PA Betting Laws Explained
Are Online Slots Legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes, it’s completely legal to play online slots in the Keystone State. Governor Tom Wolf legalized online casino gambling back in 2017 when he signed gambling expansion bill HB 271 into law. In doing so, he ensured the state followed in the footsteps of Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware by putting online slots — along with online versions of classic table games like blackjack, baccarat, and roulette — firmly on the menu for gambling fans.
The first opportunity to enjoy online casino gaming in Pennsylvania came courtesy of the simultaneous launches of Parx Casino, Hollywood Casino, and PlaySugarHouse in July 2019. Though other online casinos, including PokerStars and FanDuel, soon followed.
All Pennsylvania casinos, whether operating online or on land, are regulated and licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). This organization was created in 2004 when PA lawmakers passed the Pennsylvania Racehorse Development and Gaming Act, legalizing slot machines at racetracks and brick-and-mortar casinos across the state.
How do Slots Work?
While many casino players like to deploy some kind of strategy to help improve their chances in games like poker and blackjack, luck alone determines whether your symbols will form winning paylines in a slot game. To ensure that each spin is random, slot games utilize random number generators to decide the outcome of each spin.
This online gambling technology, which uses a complex mathematical algorithm to generate unpredictable results, means that you’ll never be ‘due’ a win. In this way, RNGs ensure a fair playing field for casino users and a completely random result every time.
Getting to Grips with the Basic Slot Gameplay
One of the attractions to slot titles is how easy they are to play. All you need to do is place your bet and hit the spin button. When the reels stop, you’ll see if your spin was a lucky one. Although many contemporary slot games feature free spins rounds and bonus games-within-games — sometimes featuring arcade-style gameplay — the essential slot mechanic is always the same: match symbols on a payline to win.
You may have to set the value of your coins and the number of paylines you want to play, but that’s a very straightforward process. By betting on multiple paylines, you increase your chances of winning, but remember that your stake size will increase as you cover more lines. It’s worth noting that some slot games require players to ‘bet the max’ to have a chance of winning the biggest jackpot.
The Slot Titles Available to Pennsylvania Players
From fruit machine-style games to progressive jackpot titles, online slots sites in Pennsylvania offer games to suit every online gambler. Here are some of the real money slots you can enjoy:
Classic Slots
Classic slots have a retro feel, three to five reels that almost always spin in the same direction, a small number of paylines, and, often, a few bars and lucky 7s, too. The simplicity of titles like the jukebox-themed Diamond Duke makes them a great choice for new players.
Video Slots
Combining classic slot gameplay with cutting edge graphics, imaginative story arcs, and blistering soundtracks, video slots take slot play to the next level. Some titles, like the tattoo-themed Hot Ink Slot, offer more than 1,000 ways to win, as well as bonus rounds and free spins.
Penny Slots
Penny slots like Double Tigers are a great choice for players who want to play real money games with a small bankroll. These slots may allow you to play for as little as one cent per spin, but remember that ‘betting the max’ might see you covering multiple paylines.
Progressive Jackpot Slots
While many slots have a fixed amount you can win, the grand prizes on progressive jackpot games keep on growing. Whether a standalone slot or linked to others across a network of casinos, the size of the game’s prize pot grows as players place their bets. Titles like Hall of Gods and Mega Moolah pay out hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars to lucky winners.
Understanding the Slot Payout Rates
The return to player (RTP) percentage of a slot is an important piece of data, as it indicates the theoretical payout rate a player can expect from a particular game, when played over a long period. PGCB regulations demand that slot games in Pennsylvania have an RTP of at least 85%.
To put this into context, a game with 85% RTP will pay out $85 on average for every $100 wagered. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind this number is based upon an infinite number of spins, so real-world winnings may differ greatly from this figure.
In practice, most online slots have an RTP of at least 90%, though some titles, such as NetEnt’s Mega Joker and Jackpot 6000 slots, have an RTP that sits closer to 99%.
Try Out A Pennsylvania Slot Site on Your Mobile
Players are increasingly choosing to play online slots using their mobile devices, so it’s little wonder that software developers are creating games with these users in mind. The best Pennsylvania online casinos have mobile-optimized sites, meaning you can access real money slots through your phone browser, wherever you are.
Online casinos including BetMGM and DraftKings also offer bespoke casino apps you can download. Available for both Android and iOS, these free apps are super-convenient, as they remove the need to open up your browser in order to play online slots. You simply tap the app and choose a game. Mobile casino apps also give instant access to table and live dealer games, and provide push notifications that alert you to the latest promos and bonus codes.
Claim a Slot Bonuses to Boost Your Bankroll
The best online casinos in Pennsylvania feature a range of bonus offers to attract new players and keep existing ones loyal. Here are just some of the casino promos you can claim.
Free Spins
Free spins bonuses are common at PA online casinos. A casino might award a batch of free spins upon registration, or after a player makes their first deposit. The release of a new slot title may also prompt a free spins offer, to encourage players to give the game a try.
Matched Deposit
Deposit match offers see a player’s deposit matched with an amount in bonus funds. Since the percentage matched can often reach as high as 200%, these matched deposit bonuses can give your bankroll a serious boost.
No Deposit Bonus
Among the most popular casino offers, no deposit bonuses don’t require you to spend any real money at all. They’re straight-up freebies gifted to you for signing up to an online casino, although they do tend to be on the modest side. You may also have to fulfil wagering or playthrough requirements to cash out any bonus winnings.
Bonus Terms and Conditions
It’s normal for casinos to attach restrictions to bonuses. Wagering requirements, for example, require that you play through any winnings you receive from free spins a set number of times. Free spins also tend to be restricted to specific slot games, while caps on winnings and time limits might also apply.
Play Slots for Free
Playing online slots for real money is one thing, but did you know you can also play slot titles without spending a dime? Most slots have free play or demo modes that let you do precisely that. You can’t win real money from free slots, but they are a great way for newbies to enjoy slots for the first time and for experienced players to get to grips with a new title. To help prevent underage players from accessing online casinos, you will need to verify your age, even before playing demo and free-to-play slots.
Here are some of the banking methods available at online and mobile casinos in Pennsylvania.
Deposits
To play real money online casino games, you will need to fund your online gambling account. Top-rated PA casinos like Unibet and BetRivers offer a range of secure payment methods, including debit and credit cards, bank and ACH transfers, and e-wallets like PayPal and PayNearMe. Prepaid options, including Play+ and prepaid Visa and Mastercard, are also available. When making a deposit, be sure to confirm that the method you choose is eligible for any welcome bonuses.
Withdrawals
If you strike it lucky and earn a payout, you’ll need to understand how to get your winnings out of the casino and into your pocket. As with deposits, several withdrawal methods are available. Some of the most popular options include ACH transfers and PayPal withdrawals. But if you don’t mind waiting for the post, you can usually request that the casino send a paper check to your mailbox.
It’s worth noting that you can also make both deposits and withdrawals by visiting the cashier cage at the land-based casino partner of your chosen site. For example, let’s say you’re playing slots on the Hollywood Casino app. If you win the jackpot and want to get your hands on the cash straight away, you can head to the Hollywood Casino at Penn National to do so!
Ready to Try Out a Pennsylvania Slot Site?
There are a wide variety of slot titles available to players at Pennsylvania’s top online casinos. From progressive titles, video slots and classic three-reelers, there’s something for everyone. So just read through our list of top rated online slot sites, compare games libraries, bonuses and more, then sign up to the one that suits you best.
Whether you play slot games on online gambling sites or place bets at online sportsbooks, responsible gaming is a must. Players who are struggling with a gambling problem, or those people with concerns for a loved one, can access help and support around the clock.
Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania
Phone: 1-800-GAMBLER®
Address: PO Box 444, Spring House, PA 19477-0444
National Problem Gambling Helpline
Phone/Text: 1-800-522-4700
Address: 730 11th St, NW, Ste 601, Washington, DC 20001
Your questions, answered
As well as casino games, Pennsylvania permits legal retail and online sports betting, lottery and bingo games, and daily fantasy sports (DFS). In-person poker rooms and online poker sites are also available.
Best is a subjective concept, so it really just depends on what you’re looking for. Some sites will offer a generous welcome bonus with low wagering requirements, while others will provide players with a more expansive games library. As such, make sure you know what it is you want out of a slots site before you sign up.
No. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, you’ll need to be inside state lines to gamble at Pennsylvania online casinos. You will, however, be able to open a new account or manage an existing one from outside Pennsylvania.
Land casinos in Pennsylvania include Wind Creek, Valley Forge Casino Resort, Mount Airy Casino Resort, and Pittsburgh’s Rivers Casino. There are also several ‘racinos’ that combine horse racing and gambling. These include Mohegan Sun Pocono, The Meadows Racetrack and Casino, and Presque Isle Downs.
Players must be at least 21 years old to wager real money on casino games, including slots, poker, and table games.
