-Original Six team.

They’ve won back-to-back championships twice, in 1991-92 and 2016-17. They’ve also rostered four Hart Memorial Trophy winners: Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

• Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates were established in 1881 and joined the National League in 1887. They played in the first World Series in 1903 (where they lost to the Boston Americans) and won their first World Series in 1909 thanks to the heroics of Honus Wagner — one of the best shortstops of all time.

The Pirates also won championships in 1925, 1960, 1971 and 1979. They’ve struggled since then, however, enduring 20 straight losing seasons from 1993 to 2012 and failing to reach the Fall Classic since 1979.

• Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers were founded in 1933 and have been one of the most successful franchises in NFL history. Their six Super Bowl championships are tied with the Patriots for most ever.

Four of those championships came during the team’s “Steel Curtain” era in the 1970s and early 1980s. The Steelers also won a pair of Super Bowls in the 2000s with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

In 1974, the Steelers became the first (and only) team to select five Hall of Famers in the same draft: Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, Donnie Shell and Mike Webster. Along with Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw, these players formed the core of Pittsburgh’s dynasty during the 1970s.

There are plenty of Division I teams for Pennsylvania residents to enjoy. Wagering on college sports is allowed in Pennsylvania, but betting on college prop bets is prohibited.

• Bucknell Bison

While the Bison play at the FCS level, they won the first Orange Bowl in 1935 with a 26-0 win over the Miami Hurricanes. They won their first conference championship in 1996 and have produced one Hall of Famer in Clarke Hinkle.

The Bison compete in the Patriot League in basketball and had their best season in 2005, upsetting No. 5 Kansas in the NCAA Tournament. Mike Muscala is the one player from the program to get drafted by the NBA.

• Drexel Dragons

The Dragons play in the Colonial Athletic Association and are one of six Division I basketball programs in the Philadelphia area. Their first season came in 1894 (making them the fifth-oldest college basketball program in the country) and they’ve appeared in five NCAA Tournaments, with their lone tournament win coming in 1995.

• Duquesne Dukes

The Dukes compete in the Northeast Conference in FCS in football and have won or shared 17 conference championships since 1995. They’ve qualified for the FCS playoffs three times, picking up their first FCS playoff win in 2018 with a 31-10 victory over Towson.

The Dukes’ men’s basketball team has appeared in six NCAA Tournaments and advanced to the Round of 32 in 2024, their first tournament appearance since 1977. They advanced to the Final Four in 1940.

• La Salle Explorers

Another team located in Philadelphia, the Explorers compete in the Atlantic 10 and won the men’s basketball National Championship in 1954. They finished runner-up the following year but haven’t made it past the Elite Eight since.

• Lafayette Leopards

One of the oldest college football teams in the country, the Leopards have won three national titles (1896, 1921, 1926). Lafayette was the first to use the huddle as well as the head harness – a precursor to a helmet. They played as an independent until 1986 when they joined the Patriot League.

On the hardwood, the Leopards have made it to four NCAA Tournaments but have yet to win a game. Their lone postseason win came in the NIT in 1972.

• Lehigh Mountain Hawks

While the Mountain Hawks currently compete at the FCS level, their lone championship came in 1977 at the Division II level. They reached the 1979 FCS National Championship Game but lost to Eastern Kentucky.

On the hardwood, Lehigh is best known for its performance in the 2012 NCAA Tournament, when it upset No. 2 Duke in the first round. That team was led by future NBA star CJ McCollum, the first and only Lehigh player to be drafted.

• Penn Quakers

The Quakers compete in the Ivy League and played their first game in 1876. They lost their only bowl game appearance (a 14-0 Rose Bowl loss to Oregon in 1916) and have rivalries with Cornell, Harvard and Princeton.

The Quakers men’s basketball team is best known for its success in the 1970s, making nine of 10 NCAA Tournaments in the decade. They reached the Final Four in 1979 and also claim two pre-tournament championships in 1920 and 1921.

• Penn State Nittany Lions

One of the biggest names in college football, the Nittany Lions have won two national championships (1982 and 1986) and rank in the top 10 in all-time total wins in Division I. The Nittany Lions compete in the Big Ten and have bitter rivalries with Ohio State and Michigan.

While their men’s basketball team doesn’t have the same pedigree as the football team, it’s still had some success. The Nittany Lions won the NIT in 2009 and 2018 and have made 10 NCAA Tournaments.

• Pittsburgh Panthers

Located in downtown Pittsburgh, the Panthers have kept up with the city’s winning ways, claiming nine national titles and three conference titles. They play in the Atlantic Coast Conference and have produced NFL stars like Larry Fitzgerald, Dan Marino and James Conner.

On the hardwood, the Panthers’ best season came in 1941 when they reached the Final Four. They reached five Sweet Sixteens during the 2000s and have had 15 All-Americans.

• Saint Joseph’s Hawks

The pride of the Atlantic 10, the Hawks have made 21 NCAA Tournaments. Their best performance came in 1961 when they advanced to the Final Four, but it was later revoked by the NCAA. They had a perfect regular season in 2003-04 before advancing to the Elite Eight.

• Temple Owls

The Owls compete in the American Athletic Conference at the FBS level and play their home games at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles. They’ve won two conference championships and three division championships and have also produced one Pro Football Hall of Famer (Joe Klecko).

While the Owls have reached the NCAA Tournament over 30 times in their history, they’ve never appeared in a National Championship Game. They made it to the Final Four in 1956 and 1958 and last reached the Elite Eight in 2001.

• Villanova Wildcats

The Wildcats are in the Coastal Athletic Association in football and won their first (and only) FCS championship in 2009 with a victory over Montana in the National Championship Game. Prior to joining the FCS, they played in five bowl games, going 2-2-1.

The Wildcats have won three championships on the hardwood: 1985, 2016 and 2018. The win in 2016 produced one of the biggest moments in college basketball history when Kris Jenkins hit a buzzer-beater to beat North Carolina in the National Championship Game.