Pennsylvania has embraced gambling more than any other state. Several forms of wagering are legal in the state, including casino gaming and poker. PA was also the fourth state to legalize online poker and gambling. There is almost no doubt that, if they could, they would also authorize sportsbooks. This dream will likely become a reality in the near future, as the state has already started to write sports betting laws. Pennsylvanians from all over the Commonwealth are utilizing various forms of online gambling either to fill the gap left by the types of games that are not currently offered in the state or simply to avoid having to take a ride.
Pennsylvania enacted their first sports betting law in 2017. PA Act 42 is a comprehensive bill that permits the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to create sports betting regulations for licensed casinos. The law implements a $10 million licensing fee and a 34% tax rate. The provisions of the Act apply primarily to operators, which is why additional Pennsylvania sports betting laws are expected in the future. What the law does make clear is that sports betting has been legalized and will be offered in PA.
There are Pennsylvania casino gaming laws for legal Pennsylvania gambling for both land-based and online casino gaming. Online gambling was legalized by PA Act 42, and was a major move for the state’s casino industry. Under the law, licensed casino operators can apply for licenses to offer their games online. Operators are taxed 54% for online slots and 16% for table games. As with most gambling laws, these apply to businesses and not those playing the games. Your main takeaway should be that casino gaming is 100% legal in PA.
Pennsylvanians looking for a way to play poker will find that it is easy enough to access these games directly through the Internet. The state was one of the first to legalize internet poker, bringing residents real money poker online. Couple that with a lack of federal laws banning online poker and what you get is a relatively stress free gaming environment. You can choose to play at a local casino or visit an online poker room at your leisure.
A lottery has been established in the state of Pennsylvania, but there are various rules to playing. There is a 3, 4, 5, and 6 number game, as well as two multi state lotteries authorized by Pennsylvania. PowerBall and MegaMIllions alike are both available in Pennsylvania. The law dictates that you have to be 21 in order to play these games, else you will not be able to collect your winnings. Online lottery websites are generally not advisable. Find more about the legal gambling states here.