Is Gambling Illegal in Pennsylvania?

Understanding the gambling situation in Pennsylvania can ensure that you enjoy your time gambling within the limits of the law.

Gaming regulations change from one state to the next. We will provide a short overview of the gambling reality in Pennsylvania. It can be useful to stay up to date with the latest news on the matter and to make sure that you act according to the law of your state.

If you are interested in the world of gambling and would like to know more about Pennsylvania online casinos, the best PA online casinos, as well as land-based casinos, you’ll find many useful insights into the world of gambling in the state of Pennsylvania.

What Does the Law Say?

Sam Goh / Unsplash

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue states that “in Pennsylvania, all forms of gambling are illegal unless specifically authorized by law. The Pennsylvania Lottery, bingo, slots table games, and small games of chance are forms of gaming authorized by law.” Therefore, gambling is illegal unless specifically authorized by law.

This regulation is called the “Pennsylvania Local Option Small Games of Chance Act,” and it was passed in 1988. It has been amended several times since its enactment, too. This law authorizes club licensees and others to conduct small games of chance in various venues, such as pull-tab games, punchboards, raffles, daily drawings, weekly drawings, 50-50 drawings, and race night games.

Some examples of illegal forms of gambling are quarter auctions, Monte Carlo, casino or poker nights, but only outside of authorized casinos, and number games outside of the Pennsylvania lottery. As you might have noticed, this list only mentions land-based casinos, which are becoming less and less popular with each passing day.

Many people nowadays prefer the online format, which begs the question: “What about Pennsylvania online casinos?” We will tell you all about it in the next section.

What About Online Casinos?

Image Source / Getty Images

For all the Pennsylvania online casino fans out there, we have good news: Online gambling is legal in Pennsylvania. In 2017, the state legalized online casinos as well as poker and sports betting.

In 2019, the first online gambling sites were launched. Because of this, the state of Pennsylvania offers a wide range of online gambling options, such as online casinos, online poker, and only sports betting, at some of the best Pennsylvania online casinos.

You can enjoy playing all the most famous casino games on these websites, such as slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker. You can also bet on sports events by simply using your mobile device from the comfort of your own home.

There are some specifics to follow, though, to make sure to adhere to the rules of Pennsylvania online casinos. First of all, to legally gamble online in the state of Pennsylvania, you must be at least 21 years old, and you also need to be physically located within the state’s borders.

Also, you need to create an account with a licensed online gambling site, which must be approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. This is the first step to legally playing casino games online in Pennsylvania.

After that, you can deposit funds into your account and start playing.

Are They Safe?

Online casino, red poster with monitor and slot machine

Artyom Kozhemyakin / Getty Images

So far, we have talked about whether or not online casinos are legal in Pennsylvania and figured that they are, as long as they are licensed. But now, we must find out whether or not these casinos are actually safe.

By checking some of Pennsylvania’s online casinos, we found out that they are safe as long as you choose a licensed and regulated operator. There is an institution called the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which ensures licensed online casinos follow strict security measures.

This is done to protect your personal and financial information. As well as that, safe casinos use something called “encryption technology,” which is helpful to safeguard your data and provide fair games to all players out there.

Pennsylvania online casinos also offer the option of playing free games. It can be a very beneficial option, as it allows you to try out different games, practice your skills, and enjoy the entertainment without risking any real money.

Understanding the gambling situation in Pennsylvania can ensure that you enjoy your time gambling within the limits provided by the law. It’s good to know what is legal in Pennsylvania concerning gaming and what isn’t.

Now you know the law developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenues. This can shed some light and provide some reputable context to the actual law of gambling in Pennsylvania.

Whether you enjoy the occasional gaming session or are a regular, it is important to gamble responsibly and stick to your budget.

This article is a partnership with Bazoom Group.