The Pennsylvania sports betting industry has grown into one of the biggest in the United States, and this market is not showing any signs of slowing down. Total sports betting handle has gone over $600 million in a month, which is the third-highest total for any state in the country.
Sports betting in Pennsylvania officially launched near the end of 2018 after becoming legal earlier that year. Retail sports betting options were the first to be offered, but online sports betting is now the most popular way to place a bet. See all Free Bets & Risk Free Bets
PA Retail Locations
There were two retail sports betting locations that launched in 2018, but several more have launched since that time. All of the casinos in Pennsylvania are eligible to apply for a sports betting license, and most of them have done so.
These retail casinos have partnered with a sports betting operator to get the industry up and running, and Kambi is the most common provider that has been chosen.
Here are the current retail sports betting locations in Pennsylvania:
- Harrah’s Philadelphia
- Hollywood Casino
- Meadows Racetrack and Casino
- Mohegan Sun
- Mount Airy
- Parx
- Presque Isle Downs
- South Philadelphia
- SugarHouse
- Valley Forge
PA Online Sportsbook Apps
Online sports betting accounts for more than 90 percent of all wagers placed most months, and Pennsylvania has been able to attract some of the top online sportsbook apps. There are some local online sportsbooks that have launched, and some of the top international options are available as well.
There is still room to add on additional online sportsbook apps, but here are some of the top options in March 2021.
- Barstool Sportsbook
- Bet America
- BetMGM PA
- BetRivers PA
- Caesars
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- FOX Bet
- Parx Sportsbook
- Unibet
- Caesars Sportsbook
Popular Teams in Pennsylvania
One of the many reasons that Pennsylvania sports betting has been so successful is due to the large number of professional teams in the state. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are the host cities of these teams, and there is also a great rivalry between the two cities and their teams.
NFL
The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles are two of the most storied franchises in the NFL, even though it has been the Steelers that have been more successful. Both teams have extremely passionate fan bases, and these teams have helped drive sports betting.
It also helps that there are retail sports betting locations near the home stadiums for both the Steelers and the Eagles.
MLB
In Major League Baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies are the two local teams. Both teams compete in the National League, but they are not in the same division.
Pittsburgh has a storied past, but that team has struggled to be successful in recent years. The Philadelphia Phillies have had plenty of recent success, and this team is extremely popular throughout the state.
NHL
Betting on the NHL is not that common, but there are two very popular teams in Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins have a bitter rivalry, and it’s always must-see hockey when these two teams take the ice against one another.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are the lone NBA team in the state of Pennsylvania and therefore are easily the most popular basketball team. Fans in Philadelphia are crazy when it comes to their teams, and the Sixers have had some terrific teams throughout franchise history.
College Teams
There are also a number of popular college teams in Pennsylvania, but state law prohibits betting on these teams. You actually aren’t allowed to make wagers on any college event that takes place in the state, so that restricts betting on some big events as well.