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We analyzed more than 130 new Casino sites to compile the list (with bonuses) to play at the best operators of 2020. At the end of our independent tests, the title of best new Casino in 2020 went. There are many online casinos available on the internet and therefore it becomes virtually impossible to distinguish between the best casinos to play, from the bogus ones. Here is a list of the top twenty online casinos. We are going to showcase to you everything you need to know about these casinos.
Honesty, security, licensing, reputation and safety, as we mentioned on our homepage, are the five areas where we intensively review potential US friendly sites before we consider them legitimate USA casinos.
Dictionary.com tells us that the word legitimate is defined as 'in accordance with established rules, principles, or standards'. And Thesaurus.com proclaims the words authentic, valid and legal as interchangeable with legitimate. We could not agree more, and the standards and principles with which we judge U.S.A. friendly online casinos and other gambling portals are very demanding.
The typical online gambler will click on the first casino they come across if it provides the wagering opportunity they are looking for. If they see a slot site and that is their favorite online casino activity, they sign up for the first website which offers them a decent bonus without even exploring what bonus qualifications are demanded.
The casual American online casino player honestly may not know what to look for that designates a website as a reputable USA casino or not. But our decades of experience online in the casino, poker, and sportsbook gambling community has given us a unique insight.
Bovada is easily one of the best USA online casino options in the industry. They were launched in late 2011, and operate exclusively for USA players. They operate under the licensing of their parent company, Bodog, who holds licenses in multiple jurisdictions.
Bovada has carefully implemented a sophisticated security profile that stems from using premium, industry-leading software as well as its own added efforts to increase security. Along with a very safe gaming environment, they offer players a generous $3000 casino welcome bonus, and access to their poker room, sportsbook, and racebook.
Not only does Bovada process cryptocurrency deposits and payouts such as Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash, but they also feature Zelle to Bitcoin that facilitates instant BTC purchases - which are perfect for first-time crypto users. Cryptocurrency is the safest and most reliable method for funding your online casino gaming and for getting same-day payouts of your winnings!
As we mention several times throughout our website, we feel Bovada reflects the best that the industry has to offer for US citizens. They are very reputable and an excellent choice for anyone who considers reputation and honesty as important factors.
Most Trusted And Secure USA Casinos For 2020
Top Rated Sites
| Casino/Rating | Bonus | USA Friendly | Visit/Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100% up to | ||
| 2 | 100% up to | ||
| 3 | 500% up to | ||
| 4 | 100% up to | ||
| 5 | 200% up to | ||
| 6 | 200% up to | ||
| 7 | 300% up to | ||
| 8 | 250% up to | ||
| 9 | 200% up to | ||
| 10 | 100% up to | ||
| 11 | 400% up to | ||
| 12 | 400% up to | ||
| 13 | 150% up to | ||
| 14 | 400% up to | ||
| 15 | 400% up to | ||
| 16 | 100% up to | ||
| 17 | 400% up to | ||
| 18 | 200% up to | ||
| 18 | 450% up to |
Identifying Safe Online USA Casinos
Hey, we are not sticks in the mud who simply look at the technical side of online casinos. We were born and raised, and live, in the United States, and enjoy wonderful graphics, realistic 3-D video and live casino dealer entertainment as much as the next person.
We just believe that we should identify honest U.S.A. casinos before we fall in love with a particular site's visual and audio experience, and interface. And you may not care where a particular website is licensed, but we do.
We understand which gaming authorities or more particular about offering licensing than others, so we know which ones deliver an immediate sign of legitimacy.
As far as identifying safe USA casinos where you do not have to spend any time worrying about falling prey to a shady operation or predatory behavior, if you locate a couple of things, your safety is guaranteed.
- Does a particular website have their random number generator tested frequently by an independent third party?
- What type of SSL security and data encryption is employed to keep your personal information and financial transactions safe?
- Does this particular website support players from the United States while also offering a leader in online casino gaming software, like RTG?
These are the questions one must ask about particular online gambling operators before you can declare them reputable USA casinos and open an account. By the way, we know these are dull topics to consider. But if you enjoy profits rather than losses, and want the best possible opportunity to enjoy a winning session every time you play, these things must be taken into account.
Over the years we have used these criteria to uncover the most legitimate USA casinos and sportsbooks online. As demanding and discerning gamblers both online and off, we stake our hard-earned reputation as leaders in the online gambling community on the websites we recommend below because we play there ourselves.
Characteristics of the Most Reputable Online Casinos that Accept USA Players
How can I find the most trusted online casinos? In order to be considered reputable and trusted - a casino must be more than just 'legal'. There are some key components that are deal breakers for us when identifying reputable online casinos. These elements speak to the ethics and competence of any brand, and all of our preferred casinos hit the mark!
Transparency - upfront about how they operate
Legitimacy - individually licensed or owned and operated by someone who is
Secure - utilizes sophisticated security technology profile to protect players
Software - reliable, secure, and feature-rich for a high-quality gaming experience
Payout Speed - same day payouts for Crypto and reasonable turnaround for other withdrawal options
Bonuses & Promotions - attractive offers with reasonable wagering requirements
Customer Support - accessible assistance when needed and robust help resources
Valid Associations - part of a respected network or group of industry brands
How We Rate United States Online Casinos - Our Process For Approving Reputable Casinos For American Players
Below you will see a breakdown of how we determine the legitimacy of any US online casino. We take this process very seriously, and complete it with a tenacity to arrive at the true nature of any online casino brand that players may consider playing at.
Our guide will evolve to include the good and the bad options that are out there waiting for you so that you know precisely which ones are the safe USA online casinos and which ones you should avoid at all costs. But for now, the sites we recommend above are the cream of the crop and each of the casinos gladly accepts USA players.
How Safe Is The Software At USA Casinos? - There are really only a few trusted gambling software platforms that support U.S. players. Having been very involved in the industry, we know which software brands are legitimate and which ones to stay far far away from.
All new brands that emerge undergo extreme scrutiny and examination from our team of online gambling professionals, hence we know a platform inside and out by the time it reaches the pages of this website. Each USA casino review that you find in our guide will address software safety.
We look at multiple components to determine the safety factor of any software solution, including:
- What built-in security features are present as far as SSL protocols and data encryption?
- How often the software brand undergoes independent third-party testing for fair gameplay and RNG technology compliance?
- What type of banking suite security and options are present?
If the software brand being used by a casino is legitimately secure and safe, then you're halfway there in finding a legit USA casino. As far as safe brands for American players, we recommend trying out legitimate RTG casinos, and we have several of them featured on this page.
Honest US Casinos
Honesty is a non-negotiable element that must be present at any online gambling site you consider doing business at. Even sites that use reputable gaming software are not guaranteed to be honest operations.
It takes first-hand experience to determine if an online casino is honest, and our goal is to save you the trouble of finding out the hard way when a brand lacks this critical quality.
Our team of online gambling professionals has evaluated each brand you see featured on our site, and has placed them in the honest or dishonest category. Rogue or dishonest brands that we include in our guide for the purpose of warning players will be clearly designated as such in our guide.
The honest USA online casinos you find here will carry a 5 star rating for legitimacy and will have a detailed explanation of why they were deemed as honest in the review we provide.
Casino Security For Americans
There are a couple of security features that absolutely must be present for any brand to be considered a legitimate casino. First, they must employ the most advanced SSL security, preferably to a level that exceeds industry standards. If they have received a 5-star rating from us, then the presence of this feature and its quality have been verified by our team.
Secondly, the most sophisticated data encryption technology must be utilized to ensure that your personal financial information is transmitted and stored in the safest and most secure way possible. This is the same type of security profile that you would find at a bank or financial institution.
Legal Casino License And Certification For United States Online Casinos
Licensing is one of the first things we look at when evaluating the legitimacy of any U.S.A. online casino. After all, if a gambling site doesn't hold the proper licensing and certifications, there's no point in going any further into the review process.
We require that all reputable USA online casinos featured here hold a license from a genuine governing authority, or are owned and operated by a parent company that holds legitimate licensing credentials, as well as compliance certifications from recognized third party regulatory associations.
On top of all that, we don't consider any brand as legitimate that doesn't subject their software and games to regular testing by third-party authorities to ensure that their RNG technology meets industry standards and that their games and software comply with fair gaming practices.
We will also list undesirable casino brands that try to sidestep this part of the operation so that you know to avoid them at all costs.
Casino Reputation - Identifying Reputable Online Casinos for USA Players
A casino's reputation tells a lot about a particular brand. It will reveal if a site delivers fast and efficient payouts to their players, if their customer support is satisfactory, and if you can trust their operation with your money.
Input from industry professionals and other players can really save you time and effort, as well as a substantial risk by learning from their bad experiences.
On the flip side, positive feedback can confirm that a brand can be trusted or one of the fastest paying online casinos in the industry. We have provided this type of expert input for you in our reviews, and it is based on personal experience as registered players and professional gamblers.
We consider our reputation to be on the line when players trust our recommendations, so we take our evaluations and reviews of these sites very very seriously.
Casino Safety
All of the elements of reviewing a particular USA casino will result in determining if the brand is safe or not. Honest USA online casinos put player safety first, and it will be evident in everything they do.
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While it may be inconvenient, if a gambling site does not want you to complete a document authorizing your credit card transactions, something is wrong. In other words, the sites which may seem to drive you nuts with hoops to jump through regarding deposits and withdrawals are very likely the ones who are taking your safety seriously.
You don't want to gamble at a site that takes your work for everything and doesn't require you to prove who you are. That is an identity thief's ideal environment.
You can be sure that we've evaluated the level of casino safety present with each gambling site we review, and we're more than happy to share our findings, good or bad to help inform players of the safest USA online casinos on the Web.
Debunking US Online Gambling Myths
There are some players who are under the impression that the UIGEA bill, also referenced to as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, has rendered all USA friendly gambling sites illegitimate by blocking Visa deposits accepted by online casinos. This is definitely not the case.
This piece of legislation only addresses the regulations surrounding how online gambling transactions are processed and does not make online gambling for players in the United States illegal. The law is focused on the gambling sites themselves and not the players. You can read more about this legislation here: UIGEA Bill of 2006.
Popular Casino Software Providers Used By US Friendly Online Casinos
With several types of online gambling available in Pennsylvania, picking a site can seem overwhelming. If you’re feeling unsure about where to go, you’ve come to the right place.
Below, you will find reviews for the best online casino and online sportsbook in Pennsylvania. We have carefully studied each site to determine what the strong suits are and, conversely, what things they need to improve.
We also discuss some of the challenges Pennsylvania’s online gambling market is facing.
With things changing almost daily, it can be challenging to keep up with online gambling news in the Keystone State. Hopefully, by reading through our information below, you can determine which sites best fit your online betting needs. Most importantly, you must be comfortable with the site and aren’t worried about anything beyond winning.
Best PA online gambling sites for 2020
Our best casino bonuses and offers
Online casinos offer bonuses to their patrons to promote loyalty for the site. This practice is especially true for new players; every online casino has an offer for those who register for the site.
Several online casinos are active in Pennsylvania. Here’s a rundown of what bonuses are available on the best sites right now:
Unibet Casino
Unibet online casino in PA is one of the top options in the state, with $10 free just for signing up and a 100% match of your deposit up to $500.
For the free money, use promo code UBCASINO10. For the deposit bonus, use promo code UBCASINO500.
The trusted brand from Europe is hoping to make a big splash in PA with the biggest library of games in the state.
Read ourUnibet PA online casino review
SugarHouse Casino
SugarHouse Casino offers new players a 100% deposit match on their first deposit. In other words, the site will match the player’s initial deposit dollar-for-dollar.
This bonus is good for up to $250. Best of all, PlaySugarHouse only requires a 1x playthrough on its bonus, so the money is quite easy to release. SugarHouse is the best PA casino when it comes to bonus offers.
All a new player needs to do is use promo code 250MATCH when he or she makes a deposit. This deposit bonus is likely the best available in Pennsylvania right now.
Read our Sugarhouse PA Casino review
Hollywood Casino
At first glance, Hollywood online casino’s bonus seems rather meager in comparison to the other two casinos. After all, $25 is not much compared to hundreds of dollars. However, this $25 does not require a deposit. It’s absolutely free.
All new players must do is register on the site. There’s no need to enter any promo code or other activity. As a result, the registrant will find $25 waiting for them.
Best of all, there’s only a 1x playthrough requirement. So, wager through the $25 once, and it’s ready for withdrawals.
Read our Hollywood Casino review
PA online casinos partnership tracker
The table below shows the Pennsylvania casinos that have applied for licenses. You can see their expected technology partners, and whether they have an additional online sports betting license.
| Casino | Online partners | Online Casino launch projection |
|---|---|---|
| Hollywood (Penn National) | N/A | Launched July 2019 |
| Parx | GAN | Launched July 2019 |
| Rivers Philadelphia | Rush Street Interactive / Kambi | Launched July 2019 (PlaySugarHouse) |
| PokerStars Casino | 888 / PokerStars | Launched Nov. 2019 |
| Unibet | Kindred | Launched Nov. 2019 |
| FanDuel Casino | IGT / GAN | Launched Jan. 2020 |
| Presque Isle Downs | BetAmerica | Launched Jan. 2020 |
| Rivers Philadelphia | Rush Street Interactive / Kambi | Launched Jan. 2020 (BetRivers) |
| Harrah's | Scientific Games / 888 (Caesars) | Launched April 2020 |
| Wind Creek Casino | Pala Interactive | Launched July 2020 |
| Live! Casino | GAN | Launched Aug. 2020 |
| Barstool Casino | Penn National | 2020 |
| Hollywood (Penn National) | BetMGM | Launched Dec. 2020 |
| Golden Nugget NJ | NYX | Application pending |
Best sportsbook bonuses and offers
Here’s a look at our welcome bonuses offers:
SugarHouse Sportsbook
SugarHouse Sportsbook was the first online sportsbook to open its doors in Pennsylvania. So, fittingly, the book has a great dollar-for-dollar welcome bonus.
New players at SugarHouse will receive a 100% match on their first deposit. All they have to do is enter promo code 250MATCH when entering their banking details.
Best of all, this match is good for deposits of up to $250. There’s only a 1x playthrough requirement, so it’s quite simple to release. Few bonuses are as good as this one in Pennsylvania right now.
Read our Sugarhouse Sportsbook review
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers’ online sportsbook does have a bonus that rivals SugarHouse’s deposit match. In fact, it’s the same.
Thanks to its shared corporate ownership, BetRivers and SugarHouse are sister sites. So, the two books are going to function as mirrors in many cases, including bonus offers.
Naturally, that means that BetRivers players can also receive a 100% match on their first deposits. This match extends up to $250.
New players must use the promo code 250MATCH to activate the bonus when they make that first investment. The 1x playthrough requirement is about as minimal as those restrictions get, so it should be no problem to recover a significant portion of free money from BetRivers.
Read our BetRivers Sportsbook review
FanDuel Sportsbook
To casual fans, FanDuel might seem like a strange addition to the sports betting landscape. However, the daily fantasy sports giant has become quite a force in online sports betting in the past few years.
So, Pennsylvanians can get a taste of what all the fuss is. New accounts at FanDuel online sportsbook will receive a risk-free bet of up to $500.
New FanDuel players don’t need a promo code to activate this deal. They simply must join FanDuel here and make their first wager.
There is a 1x playthrough requirement on the bonus, which means players must make another bet of equal size to release the funds.
Essentially, players are receiving two bets for the price of one. Still, that’s a great deal for most, mainly if one of them happens to win.
As an added bonus, there is also a FanDuel Casino integrated within the PA FanDuel sports betting app.
Read our Fanduel PA Sportsbook review
Full list of sportsbooks and partnerships
| Online sportsbook | Casino | Retail sportsbook launch | Online sportsbook launch |
|---|---|---|---|
| PlaySugarHouse | Rivers Casino Philadelphia | Dec. 15, 2018 | Launched May 2019 |
| BetRivers | Rivers Casino Pittsburgh | Dec. 15, 2018 | Launched June 2019 |
| Parx | Parx Casino Sportsbook | Jan. 10, 2019 | Launched June 2019 |
| FanDuel | Valley Forge Casino | March 13, 2019 | Launched July 2019 |
| Kambi/Hollywood | Hollywood Casino at Penn National | Nov. 17, 2018 | 2020 (Barstool Sportsbook) |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Harrah's Philadelphia | Jan. 24, 2019 | Launched March, 20020 |
| BetAmerica | Presque Isle Downs Casino | July 26, 2019 | Launched Dec. 2019 |
| Fox Bet | Mount Airy | Sept. 12, 2019 | Launched Sept. 2019 |
| Unibet | Mohegan Sun Pocono | Sept. 24, 2019 | Launched Nov. 2019 |
| DraftKings | The Meadows | Oct. 7, 2019 | Launched Nov. 2019 |
| N/A | Oaks Race & Sportsbook (Now Closed) | March 14, 2019 (permanently closed in July, 2020) | N/A |
| N/A | South Philadelphia Turf Club | Jan. 17, 2019 | N/A |
| N/A | The Downs at Lehigh Valley | Jan. 2020 (Unibet Sportbook) | N/A |
| Betfred Sportsbook | Wind Creek Casino | 2020 | 2020 |
| Live! Sportsbook | Live! Casino Philadelphia (2021) | 2021 | 2020 |
Many of these online sports betting offerings will eventually be tied to a PA online casino site. For example, Harrah’s will likely roll everything into its single Caesars Online Casino product. PlaySugarHouse offers a shared account between casino and sports betting as well.
The lone exception is if you are an iPhone user. Changes to the Apple app store guidelines make these shared apps difficult, so you might see a sports betting app before you get a real-money online casino app in the lineup. And there is a chance they will remain separate.
What’s legal and illegal for online sports betting?
Few newly legalized activities come without rules and exceptions to their legality. Pennsylvania’s online sports betting is no different.
The good news is that Pennsylvania residents and visitors can wager on any professional, collegiate or international sporting events. The only requirements are:
- Be at least 21 years or older
- Be physically within Pennsylvania state lines
- Wager on an approved, regulated Pennsylvania site
However, the betting must occur on sporting events.
So, non-sports events, such as the Academy Awards or political elections, are not permitted for betting.
Finally, people who are intrinsically involved with a particular sport cannot wager upon it. So, players, officials, coaches, and other sports personnel cannot place bets on their own sports.
Concerning online casinos, most people can play without any restriction. Adults who are at least 21 years old are more than welcome to take part.
However, there is absolutely no online casino play allowed across state lines. The sites use geolocation software to monitor every player’s physical location. You must enable this function on your mobile device or you won’t be allowed to play.
The other exception is people who have placed themselves on the self-exclusion list. There is a separate self-exclusion list in Pennsylvania specifically for online play. Unfortunately, gambling addiction is a real problem, and online casinos are careful not to exacerbate the issue for people who are in recovery.
PA casino apps
With Pennsylvania moving into the online casino space, there are a few points about using these programs that bear mention.
First and foremost, it’s important to know that each casino app will figure out what device you’re using automatically. So, whether you use a laptop or a mobile device, the app will size the casino to fit your screen.
For the most part, every online casino has a browser version that will always work on desktops and some phones.
With that said, many casinos have a dedicated app specific to mobile use. If you are a mobile user, you may find the app to provide a smoother experience.
The mobile apps may also have greater functionality than the browser version. However, the game selection on the app can be smaller because some games don’t translate to mobile.
Finally, no matter which platform you use, you will have to go through some steps for the app to work.
Apple users should be aware all PA casinos or sportsbooks have a native iOS app.
Android users can play on all of the casinos in Pennsylvania but they will need to download the app from the casino website. The Google Play store does not support the distribution of gambling apps.
What online casino games are available in PA casinos?
Online casinos feature many of the same games that one might find in a land-based casino. Here are some of the types of games you may find at your favorite site.
Because of the laws requiring Pennsylvania-specific servers for any game providers to PA online casinos, the selection may not be what you are used to if you’ve ever played on a New Jersey online casino, for example.
Slots
The bread and butter for land-based casinos, slots, are the main focus for most online casinos too. An online slot is technically not a machine, but it functions identically otherwise.
A slot game will usually feature several rotating reels with various symbols drawn on them. The reels stop, and the player wins (or doesn’t) based upon the patterns the reels come to rest.
Many slots also feature bonus games or features that provide extra chances for players to win. Bonuses tend to be mini-games and have a higher chance of success than the slot game at large.
Each online casino in Pennsylvania offers a selection of games. That variety depends mostly on the deals each casino has with the game publishers.
So, the following is a list of the most popular slot developers and their games that are playable at the best PA online casinos:
NetEnt: At this time, all games on SugarHouse Casino are produced by NetEnt Games. NetEnt became an industry leader in the world of online slots by providing players with realistic games that replicated those in a Vegas casino. The list of games below includes the top games you will find at Pennsylvania online casinos.
- Blood Suckers II
- Dead or Alive
- Divine Fortune
- Drive: Multiplier Mayhem
- Gonzo’s Quest
Konami: Konami is a household name in the online casino industry. As of the time of writing, this slot developer is only available at select casinos and with only a handful of Konami slot games. Here is a list of games available at select PA casinos:
- African Diamond
- Ancient Dragon
- China Shores
- Full Moon Diamond
- Solstice Celebration
IGT: IGT is a massive global brand with more than 1,000 styles of slot machines in brick-and-mortar casinos and hundreds available online. But there is a limited number of IGT slots in Pennsylvania. This list includes the top games you’ll be able to find online.
- The Big Easy
- Cleopatra
- Crown of Egypt
- King of Atlantis
- Pixies of the Forest
Other game developers entering the Pennsylvania market include Incredible Technologies, Everi Gaming, GAN, H5G, and Slot Symphony.
Video poker
Video poker games are often lumped together with slots. The main difference is that players retain a certain measure of control over the way the game proceeds.
Video poker creates a virtual simulation of a typical five-card draw poker hand. The player receives five cards, can choose to hold as many as they like and then redraws.
The goal is to make a five-card hand that qualifies as a winner. Exactly which rank of hand is required to win varies from game to game.
Table games
Players who prefer a more tactile experience tend to stick to table games. These are games that use a virtual simulation of activities that involve playing cards, dice, balls, or prize wheels.
Blackjack
The most common table game is blackjack. This card game is a competition between the player and the dealer to see whose combination of cards can get closest to 21 in value.
The catch is that the player must act before the dealer and rely on incomplete information to do so. As a result, the casino retains a slight mathematical edge.
However, players can mitigate this edge by using basic strategy. Basic strategy is a widely published set of behaviors designed to play blackjack optimally.
Roulette
The second-most common table game is roulette.
This French version of the game is found in almost any casino with table games. In fact, PlaySugarHouse elected to launch three variants of roulette in its PA online casino before publishing any versions of blackjack.
Basically, roulette involves a randomly released ball falling into a spinning wheel with numbered slots. Players wager based upon which numbers they believe the ball will fall into.
When playing roulette, you will choose between European and American roulette. European roulette features only a single zero on the wheel and boasts better odds for the players. American roulette, on the other hand, features a 0 and a 00, worsening the odds for players.
There are a variety of choices and combinations of numbers that players can choose to bet. Roulette is a staple for casinos due to its pace of play and chance at incredible winnings. A correct bet on a single number will pay 35:1.
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Craps
Craps seems to be a bit less likely to appear in PA online casinos. The game itself, which plays with dice rolls, a large tub-like pit, and myriad ways to wager, is likely a challenge for programmers to realize in a virtual setting.
Nonetheless, craps is a dice-based game, which involves players attempting to roll certain numbers on a pair of dice. Players wager based upon the likelihood of various combinations appearing on the dice.
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The probability of those combinations often determines the prescribed payout for various wagers on the board. The casinos generate their profit margin by ensuring that the payout odds are worse than the event odds.
For example, a particular number may only have one chance in three of occurring, but a successful wager will only payout 2:1.
Other table games
Several table games are available from time to time at online casinos. These games are less common and, frankly, have a bigger house edge to them.
Nevertheless, they can be a fun option for someone looking for a change of pace. Some other table games include:
- Casino Hold ’em
- Caribbean Stud
- EZ Baccarat
- Let It Ride
- Pai Gow Poker
- Three-card poker
- Ultimate Texas Hold ’em
Live dealer games at PA casinos
People often speak about the “next big thing.” For online gambling in the US, live dealer games are that thing.
This style of online casino game has been nothing short of a revolution. It has propelled casinos in New Jersey to great heights. Live dealer games will come to a Pennsylvania online casinos as soon as the operators can get it off the ground.
Essentially, live dealer games are games dealt in real-time and broadcast live across the site. Real dealers run the games in an interactive studio located in or near the actual land-based casino itself. In fact, there are a few games conducted on the casino floor itself.
Players can place their bets, interact with the dealers, or even interact with one another. Some versions of live dealer games have even expanded to allow players to have multiple views of the game in action.
So far, the following games are available in a live dealer setting in New Jersey. Hopefully, they will appear in Pennsylvania soon:
- Baccarat
- Blackjack
- Casino Hold ’em
- Roulette
- Three-card poker
- Ultimate Texas Hold ’em
Stay on top of things with your favorite online site. Live dealer games are not something to miss.
More about PA’s legal online gambling industry
Online poker, online casino table games, and slots became legal in Pennsylvania as a part of a comprehensive gambling expansionpackagepassed by state legislators in October 2017.
The PGCB is providing regulatory oversight for the local online gambling industry. Casinos could get all three types of interactive gaming licenses at once for a $10 million licensing fee. The cost was $4 million each individually for slots, table games, and peer-to-peer games like poker.
There is no limit on the number of skins, or alternatively branded online gambling operations, that can operate under each licensee. However, regulations designed by the board stipulate branding for the skins must clearly identify the licensee. Plus, players can only create one account per licensee, not per skin.
Potential PA online casinos
According to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), there are 10 stand-alone and racetrack casinos and two smaller resort casinos operating inside the state. Plus, a 13th casino, Live! Philadelphia, is coming to the South Philadelphia Sports Complex area, home of Philadelphia’s professional sports teams.
All of these PA casino operations could have applied for online gambling operator licenses in the state beginning April 16, 2018. The properties had until July 16 to turn in applications for a $10 million comprehensive interactive gaming license. With this license, casinos can offer online poker, online slots, and online table games.
There were nine casinos which applied:
- Harrah’s Philadelphia
- Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
- Mount Airy Casino Resort
- Parx Casino
- Rivers Casino Pittsburgh
- Wind Creek (formerly Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem)
- Rivers Philadelphia (formerly SugarHouse Casino)
- Valley Forge Resort Casino
- Live! Philadelphia Casino (under development)
After applying, Rivers Casino Pittsburg eventually rescinded its application, electing to punt on online gambling. Stadium Casino, now called Live! Philadelphia, did something similar, opting to forgo an online poker license.
Meanwhile, both Presque Isle Downs and Mohegan Sun Pocono applied for a la carte licenses. Presque Isle opted to skip poker. Mohegan surprisingly signed up for all three at a cost of $2 million more than its competitors. However, like Rivers and Live!, it too abandoned its online poker plans.
That left 12 unclaimed interactive licenses. PGCB opened up a process for qualified gambling entities (QGE) from outside of Pennsylvania to claim them.
Only two groups applied. MGM Resorts has preliminary approval for all three categories of license. Golden Nugget Atlantic City can offer table games and slots, but no online poker.
These two major US gaming players will be among the last to launch online casino and sports betting products in PA. They will also be the only sites without a PA land-based casino partner.
Potential PA online poker sites
The first online poker site to go live in the state was PokerStars PA when it fully launched on Nov. 6, 2019. The global poker brand is offered in conjunction with its land-based counterpart Mount Airy Casino Resort.
Today, 10 of 12 Pennsylvania casinos have poker rooms. Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin and Valley Forge Casino Resort are the only casinos in the state that do not have poker rooms.
More than 220 live poker tables are operating across the state with the 10 rooms pulling in an average of $4 million in revenue every month.
Plans for Live! in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex area include opening a poker room when the facility opens its doors in early 2021.
In addition to Mount Airy, six more PA casinos plan to offer an online poker counterpart. Those that will launch an online poker room in Pennsylvania (MGM is applying as an out-of-state entity) include:
- Harrah’s Philadelphia
- Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
- Parx Casino
- Wind Creek Casino
- Rivers Casino Philadelphia
- Valley Forge Resort Casino
- MGM Resorts (QGE – no land-based partner)
PA online gambling site safety
PGCB will regulate all online gaming sites in the state. This is the same branch of the state government that regulates all land-based PA casinos.
Other important points regarding PA online gambling security
The regulations designed by PGCB will include several security measures specifically designed to:
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- Ensure player balances are held in a separate account from operating funds
- Force sites to implement a rigorous player verification process
- Prevents minors from gaining access
- Deal with problem gamblers
- Force sites to implement geolocation software making sure all players are within the state
- All deposits and withdrawals are processed securely