Ameristar Sports Betting App

Not all states have legalized the hobby, and many still need to review their options. Michigan sports betting, which only became legal in March of 2020. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed gambling bills passed by the state legislature legalizing Michigan online sports betting, online casinos, and poker. Elite Sportsbook (Web App) Sports Betting Apps Launching Soon Bet365. One of the largest online sportsbooks, boasting more than 45 million global customers, UK-based Bet365 is poised to enter the CO sports betting market through a partnership with Century Casinos, Inc., owners of Century Casino in Cripple Creek and Central City.

• Ameristar Sports Betting Vicksburg Ms
• Ameristar Casino Sportsbook App
• Ameristar Council Bluffs Sports Betting

Colorado sports betting is a thriving ecosystem with new entrants emerging all the time. There are 16 live online sportsbooks in Colorado at the time of this writing, and over a dozen more sportsbook licenses up for grabs. The Colorado Limited Gaming Commission still has plenty of room to grow Colorado’s sportsbook industry, which got an impressive start out of the gate in its first months in business.

Most of Colorado’s sportsbooks are either standalone companies or the result of casino partnerships. DraftKings, FanDuel, and William Hill are companies whose core businesses are sportsbooks. However, Colorado’s homegrown casinos want in on the red-hot sports betting industry, too. Many have either partnered with sportsbook companies or developed their own. BetMonarch is one such sportsbook app that’s wholly owned and developed by Monarch Casino. Another is Sky Ute SportsBook, the first tribal-run sportsbook to launch in the state.

Online sports betting has taken off like a rocket in Colorado. That may be because it’s the safest betting option in the social distancing age. However, Colorado’s online sportsbooks are competitive choices for bettors’ funds. Here’s everything bettors need to know about them.

**Some of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. All bonus and promotions have Terms & Conditions that apply. 21+ for legal online gambling sites. If you think you have a gambling problem, please call 1-800-522-4700.

The Best Colorado Sports Betting Sites & Bonus Offers

• William Hill >> Claim $500 Free Bet With $250 Deposit
• BetRivers >> Claim 100% Deposit Match Bonus Up To $250
• FanDuel Sportsbook >> Claim A $1000 Risk-Free Bet
• PointsBet >> Claim $2000 In Two Risk-Free Bets With Bonus Code BIGBONUS
• DraftKings Sportsbook >> Claim 20% Deposit Match Bonus Up To $1000

Colorado Online Sports Betting Sites For February 2021

Pro sports got off to a late start this year due to the pandemic, and Colorado has mostly reopened since the March stay-at-home orders were rescinded. But even the lack of professional sports and the pandemic couldn’t deter Colorado from opening its first legal sportsbooks on May 1, or the bettors from flocking the newly launched sites and apps.

The launch of online sports betting in Colorado took some navigating, as officials grappled with the fallout from coronavirus. At the time of launch, there were few sports to bet on, but the market has done very well in the first months, even with bettors at first confined to wagering mostly on golf or table tennis. Here are the online sportsbooks who’ve secured partnerships in Colorado so far.

In addition to our top recommendations above, these are all of the sports betting apps in Colorado that are licensed, regulated in Colorado, and available for download:

The Best Colorado Online Sportsbooks (Ranked By Our Editors)

Best For New Bettors

$500 Free On $250 Deposit

Available On: Web, iOS, Android

Best For New Bettors

William Hill Colorado

4.7

An international sports betting brand, William Hill is taking its top-notch reputation to the US sports betting industry. Currently available in almost a dozen states, they offer all domestic and international sports odds. William Hill offers a $500 free bet to new bettors who deposit $250 or more.

William Hill Colorado

Bonus: 100% up to $500 on deposit

Retail Partner: Eldorado Resorts (Caesars Entertainment)

UK-headquartered William Hill is one of the biggest and most widely available sportsbooks in the US. Partnered locally with Eldorado Resorts (now Caesars Entertainment), William Hill kiosks have been available in Black Hawk since July, but the app didn’t launch until Sept. 8. New sign-ups can get up to a $500 risk-free bet with our exclusive link.

Best Mobile App

20% Deposit Bonus Up To $1000

Available On: Web, iOS, Android

Best Mobile App

DraftKings Colorado

4.9

DraftKings is one of the top US sports betting brands after making its name in the Daily Fantasy Sports industry. They offer one of the best mobile apps, with a easy-to-use interface. The interface makes it easy for new bettors to find sports, odds, and to place a bet. They offer a deposit bonus up to $1,000.

DraftKings Sportsbook Colorado

Bonus: 20% up to $1000 on deposit

Retail Partner: Mardi Gras Casino

DraftKings Sportsbook is one of the top US brands in sports betting, and it’s open for business for sports bettors in Colorado. Its variety of sports and lines are almost unmatched, and it offers some unique betting opportunities like teasers and parlays. It also has frequent bonuses and promotions.

Best Deposit Bonus

100% Deposit Bonus Up To $250

Available On: Web, iOS, Android

Best Deposit Bonus

BetRivers Colorado

4.7

BetRivers makes it easy to start betting in Colorado. New bettors can claim a 100% deposit match bonus up to $250 with only a 1x playthrough. This makes BetRivers Colorado the perfect choice for more casual bettors. For more experienced bettors, check out the BetRivers jackpot parlay bet.

BetRivers Colorado

Bonus: 100% up to $250 on deposit

Retail Partner: J.P. McGills

BetRivers is owned by Rush Street Interactive, which makes iGaming platforms in addition to its sportsbook offering. One of BetRivers’ differentiators is its extensive rewards system, which start at the basic level but top off at the “luxury” rewards for higher-tier wagers.

Best Betting Experience

$1000 Risk Free Bet Offer

Available On: Web, iOS, Android

Best Betting Experience

FanDuel Colorado

4.9

Much like DraftKings, FanDue Sportsbook made its name on Daily Fantasy Sports but now offers online sports betting across the US. The FanDuel Colorado app is one of the strongest in the state, with all major sports and some minor events as well. The interface is easy to understand the sportsbooks offers competitive odds.

FanDuel Sportsbook Colorado

Bonus: $1000 Risk-Free Bet

Retail Partner: Golden Gates Casino

Once known only for fantasy sports, FanDuel Sportsbook is all grown up, serving CO sports bettors 24 hours a day. FanDuel Sportsbooks has lines on MLB, NFL, NHL, and NBA, along with all kinds of other sports and events, both niche and mainstream. It has bets on the spread, the moneyline, halves and quarters of select games, and the over/under, and offers highly competitive odds in the CO sports betting landscape.

Best For Experienced Bettors

$2,000 In Two Risk Free Bets

Available On: Web, iOS, Android

Best For Experienced Bettors

PointsBet Colorado

4.9

Australian sports betting brand, PointsBet, is one of the newest sportsbooks to launch in Colorado. Offering competitive lines on US and international sports, PointsBet offers a high-risk, high-reward options for experienced bettors in their PointsBetting system.

PointsBet Colorado

Retail Partner: Double Eagle Casino

Australian-owned PointsBet is a mobile gaming partner of Double Eagle Casino in Cripple Creek. PointsBet was one of the first sports wagering companies to announce its intentions to operate in Colorado and was awarded an online license on March 19. They finally launched their online sportsbook app in November 2020.

PointsBet offers a unique winnings boost if your team wins big, called PointsBetting, offering multipliers for winning wagers based on the number of points a team wins a game. PointsBet also has a partnership with Koenke Sports & Entertainment to be the exclusive gaming partner of the Avalanche, Nuggets, Colorado Mammoth, and the Pepsi Center itself.

All Colorado Sports Betting Sites

SportsBetting.com

Bonus: $150 deposit bonus

Retail Partner: Carousel Group (Johnny Nolon’s, Cripple Creek)

SportsBetting.com gives new players up to $150 dollar deposit bonus. New users who deposit $10+ will get 100% bet credit up to $150 dollars using our exclusive link right here.

BetMGM

Bonus: $600 Risk Free Bet Bonus

Retail Partner: Midnight Rose

MGM is a premier name in gambling and entertainment, and its sports betting app BetMGM is available to CO sports bettors. BetMGM currently operates in almost a dozen countries including Colorado.

BetMonarch

Retail Partner: Monarch Casino

Monarch Casino in Black Hawk launched BetMonarch in May 2020, the first fully in-house sportsbook in the state developed by a casino. It offers the sports and leagues you’d expect lines on, but it also has an advantage many other sportsbooks don’t: BetMonarch rewards points players accumulate through their play can earn free hotel stays, meals, and more.

FOX Bet

Retail Partner: Eldorado Resorts (Caesars Entertainment)

Fox Bet’s local gaming partner is the Lady Luck Casino in Black Hawk, owned by Eldorado Resorts, which recently acquired gaming giant Caesars Entertainment, as well as the Isle Casino. Fox Bet has some solid bonus offers, including a $1,000 sign-up bonus ($500 risk-free bet + 100% match bonus of up to $500). In addition to the standard slate of sports to bet on, Fox Bet offers a wide range of betting boost, which are riskier, but could be lucrative wagers for lucky bettors.

SBK Sportsbook

Retail Partner: Christmas Casino*

SBK Sportsbook by Smarkets has a different approach to setting odds from most sportsbooks. Rather than making its money tilting the odds in its favor, SBK charges a 2% commission on bettors’ net winnings. The odds are then created as a consensus is slowly reached among where bettors are putting their money. SBK is a bit light on welcome bonuses, but it does offer a refund of the first $20 in lost bets over multiple bets.

Sky Ute SportsBook

Retail Partner: Sky Ute Casino

The launch of Sky Ute SportsBook made a bit of history for Colorado sports betting as the first tribal-owned casino in the state to launch its own sportsbook. Being on tribal lands, Sky Ute isn’t beholden to Colorado state laws governing odds, so they say their lines are some of the best in the state. Bettors can fund an account and start betting with just $25.

Circa Sports

Retail Partner: Century Casinos

Circa Sports, a Las Vegas-based sports wagering operator, was the first partnership agreement struck by Century Casinos, which operates two eponymous casinos in Colorado, one in Black Hawk, the other in Cripple Creek. Circa Sports is partnered with the Cripple Creek location, so that’s where eventual Circa-branded kiosks and windows will most likely be located. Circa offers multiple deposit and withdraw options, and has some of the best odds on favorite to win bets of any CO sportsbook.

BetWildwood

Retail Partner: Wildwood Casino

Cripple Creek’s first retail sportsbook, Woody’s at Wildwood, was also the first self-launched app by a casino in Colorado’s southern gambling resort town. BetWildwood offers sports bettors moneyline and spread bets on a variety of sports, and has live in-game betting for many. There are numerous deposit/withdrawal options, and it offers new members a $50 free bet.

ELITE Sportsbook

Retail Partner: Red Dolly Casino

ELITE Sportsbook was the 11th sportsbook to launch in Colorado. Bettors can start placing wagers on its website or through the app right now. ELITE Sportsbook offers bettors a variety of prop bets and parlays, and promotions will be available, including a sign-up bonus worth up to $1,000 in free bets. The company says it will be the only sportsbook in the state to offer a progressive parlay.

theScore Bet

Retail Partner: Jacobs Entertainment

theScore bet is a popular sports betting platform that launched in Colorado in September through its partnership with Jacobs Entertainment, which owns and operates the Lodge Casino and Gilpin Casino, both in Black Hawk. theScore debuted in New Jersey in 2019, the first ever sportsbook launched by a North American Media company, Score Media.

Betfred

Retail Partner: Saratoga Casino

Betfred, a major player in the United Kingdom sports betting market, expanded into the US in 2020, with the first Betfred USA sportsbook opening at Iowa’s Grand Falls Casino. The brand’s second US location is Colorado. Saratoga Casino has partnered with Betfred USA for its sports betting platform. Betfred operates more than 1,500 locations in the UK. Betfred’s sportsbook was the very first retail window to open in Colorado, giving it a first-mover advantage.

Not-Yet-Launched Sportsbooks

Barstool Sports (Penn National Gaming)

Retail Partner: Ameristar Casino

Penn National, which operates the Ameristar Casino Black Hawk, has brought its Barstool Sports sportsbook brand to Colorado and soon will open branded retail sportsbook windows at Ameristar, the largest casino in the state. Ameristar soft-launched a self-branded sportsbook this summer, so bettors can place bets in person for now until the Barstool Sports app launches.

Twin River Worldwide Holdings

Two of the biggest names in mobile sports betting will come to Colorado via Twin River Worldwide Holdings, which has been awarded three master licenses from the CLGCC.

Twin River (operating as Premier Entertainment Black Hawk in Colorado), has announced partnerships with both FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook, the two companies leading the market so far in open mobile sports betting markets in the US.

Three Colorado land-based casinos (Golden Gates, Golden Gulch, and Mardi Gras) were purchased by Twin River in January, with the intent of using those properties in partnership with FanDuel and DraftKings to bring sports betting to Colorado.

Online Sports Betting Partnerships

Guide To Betting Online In Colorado

Although Colorado’s sportsbooks are each uniquely branded, there are similarities between each sportsbook. Here are a few things bettors can expect no matter where they wager.

Common Sportsbook Bonuses

When bettors create sportsbook accounts, they’re often offered welcome bonuses. These bonuses incentivize bettors to place wagers and continue placing bets long after the first one is settled. The most common bonuses in Colorado are deposit bonuses and risk-free bets.

Deposit bonuses usually require bettors to deposit funds into their accounts. (There are also deposit bonuses that award site credits upon signup, but they’re usually tiny–less than $50.) Most deposit bonuses will match bettor deposits at a certain rate. For example, Fox Bet has a 50% deposit rate. That means for every $2 bettors deposit, Fox Bet will give a bettor $1 in site credits. That allows bettors to deposit at their own pace and place larger bets with less risk.

However, these deposit bonuses usually max out at $250 to $500. Sportsbooks can’t award site credits indefinitely.

Many sportsbooks also offer risk-free bets. They’re bets that get refunded if bettors lose a bet. FanDuel offers a risk-free bet of up to $500. If a bettor’s first wager is $500 and it loses, then that bettor will get $500 back in site credits. However, the risk-free bet is only good for the first bet. So, a $50 that loses would only get $50 of site credits back. Risk-free bets are popular choices for sportsbooks to offer, but they don’t allow bettors to wager at their own paces like deposit bonuses.

Colorado Teams That Can And Can’t Be Bet On

There are many different sports to bet on, but Coloradans have their favorite teams. The Broncos will have lines available during the NFL season. They’ll have moneylines and point spreads ripe for enthusiastic betting. There are plenty of prop bets and futures that’ll be available on the Broncos, too.

A Colorado list of teams wouldn’t be complete without the other three main sports, though. The Colorado Rockies, Colorado Avalanche, and the Denver Nuggets are huge draws for sports fans across the state. All of them are fair game for sports betting, too.

College teams are fair game for certain types of bets, too. The Colorado Buffaloes are one of Colorado’s most popular teams, whether it’s CU’s football or basketball teams. Bettors will have the standard moneylines, spreads, and futures available as the professional teams offer.

However, Colorado sportsbooks won’t offer prop bets on college games. Colorado’s Division of Gaming prohibits prop bets on college games. It likely arises from a compromise with the NCAA, which is adamantly opposed to sports betting. Bettors shouldn’t be surprised when they don’t find sports betting on college teams.

What Is The Status Of Esports In Colorado?

Colorado not only allows esports betting. It also counts esports among its authorized sports catalog. The Division of Gaming’s rules stipulate that the Division will regulate sports and bets. That way, no one can make up a sport or bet that cons bettors out of their money. Sports matches must have clear, consistent rules to ensure bettors can understand how their wager will play out throughout the game. Bets must have similarly clear rules. Otherwise, sports betting wouldn’t be fair to bettors.

Sportsbooks Coming Soon To Colorado

There are two sportsbooks that are in other states but could come to Colorado next. The first one is Golden Nugget. It’s available in New Jersey, but it doesn’t have a partnership in Colorado yet. The second is Parx. It has an online casino and sportsbook in Pennsylvania, another prominent sports betting state.

However, the full list is anyone’s guess. There will likely be more than two dozen online sportsbooks in Colorado by the time everyone arrives.

Legal Vs Illegal Sports Betting In Colorado

Sports betting used to be an illegal activity in all but four states. Sports bettors’ only options were illegal sportsbooks and bookies. If there was a bookie or website that bettors created relationships with, it could be hard for some of them to leave. However, legal sports betting sites are superior to illegal sites.

Legal sportsbooks are required to have a cash reserve so it can pay their winning bets out. Think about what happens if an underdog with long odds comes through. A futures bet with +5,000 odds will drain a sportsbook’s cash reserve quickly. Licensed sportsbooks have a formula set by the Colorado Division of Gaming to determine how much cash to have on hand.

In contrast, local bookies may not have that kind of cash on hand. They could be collecting bets informally at the bar with a makeshift business. In that case, there’s nothing stopping them from pocketing bettor money. Even if they’re reliable, they may get stretched too thin and be unable to pay out winnings. If that happens, bettors have no legal recourse because betting with a bookie is illegal in Colorado. They’re stuck without their winnings.

The worst-case scenario is a bookie that works for a crime syndicate. Your bookie may be cool, but his employers may come after bettors who bet on credit and don’t repay their debts. Bettors in good standing may also fund human and drug trafficking unknowingly. Licensed sportsbooks’ transparency ensures bettors don’t fall into these traps.

How Do I Know Online Sportsbooks Are Fair?

Online sportsbooks aren’t all shady offshore websites. However, new bettors may struggle to tell the difference between the two. Here’s how bettors can know they’re betting at a legitimate company.

Who Regulates Legal Online Sportsbooks?

Ameristar Sports Betting Vicksburg Ms

The Colorado Division of Gaming regulates all the sportsbooks in Colorado. It’s a government agency that awards licenses, establishes rules, and enforces industry guidelines. The Division of Gaming also has resources for sports betting operators and customers alike, creating a transparent environment for all industry players.

Before sportsbooks are licensed, the Division of Gaming thoroughly examines each applicant. That includes financial statements, background checks, and a complete record of lawsuits the applicant was involved in. And if a sportsbook doesn’t pay out winnings, the Division of Gaming is a bettor’s next stop. It has processes in place to keep sports betting safe and fair across the board.

Why Should I Trust Online Sportsbooks?

Before they go live, online sportsbooks submit to a security audit. It ensures the sportsbook can protect sensitive bettor information. The sportsbook hires an independent auditor who submits her findings to the Division of Gaming. If the auditor finds areas of improvement, she’ll list them in the report as well.

The Division won’t award a license to a sportsbook that can’t protect its bettors’ information. Since bettors submit their banking information during registration, sportsbooks need top-notch security in place. Bettors can rest assured that by the time they place a wager, their sportsbook of choice is prepared to protect their data.

How Do I Get Paid If I Win?

Sportsbooks make transferring money in and out of the sportsbook account easy. They know no one wants to bet at a sportsbook that makes handling money a hassle. If bettors win, they’ll have cash moved into their sportsbook account. From there, it’s usually as easy as hitting ‘withdraw’ and moving money to their bank or PayPal account. There are other options too, but no one’s using 7-Eleven’s cash withdrawal option during a pandemic.

In short, bettors can get paid from the app. They just have to win, which is win. Best of luck to all the aspiring bettors out there!

Online Sports Betting FAQs

Online sports betting is new to Colorado, so bettors may have a few clouds of doubt about the industry. Here are some common questions we can clear up at the end.

Yes, you can register online and start betting anywhere in Colorado. You only need to be physically within the Colorado border to place wagers.

Moneylines, spreads, prop bets, and futures are legal on professional teams. However, Colorado bettors cannot place prop bets on college games. All bets are prohibited on high school games. (No one seriously thought DraftKings would have lines on their daughter’s softball game, did they?)

Yes. Because the Buffs are a PAC-12 team, college sports is a big draw in Colorado. And that’s before factoring in all their popular opponents. Everything besides prop bets is fair game on college sports.

Yes. Several sportsbooks have esports sections in their apps. If the pandemic shuts down major sports again, bettors may end up relying on the esports section to get their betting fixes. Counter Strike, anyone?

10%. The taxes largely go to water conservation projects in Colorado. Since Colorado shares water with seven other states, it’s a lot more than an environmentalist cause. It’s a precious resource that’s being funded by a portion of every bet.

Licensed Casinos and established sportsbook companies. Unless aspiring entrepreneurs have all the pieces of their business in place, they can’t complete the license. It wouldn’t be impossible for someone to start a sportsbook in Colorado. However, it would require a massive cash infusion upfront. The sports betting market is largely inaccessible to companies without a track record.

Yes. It was also one of the first sportsbooks to do so.

Pennsylvania officially became a sports betting state when the Commonwealth’s first retail sportsbook launched in 2018. Now you’ll find more than ten retail sportsbooks spread across the state.

Online sports betting debuted in 2019, ushering in a new era of mobile sports betting in the KeystoneState. The overwhelming majority of sports wagers in PA are now placed at the state’s more than ten legal online sportsbooks.

Below, you will find the essential details regarding online sports betting sites in Pennsylvania.

PA Online Sports Betting Apps

PA online sports betting expansion

Among the top PA sports betting apps are some of the biggest names in the game. FanDuel, in partnership with Valley Forge Casino, established itself as an early market leader.

DraftKings joined the market before the end of 2019, launching under Penn National’s Meadows Racetrack & Casino license.

Other heavy hitters with an online sportsbook in PA, along with their land-based partners include:

• BetRivers Sportsbook (Rivers Pittsburgh)
• Unibet Sportsbook (Mohegan Sun Pocono)
• Fox Bet Sportsbook (Mount Airy Casino Resort)
• Caesars Sportsbook (Harrah’s Philadelphia)
• Barstool Sportsbook (Hollywood Casino)
• BetMGM Sportsbook (Hollywood Casino Morgantown)

Online sports betting sites in Pennsylvania

PA sports betting sites offer mobile wagering via apps and online wagering through their respective websites.

Here is the full list of PA online sportsbooks and when they launched or are planning to:

• SugarHouse Sportsbook (Launched May 31, 2019)
• BetRivers Sportsbook (Launched June 27, 2019)
• Parx Sportsbook (Launched June 27, 2019)
• FanDuel Sportsbook PA (Valley Forge) (Launched July 22, 2019)
• Harrah’s Sportsbook (summer 2019)
• Fox Bet Sportsbook (August-September 2019)
• William Hill Sportsbook (fall 2019)
• DraftKings Sportsbook (2019)
• BetAmerica Sportsbook (2019)
• Unibet Sportsbook (2019)
• BetMGM Sportsbook (2020)
• Live! Philadelphia Hotel & Casino (2021)

PA sportsbook locations, partners, licensees

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) oversees all sports betting in the state, both retail and online.

Only PA casinos (and racinos) can get a license to do this. However, none have done it alone. Many choose to partner with software and sports betting services suppliers from around the world to launch retail and online sports betting operations in Pennsylvania.

Here’s a look at which operators have partnered with which on the launch of sports betting in Pennsylvania:

Here is a look at where each of the sportsbooks is located:

Benefits of legal online sports betting

Once you accept that Americans are already betting billions of dollars on sports every year, and that most of it is through illegal bookies and offshore online sportsbooks, it’s easy to see that there are several benefits to legalized sports betting.

For those who bet sports, legal sports betting offers a safer environment with increased consumer protections. Legal sports betting in Pennsylvania also means a boost to the local economy, new jobs, and a significant tax revenue stream for the state.

Regulated sports betting also slows the proliferation of illegal sports betting operators. Since it’s all above board and public, legal sports betting also means the integrity of sports across the country is better protected than ever before.

Top sports betting events, sports teams in PA

Pennsylvania doesn’t differ much from the rest of the country when it comes to major sports betting events.

The most-bet-on event in the country and in PA is the annual NCAA men’s basketball tournament. March Madness may get even more attention in PA because a local-Philadelphia team, the VillanovaWildcats, have become perennial contenders, winning the tourney in 2016 and 2018.

The SuperBowl is the second-biggest betting event in the US and PA. Of course, the Super Bowl’s popularity in Pennsylvania was at an all-time high in 2018 when the PhiladelphiaEagles won it. However, the NFL is also wildly popular in Pittsburgh where locals bleed the black and gold colors of the PittsburghSteelers.

Other local teams that draw a lot of betting interest in PA include:

• Penn State Nittany Lions (NCAA football)
• PittsburghPanthers (NCAA football)
• Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)
• PittsburghPirates (MLB)
• PhiladelphiaFlyers (NHL)
• PittsburghPenguins (NHL)
• Philadelphia76ers (NBA)

Other significant sporting events that draw a ton of betting action in PA include:

• World Series (MLB)
• NBA Finals
• Stanley Cup Playoffs (NHL)
• The Masters (PGA)
• Wimbledon
• College football playoffs
• Kentucky Derby/Triple Crown

Unfortunately, PA sportsbooks cannot accept wagers on non-sporting events like the NFL Draft or the AcademyAwards. For a PA sportsbook to take action on something, it must be directly tied to a sporting event.

PA sports betting FAQ

Are legal sports betting options live in Pennsylvania?

Yes, they are. Pennsylvania law allows for regulated sports betting at licensed PA casinos or on licensed sports betting apps run by PA casinos. Betting with offshore online sportsbooks and illegal bookies is still against the law, but there are now several legal sports betting options in Pennsylvania.

Who is eligible for a sports betting license?

The PGCB only grants licenses to run retail sportsbooks to existing PA casino license holders. That includes racetracks with casinos, otherwise known as racinos.

Is there legal online sports betting in Pennsylvania?

Yes, there is. Online sports betting launched in Pennsylvania when the first sports betting site went live on May 31, 2019. The state is now home to more than online sportsbooks.

What about mobile sports betting apps?

Pennsylvania online sportsbooks are available on desktop browsers (for use with a Geolocation plug-in) but most are also available in app form. The first step is downloading your favorite PA sports betting app for either iOS or Android.

What sports can I legally bet on?

You can bet on almost all US college and pro sports in PA. That means the big four US pro sports leagues: NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. Plus, most major NCAA-sanctioned college sports. There are even betting markets in PA for overseas sports action like European football, cricket, and rugby.

What colleges are excluded?

You can bet on all US college teams in PA. New Jersey restricts college sports betting to schools and games outside the state only. PA does not have such restrictions.

Are there other PA sports betting restrictions?

If it’s a sport, you can pretty much bet on it in PA. The only restriction is that the betting market must revolve around a sporting event. That means you cannot bet on non-sporting events like the Academy Awards or the NFL Draft. It also excludes Super Bowl props like the color of gatorade that will be dumped on the winning coach.

Who is eligible to place a sports bet in Pennsylvania?

As long as you are 21 or older and physically inside the state of Pennsylvania, you can place a sports bet online or live at a retail sportsbook. The lone exception is if you are in any way, shape, or form involved with the team or the league you wish to bet on.

How does an online sportsbook know that I’m actually inside PA when I place a wager?

Online sportsbooks in Pennsylvania employ geolocation software to make sure anyone placing a bet is inside PA at the time. There’s no getting around this law.

What types of sports betting does Pennsylvania support?

PA law allows for single-game wagering at licensed retail and online sportsbooks. That means all kinds of traditional bets are available on a variety of sporting events, including:

• Futures
• Moneylines
• Point spreads
• Totals (over/unders)
• Parlays
• Round robins
• Teasers
• Player, team, and game props
• Live, in-game betting

How much revenue does sports betting generate for Pennsylvania?

PA has established itself as the third-largest sports betting market, trailing only New Jersey and Nevada. PA sportsbooks surpassed $4 billion in total wagers (handle) before it turned two years old.

What are the tax rates on PA sports betting?

Online and retail sports betting in PA are taxed at 34% plus a 2% local share assessment. That means 36% of all sports betting revenue is going to the Commonwealth.

What about esports betting?

Because esports don’t fit the definition of a traditional sporting event, bettors can’t currently bet on esports in PA. That said, PA lawmakers have discussed the possibility and could legalize esports betting sometime in the future.

What about daily fantasy sports?

PA began regulating daily fantasy sports (DFS) in May 2018. That means it’s legal to play DFS at licensed PA fantasy sports operators.

Ameristar Casino Sportsbook App

History of PA sports betting

Pennsylvania was one of several states that legalized sports betting pending a change in federal law prior to the US Supreme Court declaring the federal ban on sports betting unconstitutional in May 2018.

That was the only change in federal law PA needed to move ahead, and the PGCB was immediately tasked with producing regulations to govern sports betting in the Commonwealth.

The PGCB came up was the following plan:

• Allowing PA casinos to apply for a sports betting license giving them the right to operate online and retail wagering on sporting events approved by the board.
• Charging sports betting licensees a one-time fee of $10 million.
• Allowing each licensee a single online sports betting skin prominently featuring the name of the associated casino.
• Allowing licensees to launch supplemental retail sportsbooks at off-track betting and local satellite casino locations.

It took some time for the first to be submitted, but sports betting license applications began pouring in by August 2018.

The state’s first retail sportsbook

Hollywood Casino at Penn National was the first to apply and launched the state’s first retail sportsbook on Nov. 15, 2018.

Ameristar Council Bluffs Sports Betting

As other locations prepared to launch, on Dec. 7, Presque Isle Downs submitted a license application. Sportsbooks began opening at casinos across the state, and by the end of March 2019, Mount Airy and Mohegan Sun applied for licenses as well.

That left Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin and Sands Bethlehem. The tiny Lady Luck operation looked to be leaving sports betting to sister site Presque Isle Downs.

As for SandsBethlehem, it was going through a sale. That sale closed at the beginning of June 2019 with the property becoming Wind Creek Bethlehem. The new owners claimed they were moving ahead with the process of bringing sports betting to the casino.

Around the same time, the era of online PA sports betting was ushered in when SugarHouse began online app testing on May 28, 2019. By July 29, four online betting apps were up and running with more getting ready to launch.

That brings us to August 2019 with nine PA retail sportsbooks operational and four more to launch this year, and each to either run a PA sports betting app already or have plans to launch one soon.

PA sports betting law, regulations

Pennsylvania legalized sports betting, pending a change in federal law, as part of a comprehensive gambling expansion packageapproved in October 2017. That change in federal law came on May 14,2018, when the US Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) and upheld a 2014 New Jersey law aimed at allowing sports betting in casinos and racetracks in the Garden State by a vote of 6-3. PASPA is the law that made sports betting illegal everywhere except Nevada, and limited sports gambling in Delaware, Montana, and Oregon.

PASPA declared unconstitutional

In the written Supreme Court decision, JusticeSamuel Alito said PASPA infringed upon state sovereignty guaranteed in the US Constitution. He also said states should be able to make their own choices when it comes to sports gambling, opening the door to legalized and regulated sports betting across the country.

Of course, Pennsylvania is ahead of the curve on the issue, as one of just a handful of states that legalized sports betting pending a change in federal law prior to the release of the Supreme Court decision. That paved the way for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) to set up the regulatory framework for legalized sports betting inside the state.