Pennsylvania
Gambling Laws 2026

Sports betting is legal in Pennsylvania, one of 36 states where it is, as of May 2026. Commercial casinos are legal, as they are in 24 states, and online casino gambling is legal, one of 9 states that allow it. Pennsylvania has a state lottery, and horse racing is legal.

Pennsylvania has the second largest commercial casino market in the country by revenue, behind only Nevada. The state has 16 licensed commercial casinos including Parx Casino outside Philadelphia, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, and Wind Creek Bethlehem, distributed across the state. Sports betting launched in May 2018. Online casino gambling launched in July 2019, making Pennsylvania the third state to legalize it. The online market has grown substantially, with BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and multiple other operators offering slots and table games.

The lottery has operated since 1972 and is among the most active in the country. Horse racing at Parx, Presque Isle Downs, Penn National, and The Meadows continues under racino arrangements that integrate race tracks with casino facilities.

For residents, Pennsylvania offers one of the most complete gambling environments outside Nevada. Mobile sports betting works statewide. Online casino gambling is fully legal with a competitive market. A commercial casino is accessible from most population centers. The combination of online casino access and widespread physical facilities makes Pennsylvania comparable to New Jersey as one of the benchmark legal gambling states on the East Coast.

Second largest commercial casino market after NV. Online casino gambling legal since 2019. 16 commercial casinos.

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Also on Pennsylvania: the full Pennsylvania profile covers taxes, cost of living, crime and schools, and the county map lets you compare every county in the state. For related rules, read the Pennsylvania sex laws guide and the Pennsylvania country music guide.