Legal online poker came to Pennsylvania in 2019 with the launch of PokerStars PA in partnership with Mount Airy Casino Resort. Pennsylvania is a promising online poker market with a population of nearly 13 million, but just one poker site has launched to date. 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. Other types of PA online casino bonuses VIP and loyalty program bonuses. Thankfully, bonus money does not stop flowing after initial welcome offers. Any online casino worth its salt knows that one of the best way to keep its customers happy is through loyalty programs and a consistent stream of valuable rewards.

Pennsylvania is home to several online casinos, which means that Pennsylvania is home to online casino bonuses. For players new to PA’s online gaming sites, numerous great opportunities are available. Notably, each online casino that is active in the state right now offers a deposit match of some sort. Some will even reward new players with free money.

Here’s a rundown on all things related to casino bonuses in the Keystone State.

Best online casino bonuses in Pennsylvania

Many of our bonuses are exclusive to PAOnlineCasino.com; they aren’t available anywhere else.

However, customers should read the fine print on any promotional offer. Almost all the PA online casino bonuses listed comes with some terms and conditions, and it can take some play before it’s possible to withdraw the extra funds.

How do no-deposit casino bonuses work?

A no-deposit casino bonus is one of online gambling’s sweetest things. It’s free money the site gives to players.

The way to receive these bonuses is simple. Potential players must register for an account on the site. That’s it.

The money will be waiting in the new account.

Terms and conditions for no-deposit bonuses

Like most bonuses; however, there are a few strings attached. To redeem a no-deposit bonus in PA fully, players must satisfy a few conditions. They are:

• New accounts only: Free money will only appear in the accounts of new registrants.
• Playthrough: To withdraw the free money, the casino may require players to wager through a multiple of the bonus amount. This multiple can range from 1x, meaning a player must only wager the amount of the bonus itself, to higher standards like 20x the bonus amount.
• Validation: The site may require a confirmation on a new player’s email before redeeming the bonus.
• Opt-in: Players may be required to visit the bonus section of the chosen site. Once there, they must tell the casino that they are electing to take part in the promotion, which is usually by clicking a button.
• Time limits: If the site requires players to redeem their free money, they may only have a certain amount of time after registering to do so. Alternatively, there may also be a limit to how long players can attempt to satisfy the playthrough requirement. In either case, funds not released by the deadline are forfeit and will return to the site.
• Eligible games: Not all games are created equal for online casinos in Pennsylvania. For reasons such as a better partnership deal or a larger profit share, an online casino may require that free money be played on designated games.

There is little reason to ignore or spurn a no-deposit online casino bonus in Pennsylvania.

Even if they are simply a ploy to get a player to try certain games, it’s still a good idea to take advantage.

How do deposit bonuses and match bonuses work?

While some online casinos may not offer no-deposit bonuses, deposit or match bonuses are nearly ubiquitous on every site.

In a match bonus, the player elects to deposit money onto the online casino. In return, the casino pledges to match a certain percentage of that deposit with funds of its own.

The percentage of each bonus can vary wildly. Some bonuses are only good for a 10% addition, while others will match the deposit, dollar-for-dollar.

Each bonus offer will also specify a maximum amount of bonus money that the site will pay out. So, it may take a bit of arithmetic to figure out how to maximize one’s bonus.

For example, let’s say that an online casino has a deposit bonus offer where it will match 25% of the deposit of up to $500. In other words, that $500 represents the site’s maximum contribution at a 25% level.

So, to receive the maximum amount of money, a player would need to deposit $2,000 into his or her wallet onsite.

However, as in all things, there are a few catches.

Terms and conditions for the welcome bonus offers

• Promotional code: Whether the player is new to the site or not, many deposit matches have a promo code associated with them. A player must enter these codes into a box that will appear on the site’s deposit page. Make sure to check promo codes for spelling and punctuation. The success of receiving one’s bonus money depends on the accurate submission of the deposit code on the form.
• Playthrough: As with no-deposit bonuses, most deposit bonuses have a playthrough requirement. Unlike their counterparts, however, playthrough requirements tend to be far more onerous to satisfy for match bonus offers. A player may be required to wager through tens of multiples of his or her bonus amount to redeem it. Depending on the game they favor, it’s not uncommon for players to encounter wagering requirements that exceed 100x.
• Validation: A player may need to validate his or her bank account prior to the site allowing a deposit. This process usually requires proof of identity, and the site may make a small representative deposit into an account to ascertain whether the player’s method of funding is aboveboard.
• Opt-in: Even if there isn’t a promo code available for the promotion, players may still need to opt-in. Once they are logged in, they are ready to deposit.
• Time limits: One of the toughest parts about deposit bonuses are the time limits. Even the most tedious of playthrough rates would be doable, given enough time. Unfortunately, Play PA sites are not going to allow a bonus to stay open-ended forever while the player satisfies the requirement. So, each bonus will come with a time limit. After it expires, any remaining bonus money will be forfeited back to the site.

Is it worth it to opt into a match bonus?

By this point, it may seem as though match bonuses are not worth the hassle.

After all, a large playthrough requirement and a short timeframe can mean that full redemption of the bonus is going to take some focused play on the customer’s part.

The short answer to whether or not a bonus is worth pursuing: it depends. There are so many variables at work that each bonus deserves its research.

Playthrough requirement math

First and foremost, consider the playthrough multiple. Casinos will often use a selection of multiples for each bonus, which is based upon the type of game that the customer wants to play.

It’s essential to look at what sort of return a player can expect while playing that type of game. For instance, a typical online slot machine will pay back 95% of the money wagered into it.

So, a player can expect to lose $5 for every $100 he or she wagers. Well, on the flip side, a 20x playthrough multiple means that the player will gain $5 for every $100 he or she wagers.

By that rationale, a 20x playthrough on slots is a breakeven proposition. Any bonuses that are 20x and below for slot play are, therefore, a worthwhile endeavor.

It’s possible, then, to calculate the breakeven multiple for most games.

Video poker games, for instance, returns 96% of wagers. So, the prospect of a $4 loss means that video poker bonuses are optimal when they are 25x or below.

Some table games, like blackjack, return more than 99% of wagers to players, provided that the player uses optimal strategy. So, a large playthrough requirement might not be out of order for games that are nearly even odds.

Bonus plus deposit playthrough requirements

There is one other thing to watch for in the fine print of these bonuses.

Specifically, you should look for whether the playthrough requirement is on the bonus amount alone, or if it is on the bonus and the deposit amount.

It’s a rather sneaky ploy, but some online casinos will attach the multiple to both the bonus funds and the deposited amount. So, it’s a way to double the playthrough requirement multiple without advertising it.

Which games are eligible to clear a bonus?

However, the closer a player gets to even odds, the less likely the game in question will count toward the bonus. So, players who only bets table games a certain way might find themselves shut out of using that game to redeem their bonus.

For instance, take the color bet on roulette. A bet on black or red carries a near 50/50 chance, the only source of the house advantage is the green zero space or spaces.

So, it’s common that a bonus might not allow those kinds of even money wagers to count toward the playthrough requirement. Players can still bet on other parts of the roulette wheel, but those kinds of bets are considered to be an exploit of the bonus.

Theoretical losses help determine which casino games are better for clearing bonuses

Theoretical losses refer to the average amount of money that you’ll lose based on the house edge. Given that every PA online casino game has a built-in house edge, understanding theoretical losses is essential for bankroll management purposes.

This is also helpful when deciding if you want to use slots or table games to unlock a welcome bonus. The example below compares theoretical losses between earning a bonus through slots and table games:

• You deposit $200 under a 100% match offer ($200 bonus)
• Wagering requirements on slots are 20x the bonus
• 20 x 200 = $4,000 must be wagered to earn your bonus
• You play a slot with 95% payback (5% house edge)
• 4,000 x 0.05 = $200 theoretical loss
• Wagering requirements on blackjack are 100x the bonus
• 100 x 200 = $20,000 must be wagered
• You play a blackjack game with a 1% house edge
• 20,000 x 0.01 = $200 theoretical loss

You can see from this example that higher wagering requirements don’t always equate to more losses. But table games and video poker can be less advantageous when wagering requirements are more than 100x.

We suggest running the math and comparing slots to other games before pursuing your bonus.

Time restrictions

Still, even with all of these requirements, it might seem as though a bonus is always worth pursuing. Even though it will take a while, the bonus will eventually release.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Most online casinos place a time limit on their bonuses.

Usually, players will only have about a week to complete the playthrough requirement to realize the value of the bonus fully. After that time, the bonus expires.

When considering whether to opt into a bonus, players need to be realistic about the volume of their usual or future play. If a player must wager $2,000 to clear the bonus and he or she bet in 50 cent increments, that means that he or she must bet 4,000 times to hit the mark.

As to how long that takes, it varies from player to player. If a player can spend every hour of the day playing, then it might be possible.

However, most of us have jobs and other responsibilities. So, a seven-day slot-a-thon isn’t feasible.

Bonus release interval

It’s important to note that redeeming a bonus is usually not an all-or-nothing proposition.

Otherwise, players would grind for their bonus amount and then forfeit everything if they came up a bit short on the playthrough requirement.

Instead, online casinos will often drip the bonus funds out of the account at a prescribed rate. So, the total amount of bonus may be, say, $100, but the site will pay it out to the customer in $5 increments.

However, these increments don’t have to be present or regular, either. Each bonus or each casino is going to have a policy for how it doles out the bonus money.

How do loyalty or comp point schemes work?

Another form of bonus in the online casino world is the loyalty program.

These programs or their perks are sometimes called “comps,” which is short for complimentary. The term is a fancy way of describing anything that the casinos give away for free.

Loyalty programs are usually a point system that rewards players for their activity. Players earn points based upon the game and dollars they’re betting onsite.

Obviously, the higher the bet amount, the more points the player earns. Games that carry a lower rate of return to the customer will also yield more points per play than others.

These points are redeemable for a whole range of perks, prizes and benefits. Patrons can exchange points for free meals, event tickets, or hotel stays at its land-based counterparts.

Loyalty programs tend to separate customers into different strata according to the number of points they earn. Players can get certain levels of attention or benefit, like preferential placement in line or exclusive events as they progress.

The player’s tier acts as an easy way for casino personnel to identify the revenue potential of their customers.

Like most things in a casino, comps are designed to promote more gambling from their patrons. True to form, some gamblers will identify the achievement of these perks as a primary objective of their play.

Nevertheless, most of them are free to join. A person who plans to play on a particular site may as well register for the program, since they will gain a benefit from the activity they planned to do, anyway.

Good vs. bad online wagering requirements

We reiterate that it’s wise to compare bonus terms and conditions between Pennsylvania online casinos. After all, you want to have the best chance of earning free money. But what constitutes good wagering requirements?

The standard for Pennsylvania match bonuses is 20x the bonus (or 10x bonus + deposit) on slots. This means that you can theoretically break even when earning your bonus through slots offering 95% payback. Playing games above this payout percentage gives you a strong chance to earn profits.

Finding wagering requirements between 10x and 15x is even better. A bonus with such requirements means that you can turn a profit when playing slots with 95% payback. And you’ll potentially earn a large profit on games that pay above this mark.

Anything higher than 20x playthrough is a bad deal in comparison to the market average. You should reconsider playing at a casino with 25x or 30x turnover, given that other PA gaming sites probably will offer better deals.

The standard for table games and video poker is 100x turnover. Such requirements are comparable to a slot with 95% payback regarding theoretical wins/losses.

Blackjack, craps, and roulette can sometimes offer even lower requirements worth around 50x. This is an incredible deal that gives you the chance to earn a nice profit.

Now, 200x playthrough requirements are on the opposite end of the spectrum in that you’re highly likely to lose money in the process of clearing the bonus. Such steep multipliers are common for Blackjack at some casinos.

Regulated online bonuses vs. US offshore casino bonuses

The high value of casino bonuses in regulated US markets can be seen when comparing them to the offshore casino bonuses offered to most Americans. An offshore internet casino is characterized by operating in unregulated markets. These sites are usually located in Caribbean countries with lax standards on internet gaming.

Offshore casinos typically impose 40x wagering requirements on a 100% match deposit bonus. This ensures that they make a theoretical profit off the average player.

Here’s a comparison between a regulated and an offshore casino deposit bonus:

• You deposit $300 at an offshore site with a 100% match bonus
• Wagering requirements are 40x the bonus
• 300 x 40 = $12,000 must be wagered
• You play slots with 95% payback.
• 12,000 x 0.05 = $600 theoretical loss
• 600 loss – 300 bonus = $300 net loss

• You deposit $300 at a PA internet casino with a 100% match bonus
• Wagering requirements are 20x the bonus
• 300 x 20 = $6,000 must be wagered
• You play slots with 95% payback.
• 6,000 x 0.05 = $300 theoretical loss
• 300 loss – 300 bonus = break even

Favorable wagering requirements are a major reason why Pennsylvania residents are lucky to be dealing with licensed casinos, rather than offshore sites.

PA online casino market snapshot

At present, three online casinos are up and running in the state of Pennsylvania. All three launched within a three-day period in July.

The three online casinos are available for bets in the Keystone State around the clock. They are:

Five more sites are expected to go live by the end of 2019. So, the following casinos should be available sometime in the next few months:

Of course, things can change, but it’s clear that the PA online casino market is only in its early stages. For bonus seekers, that’s a good thing because more competition means more casinos that are trying to impress with bonuses.

So, sit tight, and keep your eyes peeled. There should be a ton of free money floating around Pennsylvania soon.

Final thoughts

Players need to weigh all of these factors before they opt into a casino’s bonus offer.

It is entirely possible that the bonus is a good deal. In fact, many of them are since the casino wants to attract more business.

However, players must take a look in the mirror at the type of player they are. A casual player will have a more difficult time taking advantage of a deposit bonus than a serious one will.

Long story short, players should take each deposit bonus and read through its material before deciding. Otherwise, they may set themselves up for some frustration down the road.

Regulated Casino, Poker and Gambling Sites in Pennsylvania

PA online casinos are flourishing in 2021. Pennsylvania recently overtook New Jersey in terms of casino revenue – taking second place behind Nevada.

This guide covers everything you need to about online casinos in PA, gambling online and PA poker sites.

2020 is shaping up to be a busy year in the Keystone state, with close to a dozen gambling sites available. There are multiple sites to choose from in Pennsylvania, including, poker, casino and sports betting.

This guide walks you through the best PA casino apps, including bonus offers available and how to choose a site that works for you.

Best Online Casinos in PA

Here is what you’ll find in this detailed Pennsylvania online gambling guide:

• Legal Overview: Recent law changes and current news
• Online Casinos in PA: The partnerships we know about so far
• Sports Betting Sites in PA: Betting on sports online
• PA Poker Sites: Partnerships and the possibility of shared player pools
• What to Look for: What makes one online casino better than another?
• Gaming Options: Slots, table games, live dealer options and online poker are all covered here.
• PA Online Gambling FAQ: Everything players need to know before heading online
• The Road to Regulation in PA: History and timeline of the legislative efforts

Hollywood Casino Pa Online

PA Gambling Sites Overview: What’s New?

2021 will be a busy year for Pennsylvania. With both real money PA casinos and poker sites already online, you can expect new games, new promotions and new operators to expand in the Keystone State.

The initial licenses are awarded to holders of existing gaming licenses (brick and mortar casinos). A second batch awarded to ‘qualifying gaming organizations’ bringing increased choice for players further down the line.

Many big brand names including Scientific Games and PokerStars have already found partners – and have launched. While some live casinos declined to move online (for example Sands Bethlehem), other big names including Harrah’s Casino and Mohegan Sun are all posed to make this move.

Sports betting is live in PA live casinos, following New Jersey’s victory at the Supreme Court. Licenses have since been issued for a number of sites and many have launched in 2019 with more expected come 2020.

Slots are taxed differently to table games and poker in PA. With a 54% tax on gross gaming revenues, these games will not be as profitable for the casinos as in other states. This high tax rate also applies to slots at existing B&M casinos – and help make PA the state with the highest tax take from casinos, even beating out Nevada.

PA Online Casinos

Most of the license holders have formed technology partnerships already. Big international brands and equivalents gave some clues as to what players could expect with Pennsylvania online gambling sites. The first casino to go online was Sugarhouse, followed by Parx, BetRivers and Hollywood Casino.

Here is a list of online casinos in PA and known partnerships to date:

• BetAmerica – Presque Isle Downs
• BetRivers – Rivers Philadelphia
• BetMGM – Hollywood Casino
• Caesars Online Casino – Harrah’s Philadelphia
• DraftKings Casino – Hollywood Casino
• FanDuel Casino – Valley Forge
• PokerStars Casino – Mount Airy
• Unibet – Mohegan Sun Pocono
• SugarHouse Online Casino – SugarHouse

Pennsylvania Online Casino Bonus Guide

Online Gambling Casino Sites Pa

With the online casinos in PA open, players have a unique opportunity. The brands (and their partner land-based casinos) are keen to get a great start. This means bonuses and promotions for new players should be both generous and easy to come by.

You’ll find the best PA online casino bonus codes here along with some pointers of the types of bonus and promo deals to expect – and how to take advantage of each one.

• Free Play Bonuses: Over in New Jersey, all NJ online casinos offer new players free play on real money games without the need to deposit. This is money is placed in a bonus account – and can’t simply be withdrawn. You can keep what you win with it, subject to a play-through requirement (and at some casinos a deposit). PA internet casinos are also offering no deposit offers, however, its few and far between.
• Matched Welcome Bonuses: As well as showcasing games with free-play, Pennsylvania online casinos will be keen to encourage deposits. To do this, matched bonuses are on offer. A typical casino deal is 100% matched to your first deposit, up to $500 (sometimes more). You’ll then need to wager this bonus money a number of times before it can be withdrawn.
• Other Deposit Deals: Some casinos in Pennsylvania offer extras along with your deposit. This can be entry into a slot tournament, a free chip for live-dealer casino games or free slot spins.
• Reload Bonuses: You might need to top up your account at times, and casinos are keen that you stay with them instead of seeking a fresh welcome bonus elsewhere. You’ll find reload bonuses similar to your matched welcome offers, with a percentage match and play-through requirement. Remember to check for these if you decide to reload, that simple casino bonus code can make a big difference to your bankroll!
• Comp / Loyalty Schemes: These work in a similar way to schemes at live casinos. You get points based on your play. Instead of swapping them for drinks, you’ll get extra bonuses online instead.

One significant type of casino bonus you can expect from PA gambling sites is one-off and special promos. These can be tied to holidays, sporting events like the Super Bowl or sometimes just new slot games. A solid number of one-off promos shows that a casino is serious about looking after their regular players, and not just attracting new ones.

PA Sportsbooks & Online Betting Sites

At the time of writing, over half a dozen live casinos have applied for online sports betting licenses. Mid 2019 saw Sugar House become the first PA sports betting site, albeit with a soft-launch. Since then, Fanduel, FoxBet Bet Rivers and Unibet PA have launched.

The other casinos that launched PA sports betting sites in 2020 include:

1. BetMGM via Penn National – Coming 2021
2. Harrah’s via Caesar’s Sportsbook – Launched March of 2020
3. Hollywood Casino via Barstool Sportsbook – Launched September of 2020
4. Presque Isle via BetAmerica Sportsbook – Launched December of 2019
5. Valley Forge via FanDuel Sportsbook – Launched July of 2019
6. Meadowlands Race and Casino via DraftKings Sportsbook – Launched November of 2019
7. Mohegan Sun Pocono via Unibet Sportsbook – Launched November of 2019
8. Mount Airy Casino via Fox Bet Sportsbook – Launched September of 2019
9. Rivers Pittsburgh via BetRivers Sportsbook – Launched June of 2019

PA Online Poker Sites

Poker relies on a larger number of players to offer bigger prize tournaments and a wider choice of games / formats. It was assumed that a link-up would happen, though the recent reassessment of the opinion on the Wire Act has now bought this into question.

PA has a big enough population (12.8 million) to make online poker viable alone – though the benefits to players of the extended player pool would be considerable.

Giant brands including 888 and Party Poker PA are preparing to enter PA, while PokerStars PA has already launched.

PokerStars was the first online poker site in Pennsylvania to go live and is partnered with Mount Airy Casino.

Here are the rest of the sites and partnerships announced so far:

• Harrah’s:888 Poker
• Hollywood: IGT
• Parx: GAN / Kambi
• Valley Forge: Party Poker
• Sugar House: Rush Street Interactive

What to Look for with PA Online Gambling?

With so many options available, choosing the best PA online gambling site might not be easy. This section draws on years of casino, poker and sportsbook experience to bring you the key things to look out for before you sign-up.

For casino fans, the software, games, bonuses and live-dealer options all come into play. Casino site software has come on a long way since the big brands left the US back in 2006. This is now responsive to your screen size, with animations and 3D effects which will blow you away.

In the past, casinos required you download a software package onto your PC. These days, your choices are mostly browser-based – with some smartphone apps.

Instead of games from a single software provider, casinos curate their own choice of slots, table games and novelty titles. You’ll find games from giants like SG and IGT alongside titles from new and innovative software houses. I recommend you try out casinos (with free no-deposit money where possible) to find the game selection and software that you like best.

Poker fans will also have some choices to make. While a lot depends on whether player pools are shared or PA-only – there are differences between the games and formats each site offers. With poker, size matters. While you might prefer software on one site, if all the opponents (particularly the recreational ones) are playing elsewhere, then it makes sense to switch. As well as welcome bonuses, ongoing offers make a big difference to your bottom line in poker games. The best PA poker site will combine a lot of players, a great selection of games and regular reward.

Finally, sports bettors will know that the lines on offer at PA sports betting sites are more important than the software client. That is not to say bad sportsbook software should be tolerated! This area is one where having a choice of site (and the ability to shop for the best lines each time you bet) is more important than a long list of features or gimmicks.

What Casino Games Are Available to PA Residents?

The choice of slots online these days will come as a pleasant surprise to many new players. You can enjoy online versions of slots from live casinos (including many movie and TV show themed games). You will find the depth of game-play in online-only slot titles has significantly improved. Increased competition from smaller software houses, combined with classics from the likes of Bally, IGT and others will give you a huge choice.

If you prefer your slot play more traditional, then you’ll be happy to know 3-reel slots – which mimic the original mechanical machines – are also widely available. Many PA online slots have huge (million+) jackpots these days too.

Table games can be played via casino software, or with live dealer via a real-time video link. Live dealer games are hugely popular – adding a social element to online casino gambling. You’ll find plenty of options including blackjack, roulette, baccarat and casino poker variants. Software based table games give you even more choices including many innovative side-bets and rules variations.

Between table games and slots, you’ll already have 1000’s of games to choose from. Add in video poker, keno, scratch-cards and novelty games – and your choices get even better.

Other states with legal online gambling

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PA Online Gambling: The Road to Regulation

Like many East coast states, Horse Racing, and the gambling associated with them, were popular as far back as the 1830’s. A lottery and limited charity gambling options were all that was available for a long stretch – until 2004.

In that year ‘Act 71’ was passed, legalizing live casinos and betting at horse racing tracks. These forms of gambling would become a big source of income for the state coffers. High tax rates (particularly on slot and casino gaming), meant that more tax revenue came from gambling in PA than in any other state in 2018. This includes Nevada, where the revenues are higher – though tax rate is significantly lower.

On Oct. 25, 2017, the Pennsylvania Senate passed a comprehensive gaming expansion package that includes online gambling in the form of online poker, online slots, as well as online table games. The next day, the PA House passed the bill as well, making Pennsylvania the fourth state in the nation to authorize online gambling.

The package then went to Gov. Tom Wolf, who signed the bill on Oct. 30, 2017, officially cementing PA’s status as the fourth US state to legalize online gaming.

Pa Online Real Money Casinos

The legislation, H 271, permits a variety of other gambling expansions, including daily fantasy sports, sports betting both online and off (should the federal government repeal PASPA), video gaming terminals (VGTs) in authorized truck stops, and tablet gaming at qualified airport locations.

Now that Wolf signed the bill into law, it will likely be around nine months before the first legal online gambling sites launch in Pennsylvania. Regulations will need to be promulgated, licenses issued, sites tested, and so forth.

When legal NJ online gambling was passed, it was roughly nine months before sites went live.

Pennsylvania has surpassed their first year of online gambling and in that year they saw half a dozen sportsbooks go online, one poker site and four casinos. More are expected to rollout over the course of 2020.