Top Online Casino

I know what you’re thinking. “What does a sports site know about USA online casinos?” Well, considering that most online sportsbooks actually have real money casinos attached, we know quite a bit!

Our top-rated online casinos for 2021. The differences (and similarities) between mobile online casinos and dedicated casino apps. How to find the best online casinos for any specific requirements you may have. Some of the top reasons for playing online casino games, and how it compares to playing at land-based gaming venues. This is an excellent question. Most online casino sites and sportsbooks are not that different on the surface. Some of the best real money US online casinos will have them available in addition to the casino. There are many all-in-one casino/sportsbooks out there, such as: Bovada; BetOnline; Sportsbetting.ag; BetNow.

That’s why we’ve created this section about online casino sites to help fans of all types of gambling find some entertainment. It might be during your favorite sport’s off-season or something else, but no matter what it is, real money online casinos are here to help!

Here, we’ve gathered some of the very best US online casinos on the market today. You can head right into the action or keep reading to learn more!

Betting Site
BonusBet Now
1100% up to €250Go to Site
2
Europa Casino
200% up to €500Go to Site
3100% up to €400Go to Site
4
Spinia
100% up to €250Go to Site
5100% up to $1,000Go to Site

The rest of this page is going to be dedicated to helping you find the perfect online casino and show you all of what the world of online casinos has to offer.

Why You Should Consider US Online Casinos

If you’re a die-hard sports fan looking for a change of pace, you’ve come to the right place. Most of the US online casinos we recommend double as sportsbooks, so if you have a book you trust, you can switch over and play casino games already. You may also be able to play online poker!

This isn’t true for all sportsbooks and online casinos, though, but we’ll get into that later.

For now, let’s go over a few reasons as to why you should play games at online casino sites.

More Opportunities to Win Money

This one is obvious. If you expand your resume of placing real money wagers, you have the opportunity to win more money. This doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but if you’re a skilled sports bettor, you should have no problem picking up games like blackjack or Texas Holdem.

Playing casino games online gives you that opportunity to pick up some extra dough for your bankroll. If you really put in the time and effort, you can learn about different systems and how to get an edge over the house. Then, you’re really in the running for earning some serious cash.

Burn out Less Often Than Betting on Sports

It’s a well-known fact that if you do something too often, it’s easy to get burned out. If you’re an avid sports bettor placing multiple bets down a day, this can get exhausting with how much you need to keep up with daily.

Make sure you take a break. Go outside, get some fresh air, then try out something new. Check out a few online casino games for money to give yourself a well-deserved break.

There’s nothing more satisfying than being able to sit down and just bet on watching a roulette wheel spin or dice being thrown. Sometimes, a simple break can also help clear your mind and help you stay as sharp as ever.

Fill in the Void of Your Sport Being Off-Season

In 2020, the sports world shut down for a while. This was unprecedented, and not many people were prepared for this. So, in times where your sport of choice is its off-season, or if there is an unexpected pandemic, the best online casinos USA are always there!

There’s no off-season for blackjack tables, roulette wheels, or any other type of online real money casino game. So, if you familiarize yourself with these games now, you will have a better appreciation for them and still have a great source of entertainment!

US Online Casinos vs Sports Betting Sites

This is an excellent question. Most online casino sites and sportsbooks are not that different on the surface. Some of the best real money US online casinos will have them available in addition to the casino. There are many all-in-one casino/sportsbooks out there, such as:

  • Bovada
  • BetOnline
  • Sportsbetting.ag
  • BetNow

These sites offer both sports betting options and online casino games.

More often than not, any sportsbooks you come across will have a casino. The opposite is not true, however.

  • El Royale Casino
  • Vegas Casino Online
  • High Country Casino

These casinos listed above do not have a sportsbook option.

The Key Differences

Since sportsbooks and casinos online are very similar, what are some of the differences? Well, the distinctions between the two don’t actually stand out too much. They’re more minor and found on a site-by-site basis.

For example, some sites are owned by the same parent company, so you’ll recognize the following qualities:

  • Similar software
  • Similar designs
  • Similar games
  • Similar betting lines

However, some sites are entirely different entities, and that’s where you’ll start finding larger differences in things like which games are offered, how they run, etc.

Look Into Customer Service Teams

One thing that we will say is that many sites use different customer service teams and handle their customer support in different ways. This is a crucial factor you should look for before choosing a real money online casino to use.

How to Utilize USA Online Casino Bonuses

Top

Bonuses are the very lifeblood of casino players! If you’ve been on an online casino of any kind, you’ve probably seen a banner like this:

The best online casinos certainly know how to entice people with large sums of money in the form of bonuses. The question has to be asked, though, “Are these offers too good to be true?”

Watch out for Playthrough Requirements

While a bonus of $5,000, like in the example above, might look enticing on the surface, we need to dig a little deeper before jumping in.

Notice how we have highlighted #8, #10, and #12. You’ll see from point #8 that you will have either a 35x or a 30x playthrough requirement before you can withdraw your winnings. Let’s look at an example of how this works.

Let’s say you chose the second option of a 100% bonus up to $1,000. If you deposit $1,000 and the online casino matches that, you have $2,000 in your account. That means you have the 30x playthrough requirement. Let’s do the math.

$2,000 x 30 = $60,000

This means you have to gamble at least $60,000 in the casino from that initial $2,000 before you can make a withdrawal.

Don’t let this scare you, not all online casino bonuses are this extensive, but we wanted to make sure you were aware of how this works. If you read the terms of conditions and tackle this properly, bonuses at real money online casinos can be an excellent way to get some extra cash. Just make sure that you’re 100% aware of what you’re getting into!

USA Online Casino Gambling by State

Online casinos in the USA are starting up every single day. The casino market in the US is growing as online gambling is becoming more widely accepted across the country.

Here, we are going to examine the online casino sites available in all 50 different states in the US. Simply find your state in the list below to learn about the real money online casinos available in that state.

Click here to view the full list of states.
  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

Different Types of Real Money Online Casinos

Now, we’re going to talk about the different types of online real money casinos you can find today. There are many different options out there, and we’re going to break down the options for you so you can find exactly what you need.

Fast Payout Online Casinos

No one likes waiting for their money. You’re no exception! So, it’s understandable that you want an online casino that pays out your winnings fast. These casinos are the best in the business and are highly rated by our team and customers alike. Click the link to learn more.

Safest USA Online Casinos

If you’re more concerned about the safety of your information more than anything else, then you definitely want to check out our guide to the safest online casinos. These real money casinos have top-of-the-line security features set in place to ensure all of their customers have their information completely secured. Click the link to learn more.

Real Money Casino Games

If you’re looking for a specific real money casino game, we’ve got you covered. Here, we’re going to showcase a few different games that you can find on any of the US online casinos we’ve recommended.

Real Money Slots

Slots are an essential part of almost every casino player’s routine. Finding the best casinos with online slots is easy. Follow the link provided to find more information about the best real money slot casinos.

Real Money Blackjack

Hit me! Okay, don’t actually hit me. But that’s what you’ll be saying when you find the best online blackjack casinos to play at. Follow the link provided to learn all about real money blackjack casinos and get started today!

Other Real Money Casino Games

Live Dealer Casinos

Live dealer casinos are a stunning innovation for the advancement of the online casino industry. If you want an authentic casino experience without actually going to a brick and mortar location, live dealer online casinos are the way to go.

Live dealer casinos online set up real live dealers with webcams and stream them right to your computer. You can play games like blackjack, roulette, craps, and many more with an actual person to interact with! If you’re interested in getting started with a live dealer online casino, follow the link provided to learn more!

Final Thoughts on United States Online Casinos

We hope you’ve found this guide to finding real money online casinos helpful. We hope that you know you can trust our recommendations. We may be The Sports Geek, but we can still provide you with other useful information! We have a great team that’s dedicated to ensuring you find a casino site that best suits your online gambling needs.

If you still need help with anything, or you have a question that isn’t answered in our FAQ section below, feel free to contact us anytime.

USA Real Money Online Casinos FAQ

Just for you guys, we want to take the time to cover a few of the questions we get most often from our visitors about online casinos and real money gambling.

We get this question often. As long as you stick with reputable USA online casinos, like the ones we have recommended, you have nothing to worry about. There are plenty of casino sites out there that want to scam you. Still, they are usually pretty easy to spot with terrible websites that are difficult to use. Trust our recommendations and your own instincts, and you'll be just fine.
That depends entirely on the casino. Usually, you can find a banking tab on the home page of the gambling site; this will redirect you to the portion of their site that outlines what banking methods you can use.
Yes, there are limits, but exact amounts vary between real money online casinos. Some online casino websites offer high roller rooms, while some might cap wagers at $50 a hand for blackjack. Ultimately, it just comes down to the casino, so be sure to do your research before signing up and making a deposit.
Yes! Online casinos in the USA are mostly safe. I say “mostly” because there are some online casinos that should be avoided. We do our best to ensure that we recommend only the best real money online casinos. When searching for a safe US real money casino, make sure you use the sites we recommend.
Many US online casinos offer deposit bonuses. You’ll want to make sure you read all the terms and conditions of the bonuses and decide which one best suits your needs. Right now, El Royale Casino is offering a 240% Bonus + 40 Free Spins on Bubble Bubble 2.

With so many bonuses out there, the most crucial factor is making sure you choose a legit online casino that will actually protect your money.

No, and this is super important. Some online casinos are not trustworthy, and you should avoid these gambling sites at all costs. You need to make sure you stick with the best real money online casinos that we’ve recommended here at the top of this page. This is because we’ve already done all the research and vetted these casinos extensively.

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 2021

Casino
Features
On Sign Up
100% Deposit Match up to $1,000
On Sign Up. T&Cs Apply
100% Deposit Match up to $1,500
100% Match on First Deposit
World Renowned Casino
100% Match on First Deposit
100% Up To $500 On Deposit
For 24 Hours
Blackjack, Roulette, Slots & More.
To Claim: Click Play Now
100% Match Over 3 Deposits
Plus Mystery Slots Bonuses!

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.

CasinoOnline partnersOnline Casino launch projection
Hollywood (Penn National)N/ALaunched July 2019
ParxGANLaunched July 2019
Rivers PhiladelphiaRush Street Interactive / KambiLaunched July 2019 (PlaySugarHouse)
PokerStars Casino888 / PokerStarsLaunched Nov. 2019
UnibetKindredLaunched Nov. 2019
FanDuel CasinoIGT / GANLaunched Jan. 2020
Presque Isle DownsBetAmericaLaunched Jan. 2020
Rivers PhiladelphiaRush Street Interactive / KambiLaunched Jan. 2020 (BetRivers)
Harrah'sScientific Games / 888 (Caesars)Launched April 2020
Wind Creek CasinoPala InteractiveLaunched July 2020
Live! CasinoGANLaunched Aug. 2020
Barstool CasinoPenn National2020
Hollywood (Penn National)BetMGMLaunched Dec. 2020
Golden Nugget NJNYXApplication pending

Best sportsbook bonuses and offers

100% Match on First Deposit
ONLY 1x Play Through!
Use Exclusive Affiliate Code: PLAY250
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler. Only 1x Wager Applies, Playable in PA Only
Online sports betting is a relatively new concept in Pennsylvania. Several betting sites have launched, and there’s a bit of an arms race underway.

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

CasinoRetail sportsbook launchOnline sportsbookOnline sportsbook launch
Rivers Casino PhiladelphiaDec. 15, 2018PlaySugarHouseLaunched May 2019
Rivers Casino PittsburghDec. 15, 2018BetRiversLaunched June 2019
Parx Casino SportsbookJan. 10, 2019ParxLaunched June 2019
Valley Forge CasinoMarch 13, 2019FanDuelLaunched July 2019
Hollywood Casino at Penn NationalNov. 17, 2018BarstoolLaunched Sept. 2020
Harrah's PhiladelphiaJan. 24, 2019CaesarsLaunched March 2020
Presque Isle Downs CasinoJuly 26, 2019BetAmericaLaunched Dec. 2019
Mount AirySept. 12, 2019Fox BetLaunched Sept. 2019
Mohegan Sun PoconoSept. 24, 2019UnibetLaunched Nov. 2019
The MeadowsOct. 7, 2019DraftKingsLaunched Nov. 2019
Oaks Race & Sportsbook (Now Closed)March 14, 2019 (permanently closed in July, 2020)N/AN/A
South Philadelphia Turf ClubJan. 17, 2019N/AN/A
The Downs at Lehigh ValleyJan. 2020 (Unibet Sportbook)N/AN/A
Wind Creek CasinoNov. 18, 2020BetfredLaunched Dec. 2020
Live! Casino Philadelphia (2021)2021 (FanDuel Sportsbook)N/AN/A
Hollywood Casino Morgantown (2021)2021 (BetMGM Sportsbook)BetMGMLaunched Dec. 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.

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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.

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.

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.

Online

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

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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.

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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.

Top Online Casinos 2020

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:

  • 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