When Will Online Gambling Be Legal In Pa
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Online poker is back in Pennsylvania. Many of the biggest and best-known poker sites are now legal and licensed to run games within state lines. They include PokerStars – with partypoker and WSOP.com expected to join soon.
Pennsylvania Online Gambling. What forms of legal online gambling. Online sports betting launched May 2019; Online casinos launched July 2019; Online poker launched November 2019; Many of PA’s major casinos have rolled out online casino sites. Online sports betting is live and active with DraftKings, FanDuel and Unibet to name a few. Yes, online poker has been legal in Pennsylvania since 2017 when a gambling expansion bill was signed into law. The first legal online poker site in this state launched in 2019, when PokerStars PA. Online gambling is legal in Pennsylvania. On October 30, 2017, PA governor Tom Wolf signed into law the bill that legalised online sports betting, online casino gambling, and online poker in.
As a player you can take advantage of the big marketing budgets these sites will use to gain traction in the Keystone State. There are no-deposit bouses, big matched welcome offers and generous loyalty schemes available right now.
This page has everything you need to understand the games, bonuses, and software options available at the legal PA online poker sites. You’ll also find a brief explanation of how the sites work and a detailed FAQ located at the bottom of the page.
Play online poker in Pennsylvania at PokerStars
Is online poker legal in PA?
Yes. Seven casinos took up the poker license, most as part of a package deal.
Instead of $4 million per gambling vertical, several PA casinos paid $10 million for poker, online slots, and online table games licenses. Many also spent $10 million for a separate sports betting license.
It took a long time from when the gambling expansion act (H 271) of 2017 was passed for PA online poker sites to appear. License holders prioritized sports betting and casinos as these have higher revenue than poker.
Best Poker Sites in Pennsylvania
Poker sites need to reach a critical mass of players to offer a good enough choice of cash games and big guarantees for their tournaments. This naturally limits the number of successful rooms possible, and healthy market share is critical.
The biggest rooms in other regulated states are strong favorites to be the biggest and best in Pennsylvania. Here are the sites to check out:
- PokerStars: Poker players the world over agree that PokerStars has the best software. While you will not be able to play against the giant global player pool in PA, you can enjoy the huge game choice and slick platform. New players get $30 in free play with a small ($20) deposit, with the ‘Stars Rewards’ loyalty scheme keeping your bankroll topped up after that.
- Party Poker: Soon, PA players will be able to check out the software and the famously soft poker games at Party with free money. Party offers NJ players $25 simply for signing up – which we expect to see on offer in PA too. Enjoy tournaments, cash games and the new Fast Forward poker format.
- WSOP.com/888: This brand is owned by Caesars Entertainment and will partner with Harrah’s Philadelphia to bring their unique platform to PA. There is more to this site than just qualifiers to the WSOP tournaments. You can play cash game, ‘Blast’ poker and a packed tournament schedule. New players get a matched welcome bonus of up to $1000 to get their bankrolls off to a flying start.
What do these PA poker apps offer?
PokerStars Pennsylvania
Poker players worldwide consider the PokerStars desktop client and apps to be the best software around. This covers the speed and smoothness of the games – plus small factors like how easy it is to resize tables and the ability to upload your own pictures.
PokerStars partnered with Mount Airy Casino. They were the first online poker site to launch in Pennsylvania – and have exceeded expectations in popularity. Player pools are not shared with their New Jersey site for the time being, which will be the case for all PA online poker rooms until further notice.
There are two bonuses for new players:
- Deposit a minimum of $20 to get $30 in tournament buy-ins and cash game tickets with bonus code THIRTY.
- Alternatively, PokerStars will match your first deposit up to $600. To claim this offer, use bonus code STARS600.
Regular players will enjoy a novel loyalty program. Stars Rewards gives you chests as you play, these have prizes tailored to you – going up in value depending on the stakes you play.
Games at PokerStars include the usual mix of cash games, tournaments and sit & goes. This site has a fast-fold cash game called Zoom Poker, and a lottery sit & go format called ‘Spins’. Regular ‘PACOOP’ (Pennsylvania Championship of Online Poker) events feature big prize tournaments – the highlight of a busy tournament schedule. They also run a number of other exciting tournament series that come with hefty guarantees.
Party Poker Pennsylvania
Party Poker is the biggest rival to PokerStars. This site is owned by gambling giant GVC, which has a national deal with MGM. Valley Forge Casino will supply licenses for GVC.
Once live, PA poker players should receive $25 simply for signing up. This bonus comes in two parts:
- $10 is a cash bonus, you can use this for any type of game
- $15 is in tournament tokens
If you like what you find, then you can get a 100% matched welcome bonus on your first deposit up to $1000 max. Promotions include leaderboards, reload bonuses and a loyalty points program.
In addition to the packed list of cash games, tournaments and sit & goes, you can now play ‘Fast Forward’ poker at Party. This is a fast-fold format, where players are moved to a new hand as soon as the current hand is folded.
The partypoker software has been completely revamped since they were last available in the US. You will find smartphone apps and desktop downloads for both Windows and Mac devices. At launch, games will only be against other players from PA. In time it is hoped that the shared player pools will expand to cover Pennsylvania – allowing games against other partypoker players from other states.
WSOP Poker Pennsylvania
WSOP is short for ‘World Series of Poker’. This brand is owned by Caesars Entertainment – owners of the iconic Harrah’s Casino in PA. There are active WSOP.com poker sites in both Nevada and New Jersey – and soon, Pennsylvania.
Software for this site is powered by 888 Poker, offering both an app and a downloadable desktop version.
There are some generous bonuses for new players at WSOP Pennsylvania:
- A no deposit bonus of $10 to check out the games with zero risk. Use bonus code 10FREE to claim this
- A huge bonus of up to $1000 matched to your first deposit
You can clear your bonus by collecting points in the real money games. WSOP have satellite qualifiers to the World Series events – as well as online poker promotions. Look out for new poker formats including ‘Blast’ lottery Sit and Goes, alongside the usual mix of NL Hold’em and PLO cash games and tournaments.
How legal online poker sites in Pennsylvania work
For online casinos and sportsbooks, you’ll normally access the website to enjoy gambling. Poker sites are different. Most players prefer to download a desktop software client to access the games. This gives you all the game types, and the ability to comfortably multi-table (play more than one table at a time). It also ensures the games are stable. Avoiding the client crashing just as you get dealt pocket aces is important.
PokerStars PA launched with both an Android and an iOS app available.
When you access the PA poker rooms, you will find four main poker formats. Which are available (and have games running) will depend on the size of the player pool at each site.
Here are the main formats:
- Cash games: Your chips have a real monetary value and can be topped up to the table maximum at any time. Online poker cash games start at $2 buy-ins (micro-stakes) up to around $1,000+ buy-ins. The stakes at these tables range from $.02/$.04 to $1,000/$2,000. Tables typically have two, six, or nine players.
- Poker tournaments: A knockout format where each player starts with a stack of chips in exchange for their buy-in. The bet sizes increase steadily, and play continues until one player has all the chips. Expect 10% or so of the field to get prizes. There are many variations in speed, poker game type, and the ability to rebuy or re-enter if you bust.
- Sit & Go tournaments: Usually single table games, these kick off whenever a table is full. New variations include PokerStars’ Spin & Go. These are three-handed games with a random prize pool of up to 10,000x your buy-in.
- Fast-fold poker: This innovation dispenses with the waiting time while other players finish hands by taking you to a new hand as soon as you fold. Players sit in pools rather than individual tables. Fast fold poker is used for both cash games and tournaments but is not available in Pennsylvania yet.
At international sites, there are a lot of poker variations to enjoy. The smaller player pools in Pennsylvania will mean that only No-Limit Hold’em and some Omaha variations like PLO and PLO8 will be available. If PA joins a wider group of state sites then Stud, Draw, and mixed games could become available.
Real Money Poker vs Free Online Poker
If you have only ever enjoyed poker on free to play apps, you will need to read up on strategy before you jump into the real money games. There is a huge difference in skill level as soon as real money is on the line.
The online poker rooms in Pennsylvania have options to enjoy play-money only tables. These can help you get to know the different types of poker game and how the betting rounds work. At PokerStars, the Home Games function lets you create private tables for your friends and colleagues. You can even play them with friends outside of PA, as long as they are for play money.
You can try out real money poker games at some sites without making a deposit. Party Poker should offer $10 in cash plus $15 in tournament entry tokens just for signing up. Other sites like PokerStars give you tokens worth $30 for just a small deposit.
To get off to a solid start at the real money poker tables, it is worth starting off at smaller buy-in levels than you would play in a live setting. This will give you a chance to assess the skill levels of your opponents and make sure you can beat the games before you move up to higher buy-ins.
Pennsylvania online poker: Bonuses and promotions
The online poker sites which have the most players in PA will have a huge advantage over competitors. PokerStars got a leg up on the competition as the first to market and exceeded expectations right away, taking in nearly $2 million in rake and tournament fees in its first month back in November.
As the number of players grows, bigger tournaments, better promotions, and a wider choice of cash games become available. This has the effect of attracting more players. Currently, PokerStars PA offers a choice of two welcome bonuses, namely $30 free if deposit $20 using marketing code FREE30, or a 100%bonus match up to $600 using marketing code STARS600, not both though.
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Once more online poker rooms go live in Pennsylvania, there will be fierce competition for new players. You can take advantage of this by getting your bankroll off to a great start thanks to the sites’ big marketing budgets and generous bonus offers.
Based on poker rooms in other regulated states, here is what to expect:
- No-deposit bonuses: Some poker sites will offer completely free chips, no deposit needed. This will sometimes come in the form of buy-ins to different tournaments or cash games. You’ll need to play this money through a set number of times before it can be withdrawn.
- Matched welcome bonuses: Expect your first deposit to be given a 100% (or better) match. Some sites offer up to $1,000 in bonus money this way. This is usually released in increments as you play.
- Freeroll tournaments: New players will be given access to beginners or depositors freerolls with real money prize pools. There may be additional entries based on loyalty schemes or future deposits.
- Reload bonuses: If your bankroll gets depleted, you will usually be offered an extra bonus to reload. Be advised these are usually smaller offers than the initial deposit bonus.
- Loyalty schemes: Poker sites all handle their loyalty programs differently. For PokerStars PA, expect to be awarded treasure chests, which have prizes tailored to your individual gambling preferences.
Depending on the brand, you might also be offered crossover promotions for the different gambling verticals.
Sports betting and casino games are well established in Pennsylvania, with many of the license holders for poker involved in all three industries. For example, players can now sign up for Fox Bet online sports betting and also access the PokerStars PA online poker and online casino verticals.
Depositing and withdrawing at PA online poker rooms
With poker being a skill game, more players will withdraw money than the other gambling verticals. You’ll have a lot of choices for how to get your money on board and your profits back off again.
While not all the online poker rooms will have all of the methods listed, the deposit methods below are the most commonly accepted.
- Credit / debit cards: Instant payments can be made with your regular bank cards. Visa and MasterCard are accepted by all the sites. Some sites will also allow deposits with Discover cards as well.
- Prepaid Play+ cards: Many gambling sites have branded debit cards. These add security and can be used for withdrawing your winnings. Then players can access funds via ATMs.
- Casino cage: You’ll be able to deposit and withdraw at the casino associated with each of the poker room brands.
- PayNearMe: This is another way of depositing cash, this time via 7-Eleven or CVS stores. Note that the fixed costs make this expensive for smaller deposits.
- PayPal: This is a popular online wallet system. It is used as a secure bridge between your bank and online merchants. PayPal is used for both deposits and withdrawals. However, do not be surprised if this option is not available at most online poker sites. The fees associated with PayPal, combined with the high tax rates for PA online operators mean this will be a rare option, not a common one.
- Neteller / Skrill: Owned by the same company, these wallet services work in a similar way to PayPal. They have been popular with poker players internationally for many years. Like PayPal, there is a chance these will not be available at every site because of hefty fees.
- eChecks: Also known as ACH transfers, this poker deposit method comes directly from your bank. You can get pre-verified, making your eCheck deposits and withdrawals instant.
- Bill pay: If you use a major bank, you might already pay your utility bills with Bill Pay. Paying into your poker account works in the same way. This banking option is not used for withdrawals.
- Bank wire: This is a slower way to transfer from your bank, though can still be used if you wish to securely transfer large amounts.
- Money order / paper check: Another slower banking method welcomed by many sites. If there are no alternative ‘online’ methods, you can withdraw your profits via a paper check.
Online poker partnerships in PA
For now, PA poker games are ring-fenced. This means that tables will not be shared with poker players from other regulated states like New Jersey and Nevada.
Three major international brands already partnered with Pennsylvania casinos, with only PokerStars and Mount Airy Casino live with their online poker product. More announcements are expected soon to clarify plans for online poker.
This is the full list of the PA casinos which have licenses to open online poker rooms:
Poker Site | Casino Partner | Software | Status | Bonus |
---|---|---|---|---|
PokerStars | Mount Airy Casino Resort | PokerStars | Live | $30 Free |
PartyPoker PA | Valley Forge Casino | PartyPoker | Approved | TBD |
WSOP.com | Harrahs Philadelphia | 888 | Approved | TBD |
SugarHouse | Rivers Philadelphia | Rush Street | Approved | TBD |
BetMGM | Independent License | GVC | Approved | TBD |
Penn National | Hollywood Casino | IGT | Approved | TBD |
Parx Casino | Parx Casino | GAN/Kambi | Approved | TBD |
Wind Creek Casino | Wind Creek Casino | TBD | Approved | TBD |
Live poker in Pennsylvania
There are 10 live poker rooms in Pennsylvania. They are:
- Harrah’s Philadelphia: This poker room is branded using the World Series of Poker name. It is open 24/7 and has 28 tables featuring cash games and tournaments. Types of poker include the popular No-Limit Hold’em, Seven-Card Stud, and Omaha.
- Mohegan Sun Pocono: Located close to Wilkes-Barre, this poker room holds 18 tables. Daily tournaments include bounty events. The room also offers bad beat and royal flush jackpots for cash games.
- Parx Casino: This is one of the bigger poker rooms, hosting 48 tables including a separated three-table high-limit poker room. Parx is located at Bensalem, northeast of Philadelphia. They hold big buy-in tournament events, as well their own regular schedule of tournaments and cash games.
- Rivers Casino: Located in Pittsburgh, Rivers Casino hosts a 30-table poker room, which covers more than 8,000 square feet. Hourly high-hand bonuses keep the cash games lively, while bigger buy-in tournament events run alongside their busy weekly schedule.
- The Meadows Casino: Rather than a separate room, the 14 poker tables at The Meadows are on the main casino floor. You’ll have a view of the live racing while you play. This room is located 25 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, at Strabane Township.
- Hollywood Casino: This live poker venue is located at the Penn National Racecourse, at Grantville, PA. They have 17 tables and run cash games with a high hand promotion. Tournaments include both standard and turbo blind options.
- Mount Airy Casino: The poker parlor at the Mount Airy resort in northwest PA is a smaller live poker venue. With only nine tables, Texas Hold’em is the only variation you will find here.
- Presque Isle Casino: This is the smallest poker room in Pennsylvania, with only seven tables. While most rooms are 24/7, this one opens at 10 a.m. / 12 p.m. and continues only as long as there is substantial play. Single and multi-table tournaments are advertised, in addition to cash games.
- Sugarhouse Casino: Located in Philadelphia, Sugarhouse offers a 24/7 poker room which holds 28 tables. High hand and bad beat jackpots are run. Buy-ins for their cash games range from $60 to $3,000.
- Wind Creek Casino: This 28-table live poker room is located close to Bethlehem, PA. This was previously known as Sands Casino. With a complimentary beverage service, tableside dining, and a lot of TV’s showing sporting action, this poker room is advertised as state of the art.
Update: As of May 28, PlaySugarHouse is now live for mobile casino and sports betting. The Kambi powered app is the first online sportsbook to launch in Pennsylvania. Parx and Rivers are expected to be next. The holdup on other operators appears to be the rigor of the PGCB testing and approval process for online apps.
Apps are now expected from:
- Parx
- BetRivers
- Valley Forge using FanDuel
- Hollywood Casino
- Harrah’s Philadelphia
- Presque Isle Downs
- Mount Airy–not yet approved by the PGCB, but will launch with BetStars part of The Stars Group that has just partnered with Fox Sports. They plan to introduce a “Fox Bet” sports betting product.
Pennsylvania legal sports betting is here
Everything is changing fast in the Pennsylvania casino world as sports betting and online gaming begin to roll out.
After the US Supreme Court overturned PASPA, Pennsylvania was one of the first states to pass a law authorizing sports betting. In a remarkably sensible move, it has also legalized online gaming.
First up with sports betting is the Hollywood Casino, which launched inaugural legal Pennsylvania sports betting on Nov. 17.
There was a short window when Hollywood allowed sports betting a day earlier, but this was a restricted test to signal to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) that all was ready to go.
The PGCB is in the driver’s seat as to when casinos can launch their new offerings. The new laws give it the responsibility to authorize licenses and start dates, so casinos are dependent on the speed at which the PGCB makes decisions.
A move toward speeding up the process, the PGCB has given Executive Director Kevin O’Toole the authority to greenlight new sportsbook operations, which avoids the need to wait for decisions at the regular monthly PGCB meetings.
After all the PGCB activity, we can now make reasonably good forecasts of which casinos will launch what new games and when.
Key features of Pennsylvania’s new online gaming and sports betting
But first, a quick review of the key points about Pennsylvania’s new sports betting and online gaming laws:
- Sports betting is now legal and subject to authorization by the PGCB and payment of a $10 million license fee.
- Online casino games, slotsand poker are also authorized, including on mobile devices. Casinos have paid $4 million per license to offer these or $10 million for the package of three.
- Taxes vary from game to game but can be very high. Online slots pay 54 percent and online sports betting pays 36 percent.
- The taxes are paid by operators, not bettors, but do mean that odds and payout rates may be worse than in Nevadaor New Jersey.
- Casinos may have multiple online gaming skins but can offer only one online sports betting brand.
- Casinos will offer a single account from which to fund all online gaming accounts.
- Patrons can sign up online for online accounts. There is no need to register in person.
- The existing licensed casinos have partnered with online gaming companies to launch their online gaming products. The partnership means some of the world’s largest brands will soon be available in Pennsylvania.
Now, for all you need to know about Pennsylvania’s new sports betting and online gaming, here’s a quick guide, casino by casino.
Hollywood Penn National
Hollywood’s sports betting operation is now running from the simulcast theater on the second floor of the property.
The sportsbook is powered by William Hill US, which has substantial experience of running books in Nevada and New Jersey.
Penn National, which owns the casino, has also applied for online gaming licenses to allow the following online offerings:
- Casino games, including roulette and blackjack
- Slots
- Sports betting
- Poker
This full set of the licenses are available under the PGCB regulations.
Hollywood is partnering with special online providers for its internet gaming offer, although William Hill will continue to power the online sports betting.
Penn National told the PGCB that IGT would be the primary online technology provider. IGT is big in online casino and slots games, but less well known for its online poker product.
IGT launched a significant update to its online poker platform at this year’s G2E conference, but it will face stiff competition from better known international brands PokerStars, 888 and PartyPoker.
The launch date for Hollywood Casino online gaming will probably be mid-June to mid-July although all the company would say to the PGCB was “sometime in 2019.”
Harrah’s Philadelphia
The PGCB has given Harrah’sconditional approval for its live sportsbook and its interactive licenses. The technology partner for the sportsbook is Scientific Games and 888 for the online games.
Harrah’s is owned by Caesars Entertainment, which has plenty of live and online sports betting experience in Nevada.
As part of the new expansion of state-regulated sports betting, Caesars has also started sportsbooks at two of its casinos in New Jersey and two in Mississippi. All are run in partnership with Scientific Games.
Caesars already offers online casino and sports betting in New Jersey, so Pennsylvanians can see what to expect.
No timeline is officially available. Best guess is Harrah’s won’t hang around and should have live sports betting up and running in January 2019 with everything else to follow in the first quarter. [Editor’s note: Harrah’s launched on Jan 24].
Mohegan Sun Pocono
Mohegan Sun’s$12 million worth of interactive license applications got the green light. The PGCB approved licenses for online slots and online table games. Mohegan decided not to follow through with its license for interactive poker.
On May 3, the Mohegan Sun finally got its act together and applied for a sports betting license.
European online gaming group, Kindred, has teamed up with the Mohegan Sun to deliver the technology and sports betting expertise for both online and casino sportsbooks. No word yet on when a sportsbook will open.
Mount Airy Casino
Mount Airy Casino has partnered with PokerStars and 888, so it might be significant in the online poker market. Under PA laws, casinos can launch several online poker and casino skins, but only one online sports betting brand.
Mount Airy has conditional approval for three interactive gaming licenses, so online gambling should launch at the beginning of 2019.
But the casino doesn’t have a sports betting license application in the works. If it does apply, it could work with either BetStars or 888.
[Editor’s Note:] They finally did it–applied for a sports betting license on May 3. It looks like the sportsbook will be powered by BetStars with products and branding also coming from Fox Sports. The Stars Group struck a nationwide deal with Fox Sports on May 8.
Lady Luck Casino
The Lady LuckCasino is part of the Eldorado Group. Eldorado agreed to sell Lady Luck to Churchill Downs, but the agreement fell through.
Nevertheless, Churchill Downs is about to take over operational control of the casino under a separate deal.
Churchill Downs also operates the Presque Isle Downs & Casino and the racetrack which it and Eldorado are buying.
Lady Luck has not filed any license applications for interactive gaming or sports betting. The window for filing license applications has now closed, so expect no change at Lady Luck.
Churchill Downs has applied for a full set of interactive licenses for Presque Isle, so the company’s online ambitions can be realized through those licenses.
One new element has entered the equation. PokerStars parent, the Stars Group, has signed a deal with Eldorado.
This will give PokerStars and its sports betting brand, BetStars, the opportunity to open online gaming skins at Eldorado properties.
Since Lady Luck has missed the deadline for license applications, this casino may not be in any of the Stars Group’s plans. Then again, the future is in the future, so who knows what might develop.
Parx Casino
Parx Casino was one of the first to get its license applications in, and eventually kicked off sports betting at Parx Sportsbook on Jan. 8 with a two-day testing period.
It has partnered with GAN and Kambi. Kambi will be providing the sports betting platform with GAN delivering a bunch of other services, which includes managing customer accounts.
Parx owner, Greenwood Gaming, also owns the South Philadelphia Turf Club where Kambi will launch a second live sportsbook.
Parx’s Kambi-powered online gaming product will launch shortly. It looks like they’ve missed the end of May, but expect an announcement in early June.
Presque Isle Downs
Presque Isle Downs is conditionally approved for interactive gaming. The casino did not apply for a peer-to-peer license that would have allowed it to offer online poker.
Churchill Downs and Eldorado have finalized their takeover of Presque Isle so their previously opaque plans are now coming clear.
In its presentation to the PGCB, Presque Isle said that it would launch online gaming early in 2019 under BetAmerica. BetAmerica is the online brand currently used by Churchill Downs for online horse race betting.
These plans are delayed, but expect some online gaming from July 2019.
Presque Isle submitted its sports betting license application on December 7. The Presque Isle sports book is due to open on June 1.
The Stars Group deal with Eldorado should not impact these existing arrangements, but could allow the launch of PokerStars online casino at Presque Isle Downs.
Rivers Casino and SugarHouse Casino
Rivers Casino applied for online gaming licenses, then pulled its application. It also applied for sports betting authorization.
A spokesperson for Rivers told PlayPennsylvania:
“Rivers Casino Pittsburgh intends to provide iGaming to Western Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth; however, we’re taking additional time to explore the various options for doing so. Rivers is actively pursuing a sports wagering certificate to offer both land-based and mobile sports betting.”
It is partnered with Rush Street Interactive, which is the Rush Street Gaming subsidiary tasked with the company’s online gaming plans. Rush Street also owns the SugarHouse Casino.
Kambi is the Rush Street Interactive sports betting technology partner, so by default is also running sports betting at the Rivers Casino.
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Live sports betting has already launched at both casinos. The first sports bets were coordinated for 2 p.m. EST on December 13.
Timings and technology may be coordinated, but style and user experience is very different.
SugarHouse did apply for the interactive licenses and planned to launch online casino and sports betting through its playSugarHouse brand. PlaySugarHouse is already live in New Jersey with sports betting and casino games on offer.
[Editor’s Note] SugarHouse managed to beat the other casinos to market and launched its PlaySugarHouse online casino and sports betting app on May 28. The app is currently only available for Android. An iOS version awaits approval from the PGCB but should be available in the first few weeks of June.
The Rivers Casino should launch its version of the app very soon. In the past the PGCB has sequenced sports betting launches by the same casino group.
The South Philadelphia Turf Club launched a week after its sister casino, Parx because the PGCB wanted to confirm the the first roll-out worked properly. If they do the same for the Rivers, it might only be a few days before they approve the Rivers app.
Sands Bethlehem
Despite the well-known opposition of owner Sheldon Adelson, Sands has applied for interactive gaming licenses.
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is buying the casino through Wind Creek Hospitality. As the sale has yet to go through, Sands could produce no business plan for sports betting or online gaming.
Nevertheless, the Sands applied for all three interactive gaming licenses to take advantage of the $2 million discount on offer. It did not apply for a sports betting license.
When online games will launch and who the Sands will partner with is currently unknown.
The Meadows Casino
The Meadows is owned by Penn National, which owns the Hollywood Casino. It has not applied for any licenses, so will not be taking advantage of the new laws.
Meadows will probably advertise Penn National’s online gaming through the Hollywood Casino.
Valley Forge Casino
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Valley Forge has conditional approval for online gaming and applied for a sports betting license on Nov. 14. The casino is partnered with IGT and GAN and is expected to launch online gaming in July 2019.
Although not publicly confirmed, Valley Forge probably has a partnership with GVC.
If this partnership does bear fruit, PartyPoker should launch under the Valley Forge umbrella. If that happens, then expect PartyCasino and possibly playMGM to launch, too.
GVC and MGM have a joint venture which will see them launch online sports betting and gaming wherever the law allows.
Valley Forge has established a partnership with FanDuelfor its sports betting operations, both live and online. Sports betting went live on March 13.
FanDuel is better known to Pennsylvanians for its daily fantasy sports (DFS) business. Since Paddy Power Betfairbought FanDuel in May this year, the company has become PPB’s leading brand in establishing US sports betting.
In New Jersey, FanDuel is making the second-highest revenues from online sports betting. It also powers the live sports betting at the Meadowlands racetrack which has the highest live sports betting revenues.
If the New Jersey experience is a guide, FanDuel and Valley Forge should become major players in the new Pennsylvania market.
Valley Forge Turf Club
The Valley Forge Turf Club is a racetrack based facility which opened sports betting on March 12.
It is part of the Greenwood Gaming run trio of Parx, South Philadelphia Turf Club and now the Valley Forge Turf Club. In other words, not to be confused with the Valley Forge Casino.
The sports betting area offers 6 teller windows and 14 sports betting kiosks. Technology is provided by Kambi which has the reputation of providing the most user-friendly kiosk technology yet deployed.
Stadium Casino
Stadium Casino is a casino without a casino. This is a bit tricky when it comes to knowing what it plans to do in regard to sports betting and online gaming.
Stadium has a site. The old Packer Avenue Holiday Inn in Philadelphia is now gone and preliminary construction work has begun on the new casino, but there’s nothing casino-like about what’s there yet.
The casino was to be a joint venture between Parx owner Greenwood Gaming and Cordish Companies. In a not very surprising move, Greenwood backed out of the deal last week leaving the whole project to Cordish.
The launch of the live casino is now projected for December 2020. Stadium has applied for interactive gaming licenses, but obviously, nothing is going to happen in the near future.
In a cost-saving move, the casino asked the PGCB to allow it to abandon its application for an online poker license. The PGCB agreed to allow Stadium to receive $2 million back in license fees.
Recently the owners have said that development plans include the creation of a sports bar and a sports betting area. Maybe… but there’s no license application in front of the PGCB yet.
Extra interactive licenses
Twelve interactive gaming licenses are up for grabs after none of the existing PA casinos applied for them—or in the case of the Rivers Casino and Stadium Casino, relinquished them.
Applications for groups outside of Pennsylvania seeking interactive licenses were due Oct. 31. We do know that the PGCB approved MGM and Golden Nugget as qualified gaming entities. The next step for these two properties is filing interactive applications
Announcements on these licenses should come soon.