TL;DR
Sports betting is fully legal and live in Pennsylvania as of 2026. Retail sportsbooks launched in November 2018. Statewide mobile betting followed not long after in 2019 after Pennsylvania activated its 2017 expansion law. Adults 21 and older can place bets through licensed mobile sportsbooks or at approved casino locations while physically located in the state. In addition to traditional sportsbooks, Pennsylvania players can also use sports prediction markets like Novig, which offer peer-to-peer trading with no built-in vig.
The Current State of Sports Betting in Pennsylvania
Sports betting is fully legal and operational across Pennsylvania. Lawmakers passed a major gaming expansion bill in 2017 that authorized sports betting if federal law changed. When the federal ban was struck down in 2018, Pennsylvania was ready. Retail sportsbooks began taking bets in November 2018, and mobile betting followed in 2019.
Since then, Pennsylvania has grown into one of the largest regulated sports betting markets in the country. The state consistently ranks near the top nationally in total betting handle. This massive market is overseen by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
How Sports Betting Became Legal in Pennsylvania
Early Legal Framework Before PASPA Was Repealed (2017)
Pennsylvania moved early after PASPA was repealed. In 2017, lawmakers passed a sweeping gaming expansion package, often referred to as Act 42, which included language authorizing sports betting if federal restrictions were lifted.
At the time, PASPA still prohibited state-regulated sports betting outside Nevada. The state purposely built its framework in advance so that when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down PASPA in May 2018, the state did not need to pass a new bill from scratch. That head start allowed Pennsylvania to launch faster than many other large states.
Retail Launch in 2018
After the federal ruling, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board finalized regulations and began approving casino operators. In November 2018, the first legal sports bets were placed at retail casino sportsbooks. Pennsylvania quickly became one of the largest and most active sports betting markets in the country. This traction set the stage for the initial rollout of mobile platforms.
Mobile Betting Expansion in 2019
In 2019, Pennsylvania approved and launched mobile sports betting tied to licensed casinos. Operators partnered with national sportsbook brands to bring apps to market statewide.
Once mobile betting went live, participation surged. Players no longer needed to visit a casino in-person. They could place wagers from anywhere inside Pennsylvania’s borders. This retail-plus-mobile structure remains in place through 2026.
What’s Legal to Bet on in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania allows a wide range of betting options through licensed operators. Both mobile and retail sportsbooks can offer bets statewide, subject to certain regulatory rules. A Pennsylvania bettor’s options include:
- Professional sports such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, and more
- College sports (with restrictions noted below)
- Moneylines, spreads, and totals
- Parlays and futures
- Live (in-game) betting
- Player and team prop bets
The betting menu closely resembles other major regulated states.
It’s important to note that college sports betting is allowed but with heavy guardrails. Users can bet on college game outcomes, however, betting on individual college athlete prop bets is prohibited. Wagering on high school sports is not allowed at all. These rules are designed to protect amateur athletes and preserve integrity.
Where You Can Place Bets in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania offers both mobile and retail betting. Understanding the difference helps players choose what fits their situation and strategy best.
Mobile sportsbooks: Licensed apps allow users to place bets anywhere within Pennsylvania, provided they are physically located inside state lines at the time of the wager. Location verification is required before bets are accepted.
Retail sportsbooks: In-person betting is available at approved casino properties throughout the state, including major locations like Parx Casino, Rivers Casino, and Hollywood Casino. These locations offer sportsbook counters and self-service kiosks.
Before placing a bet, users should confirm the platform is licensed and approved by Pennsylvania regulators. Operators are also required to provide responsible gambling tools, including deposit limits and self-exclusion programs.
What the Sportsbook Market Looks Like in Pennsylvania
Legalization created one of the largest and most competitive sportsbook markets in the country. Multiple national sportsbook brands operate in Pennsylvania under licenses issued by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. However, Pennsylvania also has one of the highest sports betting operator tax rates in the country at 36%. That tax structure directly impacts how sportsbooks operate and set their pricing structure.
While each operator offers different promotions and features, they all follow the same general sportsbook model. They all set their own lines and odds and build a house margin into each market. This built-in margin is how sportsbooks generate long-term revenue and offset licensing costs, taxes, and marketing expenses. Over time, that pricing structure is what allows the house to consistently win.
Why Novig Still Wins in Pennsylvania
Novig is a peer-to-peer sports prediction market, not a traditional sportsbook. Instead of acting as the house and setting odds with a built-in margin, Novig allows users to trade sports outcomes directly against one another. This structural difference changes how pricing works.
Traditional sportsbooks build their margin directly into the odds. In a high-tax state like Pennsylvania where operators pay a 36% tax rate, that built-in margin becomes even more important for sportsbooks and more expensive for players over time.
Since Novig does not function as a bookmaker, prices are formed by supply and demand between users. This means that users aren’t locked into standard sportsbook odds and there is no built-in vig on each trade.
For value-focused players, that difference compounds over time. No-vig pricing allows users to trade at more competitive odds and pricing that more closely reflect true probabilities.
What Pennsylvania Bettors Can Do Today
As of 2026, Pennsylvania offers a fully established and regulated sports betting market. Adults 21 and older can place bets through licensed mobile sportsbooks or at retail casino locations across the state.
Additionally, players who are serious about long-term pricing efficiency can participate in sports prediction markets like Novig as an alternative to traditional sportsbooks.
As the Pennsylvania betting market continues to mature, players should compare pricing, understand platform rules, and use responsible gambling tools to make informed decisions. The difference between winning and losing often comes down to understanding how each platform structures its pricing.
FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania allows both online and retail sports betting through state-licensed operators.
When did sports betting launch in Pennsylvania?
Retail sportsbooks launched in November 2018, and mobile betting began in 2019.
How old do you have to be to bet in Pennsylvania?
You must be at least 21 years old to place a legal sports bet.
Do I have to be in Pennsylvania to place a bet?
Yes. You must be physically located within Pennsylvania when placing a wager.
Can you bet on college sports in Pennsylvania?
Yes. College sports betting is allowed, but individual college athlete prop bets and high school sports betting are prohibited.
Is Novig legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Novig operates as a sports prediction market rather than a licensed sportsbook. Always review in-app eligibility requirements and platform terms.
