Online Gambling Pennsylvania Law

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BetMGM announced the launch of BetMGM Casino online in Pennsylvania, which will deliver a wide range of online casino games to the Keystone state residents.

The casino launch also paves the foundation for the upcoming launch of BetMGM’s sports betting offering within the state, which should be available statewide in the coming weeks, pending necessary regulatory approvals. Recently, BetMGM became the first gaming partner of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pennsylvania becomes the third state where BetMGM’s iGaming offering is live, joining New Jersey and West Virginia online casinos.

From best-in-class blackjack and roulette games to a host of slots, BetMGM Casino will launch with more than 140 games, which include slot tournaments, progressive jackpots exclusive to the state, video poker and other casino and slot games.

Pennsylvania Gambling Laws: Fun Facts Casinos in Pennsylvania have only been able to offer table games such as poker and blackjack since 2010. Pennsylvania took in more tax revenue from gambling than any other state in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Recent Online Gambling News From Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Gambling Age: 18 for lottery, bingo, and racing, 21 for casinos; Smoking ban: Pennsylvania permits casinos to set aside a percentage of the floor for smoking areas; Online gambling status: Horse racing is the only form of legal online gambling.

Pennsylvania Online Gambling Laws

The BetMGM app features an exclusive-to-Pennsylvania, in-house jackpot with five jackpot games, including MGM Grand Millions slot game. At launch, the value of the progressive jackpot is $140,000 and growing.

BetMGM’s Pennsylvania Casino product will be available in their mobile app – available on iOS and Android devices. The experience is also available via desktop. All new users will receive $25 in house money upon registration and they are doing a 100 percent deposit match up to $1,000. New customers may sign up at BetMGM here.

“We’re thrilled to bring BetMGM’s online casino offering to Pennsylvania,” said BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt. “With more than 140 different games, including our own in-house progressive jackpot network, we’re delivering the widest range of content currently available in the state. Alongside MGM Resorts and its M life Rewards program, BetMGM will provide players with a truly unique entertainment experience.”

Online Gambling Pennsylvania Apps

Players at BetMGM Casino are also integrated with MGM Resorts’ M life Rewards program, which allows BetMGM customers in Pennsylvania to redeem their game play for world-class experiences at MGM Resorts iconic properties nationwide, such as Bellagio and MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Borgata in New Jersey and MGM National Harbor in Maryland.

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Online Gambling Pa Law

Home» US Poker Laws » State Laws » Pennsylvania Poker Laws

Relevant State Code: 18§5513 et seq.; 4§325.101 et seq.

If Pennsylvania law had a Facebook relationship with gambling, the status would almost certainly be 'it's complicated.' The state takes a fairly strict approach to unregulated gambling, an approach that is muddled by the absolute lack of a definition of 'gambling' anywhere in Pennsylvania law. 'Unlawful' gambling is defined as gambling 'not specifically authorized by law,' but that's not much help.

Lacking a formal definition enshrined in state law, Pennsylvania falls back on a case law definition of the term. The general consensus seems to be that Pennsylvania requires the classic three elements - consideration (something of value given by the player), chance and reward - to be present for an activity to be considered gambling.

Just how much chance must be involved remains an open issue in Pennsylvania.

Penalties for illegal gambling in Pennsylvania are comparatively minor. Players do not appear to face any criminal liability as long as they are simply participants in the game. It should be noted that Pennsylvania law does not explicitly exempt players from prosecution - it only (apparently) fails to proscribe any specific charges for players. Operators face several first degree misdemeanor charges (click here to learn more about penalties for various charges in Pennsylvania) along with the potential for additional conspiracy and racketeering charges.

According to statistics provided by the state, there were 276 gambling - related charges filed in Pennsylvania in 2010. Based on a non-scientific search of Pennsylvania media, the exclusive targets of enforcement seem to be operators and those caught cheating in casinos.

Types of Legal Gambling in Pennsylvania

Those in Pennsylvania can try their hand at the State Lottery, betting on races at the state's several horse tracks (many of which also offer slots and table games) and a variety of Vegas-style gambling options at the state's licensed commercial casinos such as Sugarhouse. There is no tribal gambling in Pennsylvania.

Social gambling does not enjoy an explicit exemption from state law. With that said, the limited apparent criminal liability for players suggests that some forms of social gambling - specifically those where no one profits from the game - would potentially be legal in Pennsylvania.

A limited amount of charitable gambling is legal in Pennsylvania. Regulations on this issue are state-level, but licenses appear to be issued at the local level. Bingo, raffles, drawings and a handful of other games are permitted when conducted by qualifying organizations in accordance with the law.

Playing Poker for Real Money Legally in Pennsylvania

Poker players in Pennsylvania have a wide variety of regulated options, with numerous poker rooms hosted at the state's casinos and horse tracks.

Home games are a more complicated issue. With the lack of clear charges for players and the legal ambiguity surrounding exactly what does and does not constitute gambling, it's difficult to find support for the position that home games of poker (where no rake is taken) are illegal in Pennsylvania.

Very similar issues come into play when you consider playing online poker in Pennsylvania. While the game itself may be illegal, it's unclear how those who simply play in the games would be criminally liable under current state law.

Pennsylvania

Are Online Casinos and Online Poker Sites Legal in Pennsylvania?

Online gambling pennsylvania lawyers

No part of Pennsylvania law regarding gambling directly mentions gambling online or online poker sites. That does not mean, of course, that online gambling is legal; Pennsylvania law basically criminalizes all forms of gambling that are not specifically authorized by law.

Having said that, it is very unlikely that those who are acting only as players would face any criminal exposure due to gambling online or playing poker online. There does not appear to be any direct violation of Pennsylvania law inherent in such actions.

Pennsylvania Gambling Laws: Fun Facts
Casinos in Pennsylvania have only been able to offer table games such as poker and blackjack since 2010.

Pennsylvania took in more tax revenue from gambling than any other state in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Recent Online Gambling News From Pennsylvania

While very active on the land-based gambling expansion front, Pennsylvania hasn't had much to say on the issue of online gambling regulation. The State Lottery Commission came out against Harry Reid ' s poker bill in 2010, but there's been little else of note since.

Is Pennsylvania Close to Regulating Online Poker?

Somewhat surprisingly, the answer seems to be no. While neighboring states (and direct competitors in the gambling space) Delaware and New Jersey are in the advanced stages of regulating online gambling, there hasn't been a serious legislative push to do the same in Pennsylvania. It's worth noting that the situation could change quickly; residents and lawmakers have shown a willingness to approve massive gambling expansions over the last few years and Pennsylvania could easily pivot on the issue once it starts to see inaction resulting in a competitive disadvantage.

Online Gambling Pennsylvania Law

Online Gambling Pennsylvania Laws

Ultimately, it seems as if the state is taking a wait-and-see approach on the issue of online poker. If Delaware or New Jersey - or perhaps even a slightly more distant neighbor such as New York or Massachusetts - finds even modest success with regulated online poker, expect Pennsylvania to rapidly follow suit. Otherwise, the state enjoys only an average chance of seeing regulated poker at any point in the near team.