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Visit: BetRivers and get a $250 deposit match

The BetRivers app is one of the most popular online sportsbooks in the US. A big reason for that is the simple fact that it’s available in most states with legal online sports betting. But with our BetRivers promo code, this app also offers one of the best bonuses in the industry.

The BetRivers app could be improved. In fact, the desktop version is a more reliable platform than the app itself.

Still, the odds are competitive, and they offer a large selection of bets. As a result, savvy sports bettors can get a lot out of cashing in on our BetRivers promo code. We rank the BetRivers App on a variety of factors, offering scores up to 10 points.

BetRivers Bonus Code & Promotional Offers (10/10)

Use the BetRivers Sportsbook promo code: 250Match to double your first deposit up to $250. Make sure to use the code along with our exclusive Betrivers link to unlock the bonus.

BetRivers offers a new player bonus offer of a 100% deposit match bonus up to $250. The wagering requirement is also 1x the deposit and bonus, meaning you just need to bet the full amount one time before you can withdraw. All bets with odds -200 or longer qualify for the wagering requirement.

The minimum qualifying deposit for this and most BetRivers Sportsbook promotions is $10. To receive the maximum bonus, you must deposit $250, and they’ll add an additional $250 in bonus money to your account.

The BetRivers Sportsbook promotions will vary a bit depending on the state. For example, they offered up to $500 in free bets when they launched in Iowa. But many times, the same BetRivers Sportsbook promo codes work in every state it’s available.

BetRivers also offers ongoing promotions and bet boosters to current bettors. For example, the NCAA men’s basketball “Profit Boost” promo increased win potential by 20% for all BetRivers members.

All real-money bets placed also contribute to the iRush Rewards loyalty ladder, where the more you wager, the better your BetRivers Sportsbook promotions become. The sportsbook also offers a BetRivers Refer-A-Friend program.

BetRivers Online Sportsbook Features (8.5/10)

The BetRivers Sportsbook betting markets encompass all major US professional and college sports as well as international competitions. For example, they’ll list bets for NCAA basketball, the NFL playoffs, and English Premier League soccer simultaneously.

You can also find motorsports, fighting sports, golf, tennis, cycling, and beyond. In some states, BetRivers will offer bets on the Olympics, but that’s illegal in others.

Really, the BetRivers sportsbook betting markets are limited only by state regulations. If a state allows prop bets on in-state college schools, BetRivers will make that bet available. If the state restricts that form of bet, you won’t find it on the BetRivers app specific to that state.

Live Stream Feature

BetRivers allows you to live stream several different events, which is particularly useful for local college games and international sports that may not be available via your regular television provider. Most of what’s available throughout the BetRivers Sportsbook betting markets are available for live stream, making for some great in-game betting excitement.

iRush Rewards

Whether you bet on one sport or across the different BetRivers Sportsbook betting markets, every real-money bet of $10 is a point added to your iRush Rewards progress.

You’ll see your iRush Rewards progress bar at the top of the app when you’re logged in. When you’ve reached 40 points, you get access to a selection of exclusive bonus offers, and the rewards improve from there.

If you reach the VIP level, you receive luxury gifts, invitations to events, and other special treatment.

House Specials

House Specials have their own section among the BetRivers Sportsbook betting markets, and they usually involve parlays and prop bets with enhanced odds. They’ll also offer special prop futures you can’t find anywhere else.

The House Specials feature at BetRivers is worth checking regularly.

Quality Of Odds Lines At BetRivers (9/10)

BetRivers offers lines that stack up to its competitors in most states. At the time of writing this BetRivers app review, the 2021 NFL playoffs were underway. Here’s how the points spread of two games compared across the legal sportsbook options:

You can see that the BetRivers lines are identical to what’s offered at DraftKings, and comparable to FanDuel and William Hill, although the latter too edged out their competition in this instance.

The reason points spreads aren’t double or nothing (+100) is because sportsbooks charge a “vig,” or a fee for taking bets. For the LA Rams vs. Green Bay Packers game, BetRivers and DraftKings charged a 4.94% vig while FanDuel and William Hill charged a 4.71% vig. That’s a margin of 0.23%.

However, for the Baltimore Ravens vs. the Buffalo Bills game, the half-point hook added to the DraftKings and BetRivers lines essentially puts the vig at 6.98% when you compare it to the lines at FanDuel and William Hill, which would be 4.76%. That means you’re paying 2.22% more with the DraftKings and BetRivers lines.

But the lines at BetRivers will often beat out FanDuel and William Hill, so it’s always smart to check the different online sportsbooks to find the best lines before placing a bet.

BetRivers Sportsbook App Design (6/10)

BetRivers iOS App

BetRivers mobile betting includes an iOS app in most states where it’s available. But there is no BetRivers iOS app for Indiana, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania. And in the states that do have the BetRivers mobile betting app for iOS, it’s rated poorly, with users complaining that the app quits unexpectedly and regularly freezes.

BetRivers needs to fix its iOS situation. In states that allow mobile betting apps, the vast majority of wagers are placed on mobile devices. And iOS devices are the most common.

BetRivers might be struggling because it needs to develop a new app in each state and can’t keep up with its staggering growth during 2020. They could fix this problem by offering a single app in every state. Regardless, there’s really no good excuse for this in 2021 and we are watching for them to approve.

BetRivers Android App

Thankfully for Android users, the BetRivers mobile betting experience is far better. BetRivers enters every state with an Android app ready to go, and you can download it directly on the website. Simply visit the BetRivers site specific to your state using your Android device, then follow the steps.

BetRivers Sportsbook Site

If most sports bettors preferred to wager on their desktop, BetRivers wouldn’t have a bad score in this category. In fact, the BetRivers mobile betting experience is good if you simply bet on the BetRivers website using the web browser app on your iOS.

It’s not ideal, but it’s a stable, reliable, and well-designed platform for iOS users.

Download Ease For BetRivers App (8.5/10)

BetRivers Android App

It’s easy to download the BetRivers Android app. Visit the BetRivers website for your specific state and download the app directly from there.

Google Play does not list gambling apps, so you’ll need to allow downloads from third-party sources to receive the BetRivers app.

BetRivers iOS App

When you visit the BetRivers website specific to your state, they’ll have a link to the iOS app at the bottom of the page if there’s one available. You can also search the App Store directly, but make sure to download your state’s BetRivers app. For example, “BetRivers Illinois” won’t let you wager unless you’re physically inside the state.

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Register With The BetRivers Promo Code

You can create an account, make a deposit, and utilize your BetRivers promo code in the same step-by-step process.

1. Click the “Join Now” button.
2. Create a screen name, enter your email, and create a strong, unique password.
3. Enter your exclusive BetRivers promo code from Gaming Today.
4. Add all the requested personal information, and make sure it matches your ID, as you may need to verify your identity.
5. Choose your preferred deposit method. Some states, like Iowa, restrict credit card payments. Others accept all types of deposits, including credit cards, PayPal, online bank transfer, and even cash at a partnering casino cage.

With cash and bonus money in your account, you can place any combination of bets as long as the odds are -200. Otherwise, it won’t contribute to the 1x wagering requirement tied to the BetRivers promo code.

To place a bet at BetRivers, click the line you like, then add the amount to your betslip. The app or website will automatically calculate how much you stand to win. Then submit the bet. (It’s even easier than it sounds.)

Availability Of The BetRivers App (9/10)

BetRivers Sportsbook Availability

The BetRivers Sportsbook website and Android app are available in the following states:

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• Indiana
• Iowa
• Michigan
• Pennsylvania
• Virginia
• New Jersey (as PlaySugarHouse)

If you’re set to the wrong state when you visit the site, use the dropdown on the upper left corner of the homepage to switch to your state. To wager at BetRivers, you must be within state lines. However, you can join, deposit, and cash out from anywhere in the country.

For sports bettors in the Garden State, BetRivers New Jersey is reskinned as PlaySugarHouse. But despite the different name, it is the same platform.

The most recent additions to that list are BetRivers Iowa, BetRivers Michigan, and BetRivers Virginia, each of which launched in January 2021.

BetRivers iOS App

BetRivers Colorado and BetRivers Illinois offer an iOS app. The BetRivers Iowa sportsbook app needs too much work, and we strongly suggest playing the browser version instead.

BetRivers Pennsylvania, BetRivers Michigan, and BetRivers Indiana do not have iOS apps. Neither does PaySugarHouse New Jersey.

So while BetRivers is technically available in PA, NJ, and IN, it’s inaccessible if you exclusively bet via iOS apps. A web browser is the best option for access in these states.

Is BetRivers More Available Than Most Sportsbooks?

BetRivers is among the most available sportsbooks in the US. BetRivers Colorado and BetRivers Indiana stay highly popular despite such competitive markets. BetRivers was the first sports betting app to launch in Illinois and still remains popular with Illinois bettors.

The lack of an iOS app also hasn’t stopped BetRivers Pennsylvania and PlaySugarHouse New Jersey from doing extremely well, and those are the two biggest sports betting states after Nevada.

The only online sportsbooks available in as many or more states than BetRivers include:

• FanDuel
• DraftKings
• William Hill

If you’re in a state with online sports betting, there’s a good chance that most or all of these options are available. For example, BetRivers Pennsylvania, BetRivers Indiana, and BetRivers Iowa share a state with all of the above.

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But the comparable brands are a small portion of the total number of legal online sportsbooks in the US. Even big brand names like Caesars Sportsbook, FOX Bet, and Barstool Sportsbook are only available in a small number of states.

BetRivers Sportsbook App Overall (8.5/10)

A careful review of the Rivers Casino sportsbook app revealed a solid option for sports bettors, with competitive odds and a deposit match bonus offer with a 1x wagering requirement.

However, our BetRivers Sportsbook review identified a few areas where this platform falls short, particularly their lack of a reliably available iOS app.

So, if you’re willing to take the great with the mediocre, you can have a highly enjoyable experience with the Rivers Casino sportsbook app.

Why You’ll Like It:

• Best welcome bonus in US sports betting
• Great terms and conditions on bonuses
• Competitive odds

What Could Be Improved:

• iOS app is either unavailable or low-quality
• Uncreative features
• Different app for every state

BetRivers App General Review

Deposit And Withdrawal

BetRivers offers different banking methods depending on the state. As an example, BetRivers Illinois offers the following deposit options:

• Credit/Debit Card, the easiest and most popular option, especially if the information is saved to your device.
• Online Banking (ACH), where you log in to your banking account directly through the BetRivers app or website to transfer money to and from your sportsbook account.
• PayPal, which you need to use for deposits if you want to also use it for withdrawals, according to BetRivers policy.
• PayNearMe Locations, such as Walgreens, CVS, and 7Eleven.
• Cash at casino cage, which is usually a Rivers Casino location.
• BetRivers Play+ Card, a web wallet offered by BetRivers.

For withdrawal methods, the options get a bit more limited, as you can’t use PayNearMe or credit and debit cards. At BetRivers Pennsylvania, you can cash out using:

• Online Banking (ACH)
• Cash at casino cage
• PayPal, but BetRivers only allows this as a withdrawal method if it was used for deposits.
• BetRivers Play+ Card
• Check by mail, which may take up to two weeks to get to you.

BetRivers Customer Support

BetRivers offers great online chat support that you can utilize even before making an account. Just make sure to specify which state you’re contacting about using the dropdown. This is available via mobile app and through the website.

For less urgent matters, you can also send them an email.

BetRivers Licensing

Here’s how the BetRivers Sportsbook is positioned across the United States:

• BetRivers Colorado is licensed by the Division of Gaming through a partnership with McGills Hotel and Casino in Cripple Creek, where you can also visit the retail BetRivers Sportsbook and bet in-person.
• BetRivers Illinois is the Rivers Casino sports betting app, which is licensed through the Illinois Gaming Board and located in Des Plaines.
• BetRivers Indiana is licensed by the Indiana Gaming Commission through a partnership with French Lick Resort, which has its own retail sportsbook separate from BetRivers.
• BetRivers Iowa launched on January 1, 2021, the moment the in-person registration requirement expired in the state. You can also bet in-person at Rivers Casino in Riverside, and both the retail and online BetRivers are licensed by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
• BetRivers Michigan launched in January 2021 as an online sportsbook and casino with the approval of the Michigan Gaming Control Board, and a retail BetRivers sportsbook is located at Little River Casino Resort.
• BetRivers Pennsylvania and PlaySugarHouse Pennsylvania (essentially the same) are licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to offer both casino games and sports betting, as well as a retail sportsbook inside Rivers Casino Pittsburgh and Rivers Casino Philadelphia.
• BetRivers New Jersey is actually PlaySugarHouse New Jersey, but you can expect the same welcome bonus, iRush Rewards program, and even the same odds. It’s licensed through the Division of Gaming Enforcement.

BetRivers Sportsbook App FAQs

Yes. BetRivers is a legal online sportsbook available in seven states. These states are Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Pennsylvania as well as New Jersey as PlaySugarHouse. You must be physically located in one of these states to wager at BetRivers, and the app will not accept bets placed from unlicensed locations.

Yes, BetRivers offers an iOS app for three states. Through the App Store, you can download BetRivers Colorado, BetRivers Iowa, and BetRivers Illinois. All BetRivers iOS apps are poorly rated in the App Store, and some users find a better experience betting via web browser. It is likely that BetRivers will continue to launch its Apple iOS app in other states.

Yes. BetRivers offers an Android app in all states where the online sportsbook is available. Visit the BetRivers website, choose your state using the dropdown, and use the download link at the bottom of the page (if the site doesn’t automatically prompt you to download). The BetRivers online casino games are available on a separate Android app, which you can download from the Casino section. This casino app is only available in states with legal online casinos, such as Michigan.

Yes. The BetRivers Casino app is available exclusively for Android users and can be played in Pennsylvania and Michigan. The same app, reskinned as PlaySugarHouse Casino, is also available in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Bettors in those states can also bet on BetRivers (or PlaySugarHouse) online casino games using the web browser app on their computer or iOS device.

250MATCH. Use BetRivers promo code CODE and the sportsbook will match your first deposit by 100% up to $250. You can receive the promotion with a deposit as low as $10, and you can complete the 1x wagering requirement with any combination of bets as long as the odds are -200 or longer. That means points spread betting is fair game.

Yes. BetRivers is a legitimate online sportsbook that’s legally-licensed in a half dozen different states. In each state, they are licensed and regulated by a government agency. They will not accept bets from anyone located outside of their legal jurisdictions or bettors under the age of 21. The BetRivers app and website utilizes the latest SSL encryption security to ensure the utmost in user safety.

PA online casinos are up and running, and growing fast.

If you are 21 years or older and inside Pennsylvania state lines, you can now enjoy online slots, table games, and video poker from your desktop computer or mobile devices.

This page contains all the information you need to start playing at online casinos in PA.

Below is a guide to the games you can play for free and for realmoney at PA online casinos. After that, you’ll find information on apps, bonuses, safety, and geolocationtechnology.

Regulated casinos also include protection for problem gamblers, which we cover at the end of this page.

Best online casinos in Pennsylvania 2021

Real money and free online casino games in Pennsylvania

You can play most games at PA casinos online for fun. Playing games in demomode, or with play-money chips, allows you to find the titles you like before you gamble.

The only category of games that are notavailable for free play is live dealer table games. You can watch them, though you will not be able to wager on them – at least yet.

The current offerings on real money online casinos in PA are growing, and fast. Casino sites regularly add new games as they are approved by the PA Gaming Control Board (PGCB).

We offer an overview of how diverse these casino game categories are. Keep in mind that the most prominent New Jersey online casinos offer more than 600 titles.

Play PA online casino games for real money

The number of Pennsylvania online casinos is now in double-digits. All of the PA casino apps are available 24/7 and offer online slots, video poker, and table games such as roulette, blackjack, and baccarat. Use this table to compare the real money casinos in PA.

PA online slots

Slots are the biggest category of games for any online casino. You can expect to see over 200 games listed on some sites and you’ll need some way to sort the list of slot titles.

Firstly, casinos will feature their most popular games. You can use filters to search by, e.g., the number of reels, game developer, progressive jackpots, and so on.

If you enjoy live casino slots, then you will be able to play a lot of these online. You can search by name, or browse the listings for IGT, Bally, or another live slot studio.

Many online casinos feature classic games, e.g., Wheel of Fortune, Cleopatra, and WolfRun. You can also find traditional three-reel slots. Online slot studios like IGT created these.

When you browse the tiled graphics for slots to enjoy, you’ll see progressivejackpots listed underneath many of them. These pools can get massive, up to $1 million or more.

Table games at PA online casinos

Tablegames are a broad category, although it mostly covers all the casino games played on the greenfelt.

While most are card-based, dice and roulette wheels also fall under table games. Live dealer games are in this category; however, we will cover them separately.

This list is for the software-based versions:

• Blackjack: There are a lot of variations of basic blackjack rules. These include games with side bets, multi-hand games and entertaining variants like Blackjack Switch, Free Bet Blackjack, and Spanish 21.
• Roulette: You can bet your favorite numbers or try complex betting systems with online roulette. Where available, choose the European roulette wheel because the single zero reduces the house edge.
• Casino poker games: A lot of card-based table games use poker-hand rankings. Online casinos have Caribbean Stud, three-card poker, Ultimate Texas Hold ’em, Let It Ride, Pai Gow Poker, and Casino Hold ’em.
• Baccarat: Two of the three bets you can place in baccarat have a very low house edge. As long as you avoid the “tie” bet, this favorite among high rollers can be entertaining.
• Craps: With two betting phases and the chance to go on a hot streak as long as no 7s are rolled, craps is a lively live casino game. This appears at some online casinos, which gives you a chance to learn the complex bets.

Live dealer casinos in Pennsylvania

In other states, live dealer table games have become the go-to for many players and soon, they’ll be available in PA. With these, you’ll bet online although the action will be dealt in real-time from studios in PA live casinos. Bets will settle automatically.

Games available include blackjack (where you play on a seven-handed table), roulette, three-card poker, Casino Hold ’em, and baccarat.

Keep in mind, you need to act before the timer runs down in these games. Otherwise, your hand will be folded (or you’ll stand), depending on the game.

You can chat via text with the dealers and other players while you play. The added social element, plus the ability to watch the cards being dealt, make these increasingly popular games.

Video poker and novelty games

PA casinos allow you to play video poker games online. These include bonus poker and multi-hand variations, as well as traditional titles.

Pennsylvania online casino apps

There are pros and cons to online casino apps compared to mobile-friendly websites.

With apps, you often find only a limited number of game titles, along with account and cashier functionality. Compared to the hundreds of games you can play on your browser, this is a significant drawback.

On the positive side, having the graphics stored on your phone helps the games initialize faster. If you have ever had to wait for a bonus game to load on your mobile device after you hit it on a slot, you know how frustrating this can be.

Are the online casinos in Pennsylvania safe?

All online casinos in PA are licensed and under the jurisdiction of the PennsylvaniaGaming Control Board (PGCB).

Players are protected by know your customer (KYC) guidelines and responsible gaming laws. The games are tested for integrity and fairness. A complaint and dispute process is available if necessary.

When it comes to Pennsylvania online casinos, you really can’t get any safer.

The PGCB stated early in the licensing process that they have a deliberate, slow approach. This includes testing periods for new apps and websites. With the licenses for online casinos in Pennsylvania held by local live casinos and racetrack casinos, you’ll have trusted brand names behind each of the apps.

A major concern for players new to casino games is the fairness of the spins or deals. At regulated casinos, games are regularly audited and the expected return-to-player (RTP) percentages are published. While each game has a small edge in favor of the house, you can be sure that you are getting a fair shot at winning and it’s in line with the published figures.

Casino bonus offers in Pennsylvania

With a lot of real money online casinos opening in PA in quick succession, you can be sure they will be competing to attract new players.

This means 2021 is a perfect time to take advantage of their marketing budgets. Casino bonuses take four primary forms, and not every casino will offer them all. If not, the bonuses they do offer will need to be generous.

Here are the main types of casino bonuses:

• No-deposit welcome bonus: A popular way to attract new players is to offer free play for registering. This bonus is usually a small amount (between $10 and $25). You’ll need to wager it a number of times before you can withdraw it. These offers can start your casino bankroll, if you get lucky. If not, then you’ll have a chance to check out the real-money slot titles without any personal risk.
• Matched deposit bonuses: This is the most common form of a casino welcome bonus in PA. Your first deposit will be matched 100%, usually up to around $300, though sometimes much higher. You then get 30 to 60 days to meet the specified playthrough (wagering) requirements.
• Loyalty/comp point schemes: Some casinos will tie their online comp point schemes together with their live casino. Others have separate schemes, with complex tier systems unlocking progressively bigger bonuses. For high rollers, these loyalty schemes often have a VIP level, too.
• One-off promotions: How active a casino is with promos can make a big difference to your bankroll over time. These vary widely, and include double points deals, reload bonuses, promos linked to new games and free chips for sharing on social media.

While nothing is stopping you from taking up several casino bonuses, keep in mind that these are restricted to one per household for each casino. Many players have been tempted to sign up their entire family for a free-play offer only to find their accounts to be closed down quickly.

Licensed and legal PA casinos vs. offshore casinos

For many years, the only way to play online casino games in Pennsylvania was to risk your money at offshore casinos. While there were some limited legal options with sweepstakescasinos, the new legal PA internet casinos effectively remove the need to take this risk.

Offshore casinos are usually based in the Caribbean or Central America and their legal status is uncertain. While their host nation licenses them, they are not recognized or licensed by any US authority and our banks are legally obliged to block payments to them.

A greater concern is the lack of oversight and controls. Many offshore casinos have disappeared over the years, and many players have faced significant issues getting their winnings paid. If you have a dispute with an offshore casino, there is no industry body or organization to help you.

With PA casinos under the watchfuleye of the PGCB, they are licensed to accept conventional payment methods and thoroughly tested. There is no longer any reason to risk playing at an offshore site.

Geolocation and PA casinos

You will be able to access the PA online casinos fromanywhere. However, playing games for real money and making deposits can only be made within PA state lines.

Pennsylvania casinos will not allow real-money play if there is any doubt about your location. In New Jersey, this led to a lot of “falsenegatives.” Players who were on mobile devices near state borders were sometimes flagged as being outside of the state.

Fortunately, those initial problems were ironed out and geolocation technology is more reliable.

If you are using a VPN or proxyserver, you might still experience issues. Mobile users on 4G and close to the state border who experience problems can download additionalgeolocationsoftware in some cases.

Wi-Fi data is difficult to fake, and if you are not using a VPN, desktop players are unlikely to experience geolocation issues.

PA casinos eligible to offer online gambling in Pennsylvania

In total, there are 13 licensed casinos that can legally offer online casino games, including slots and blackjack.

• Harrah’s Philadelphia
• Hollywood Casino
• Meadows Casino
• Mohegan Sun Pocono
• Mount Airy Casino Resort
• Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
• Parx Casino
• Presque Isle Downs
• Rivers Casino Pittsburgh
• Rivers Casino Philadelphia (formerly SugarHouse Casino)
• Wind Creek Casino Resort (formerly Sands Bethlehem)
• Valley Forge Resort Casino
• Live! Casino Philadelphia

In the first month of 2020, FanDuel Casino, BetAmerica, and BetRivers Casino launched just before the Super Bowl. The long-awaited Caesars Online Casino in partnership with Harrah’s Philadelphia followed in April.

Rivers Philadelphia (Formerly SugarHouse Casino) was the first brick-and-mortar casino to offer two different online casino skins under its casino license: PlaySugarHouse and BetRivers. The latter is integrated with the Rivers Pittsburgh online sportsbook that carries the same BetRivers name. Rivers Casino Pittsburgh did not obtain an online casino license.

On May 1, 2020, DraftKings Online Casino went live, becoming the second interactive gaming site under the Hollywood Casino license. Meadows, DraftKings’ land-based partner for online sports betting, does not hold an online casino license. But both Meadows and Hollywood are owned by Penn National Gaming, which has a market-access deal with DraftKings.

FanDuel and DraftKings originally launched online casinos that were integrated with their sportsbooks. Now, both have stand-alone online casino apps live in PA.

In late July 2020, Wind Creek Bethlehem dove into the online betting scene, launching the Wind Creek online casino through a partnership with Pala Interactive. PlayLive! online casino followed in August, and BetMGM online casino and sportsbooks debuted in PA in December 2020.

Borgata online casino went live in PA, the first market for the brand outside of NJ, in February 2021 in partnership with Rivers Philadelphia.

Live Pennsylvania casinos

There are currently 14 licensed gambling properties in the state of Pennsylvania with the latest additions of Live! Pittsburgh and Live! Philadelphia.

According to PGCB, this includes 11 stand-alone and racetrack casinos (Category 1 and 2), two smaller resort casinos (Category 3), and one Category 4 “mini-casino” – Live! Casino Pittsburgh. These gaming establishments employ approximately 18,000 people and generate close to $1.4 billion in tax revenue annually.

Mini-casinos: The next phase of Pennsylvania casino development

As part of its gambling expansion law passed in October 2017, the state had the ability to issue up to tenCategory 4 licenses. These licenses allow for mini-casinos with 300-750 slots. A supplemental license costing $2.5 million allows these satellite casino properties to offer up to 30 table games as well.

The process for the issuance of mini-casino licensing involves a series of auctions. The preliminary auctions began in January 2018 and were limited only to the licensed Category 1 and 2 casinos. The first license went to Penn National, who spent $50.1 million to secure a location 50 miles south of its existing Hollywood Casino. During the first round of auctions, PGCB awarded five licenses.

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The PGCB ran a second round of auctions on Sept. 3, 2019 but there were no bidders. In Sept. 2020, the PGCB opened bidding for one license and Ira Lubertwon it for $10,000,101. He plans to build in Centre County, near State College, PA. In all, $124 million in license fees were raised.

Pennsylvania problem gambling support

A system for self-exclusion for problemgamblers is available at live casinos in Pennsylvania.

This program involves filling out some forms, providing a photo ID, and voluntarily requesting one-year, five-year or lifetime exclusion.

A list of excluded people is distributed to all live casinos. Then it is the casinos’ responsibility is to prevent those people from entering gaming areas.

Removal from this list (for the shorter periods) does not happen automatically. After the period expires, individuals must request their removal personally.

Online gambling prevents new challenges when it comes to the management of problem gambling. For the majority to enjoy safe gambling online, support systems need to be in place for players who experience issues.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Commission manages this support program.

Here is what legal Pennsylvania online casinos must provide:

• A prominentlink to their responsible gambling information page.
• Tools for time-out, self-exclusion and betting limits.
• A list of questions to assess whether you or someone you know has a gambling problem.
• Links to support organizations and therapists.

Support programs in the state include:

Overview of Pennsylvania’s casino industry

The Pennsylvania casino industry is relatively young. Casinos only became legal in 2004. Yet, in the dozen or so years in existence, the industry quickly became a powerhouse. Now it is the second-largest commercial casino industry in the country judging by gross revenue, trailing only Nevada.

Thanks to steep tax rates, Pennsylvania casinos actually generate more tax revenue for the state than Nevada does. That number has gotten even bigger thanks to the gambling expansion law passed in the fall of 2017.

Here is a look at the history of the Pennsylvania casino industry, starting with the latest news and moving back towards the casino industry’s more humble beginnings:

The year began on a high, but that soon changed as the spread of COVID-19 led to the shuttering of all retail casinos and racetracks in PA by mid-March. That meant furloughs for casino employees and falling casino stock prices.

Online sportsbooks were also hit hard, with most sports sidelined for a lengthy period of time.

On a positive note, three more online casinos joined the market before the Super Bowl. The FanDuel online casino made quite a splash, surging to highest handle and revenue earner after its first full month in February.

The long-awaited Caesars sportsbook went live on March 10 in partnership with Harrah’s Philadelphia, bringing the state’s online sports betting apps to a total of nine. The Caesars online casino followed on April 23, making it nine internet casinos too. An online poker room under the WSOP.com name is expected to follow.

On May 1, DraftKings added an online casino product to its established online sportbook. Its online casino product is under the Hollywood Casino license, while the DraftKings sportsbook partners with Penn’s other PA property, The Meadows. Both FanDuel and DraftKings later debuted standalone online casino apps in June and July, respectively.

Wind Creek launched its first online product with an online casino in late July, and Live! Casino brought PlayLive! online casino to PA in mid-August. Live! was the only casino to launch iGaming ahead of retail openings which followed in early 2021.

BetMGM also launched an online sportsbook and online casino in December 2020, the former in partnership with Hollywood Casino Morgantown and the latter under the Hollywood Casino at Penn National license.

Online wagering sparked and sportsbooks blossomed.

With sportsbooks, there were just three operations at the beginning of the year, and all were retail. By the end of the year, the Keystone State had 12 retail sportsbooks.

But eight online sportsbooks were also running by year’s end, with around 84% of all sports wagering done online. Taken together, sports betting took in more than a billion bucks in 2019.

Five online casino sites went live, the first ones launching in July, though a new Wire Act opinion likely slowed that market segment at the start.

And at long last, an online poker site finally launched. On Nov. 4, FOX Bet was joined by PokerStars Casino and PokerStars PA, making poker a reality in the Keystone State.

In October 2019, SugarHouse changed its name to Rivers Casino Philadelphia, but not before launching the first PA online sportsbook in May. PlaySugarHouse sportsbook and online casino still retain the SugarHouse name.

After a summer of bickering, the state legislature drafted a new version of the gambling expansion package, which both the House and Senate passed. Gov. Tom Wolf signed it into law on Monday, Oct. 30, 2018. The new law allows for a wide range of new gambling ventures, including:

• Online casinos
• Video gambling terminals (VGTs)
• Daily fantasy sports (DFS)
• Satellite casinos
• Sports betting

It also offered a new class of license eliminating the amenity fee in place at Valley Forge and Lady Luck Nemacolin. Valley Forge paid the fee immediately after the bill became law.

New licensing fees brought in more than $311 million for the state.

The PA Lottery launched several new games and created the online platform iLottery.

A US Supreme Court ruling allowed sports wagering to begin and nine of 12 properties immediately applied for licenses.

Total gambling revenue topped $3.4 billion.

Legislation which would legalize and regulate online gambling in Pennsylvania, and offer online gaming licenses to the state’s 12 casino properties first, was passed by the Senate. In June 2017 it was amended and passed by the House, sending it back to the Senate.

The law was approved at the end of October.

The law ushered in sportsbook wagering and video game terminals at truck stops, and a new category of “mini-casinos” was created. As part of the expansion, horse racing money from casino slot revenue was encumbered in a trust fund. The slot money was originally set aside as part of the deal which led to the 2004 approval of casinos.

Casinos set a revenue record of $3.227 billion.

Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin opened in July 2013.

Valley Forge Casino Resort opened its doors in March 2012 becoming the first Category 3 licensed casino in Pennsylvania.

After several ownership changes and failed financing plans with no construction to date, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board voted to revoke the Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia gaming license in December 2010.

SugarHouse Casino opened its first phase in Philadelphia in September 2010.

Pennsylvania passed a law in January 2010, authorizing table game operations at the state’s licensed racino, casino, and resort casino properties. The law also clarified the size and scope of gaming and other operations at the state’s three different categories of gaming licensees, including:

• Allowing up to 250 table games and 5,000 slot machines at Category 1 racino facilities
• Allowing 250 table games and 5,000 slot machines at Category 2 stand-alone casinos. These properties were also authorized to operate amenities including restaurants, spas, and entertainment options, but not hotels.
• Allowing up to 600 slot machines and 50 table games at Category 3 resort casinos. These gaming facilities can include attached hotels.

Parx Casino standalone gaming facility opened its doors in December .

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Rivers Casino opened in Pittsburgh, PA’s Chateau neighborhood along the Ohio River in September.

Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem opened on the Bethlehem Works development site in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in May 2009. Table games were added in July 2010. The property officially changed ownership to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in June 2019. The casino is now known as Wind Creek Bethlehem.

Hollywood Casino opened at Penn National racetrack in February 2008.

Mount Airy Casino Resort officially opened in the Poconos in November 2007, becoming the first Pennsylvania casino with lodging.

The Meadows Casino began as a temporary casino adjacent to the racetrack in Washington County, PA in June 2007. The permanent casino opened in 2009.

Presque Isle Downs casino and horse racing track near Erie, Pennsylvania opened in February 2007.

A slots parlor began operation at Harrah’s Philadelphia racetrack on the Chester waterfront. Table games went live at the property in 2010.

Parx Casino opened as a temporary gaming facility at the former Philadelphia Park racetrack in December 2006.

Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia is granted one of five stand-alone casino licenses for a soon-to-be-built property located along the Delaware River in South Philadelphia. The project fell apart, resulting in PGCB revoking the license in 2010.

Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs became the state’s first slot parlor after opening its doors in November 2006 at a harness track near Wilkes-Barre.

State lawmakers made a number of amendments to horse track security bill authorizing both the use of 61,000 slot machines at racetracks and other new casino locations across Pennsylvania. Lawmakers rushed the bill through the House and Senate over the Fourth of July weekend, then quickly became law before any real opposition to casino gambling had a chance to oppose it.

The bill ultimately authorized the issue of three separate categories of slot machine licenses. These included:

• Category 1 for existing racetracks.
• Category 2 for designated tourist areas, including two in Philadelphia and one in Pittsburgh.
• Category 3 for resorts.

Former Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell runs for Pennsylvania Governor. He wins on a campaign that includes support for the idea of allowing slot machines at racetracks in an effort to lower property taxes.

Under Then-Governor Tom Ridge the State Legislature came close to legalizing riverboat casinos. The state’s anti-gambling movement began to grow and Gov. Ridge said he would veto any gambling bill not approved by referendum. Eventually the entire idea was scrapped.

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A statewide survey found 48 percent of Pennsylvania residents supported legalized riverboat gambling and just 38 percent were opposed. However, Then-Governor Robert P. Casey claimed to be opposed to gambling and threatened to veto any gambling legislation passed in the state.

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First developed under Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode, and championed by mayoral successor Ed Rendell, a proposal to allow riverboat gambling in Philadelphia made it to the state legislature. The claim was it would create $25 million in new revenue for the city and 11,500 new jobs. However, the House of Representatives voted against it in November by a margin of 118-81.

Resorts Casino Hotel opened in Atlantic City, New Jersey, becoming the first legal casino in Atlantic City. Resorts and the rest of the Atlantic City Boardwalk is within 60 miles of Philadelphia. It quickly become evident that Pennsylvania residents are some of the budding Atlantic City casino industry’s best customers.