Pa Online Poker Update

The online gambling world doesn't sleep, even to say hello to December. The path looks clear for 2019 as the new regulations are getting ready for the next year. Let's take a look:

PokerStars officially approved to offer online poker in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) approved The Stars Group petition to offer online gambling services (online poker, casino, and sports betting) within the state, in accordance with its alliance with Mount Airy. It seems that PokerStars strategy to conquer the US market is working because just the last week we confirmed another key partnership with Eldorado Resorts.

Although this step is just a formality, it clearly shows that the USA poker market will be different in 2019 and the poker rooms offer will increase. Worldpokerdeals will keep offering safe access to alternative poker networks as Chico, WPN, Bodog, and private reservations for our VIP players.

But the PokerStars PA approval wasn't the only relevant news: Mohegan Sun, one of the biggest US tribes also received its approval but it was known that they withdrew their online poker application and will offer only sports betting and casino games

Online poker will go live in Pennsylvania in early 2019 and a total of 6 licenses are still available from the gambling authorities; the Total Table Games (which includes poker) Q3 Gross Revenue was $211MUSD, and we expect to see the market growth next year.

PA Online Poker – News, Updates, and Poker Site Info Pennsylvania is the fourth state to offer regulated online poker. Players in the Keystone State are currently only able to play on PokerStars PA but more operators are expected to launch by early 2020. The player view of Pennsylvania online poker. It’s been a long wait for players yearning for online poker’s expansion in the U.S. The possibility of Pennsylvania coming onboard offers some hope. Longtime poker pro, Matt Glantz, told USPoker this week that poker isn’t a priority for online gaming operations. Glantz has served a consultant. That’s part of the reason why Pennsylvania online gamblers are out of luck for the World Series of Poker online events unless they travel to New Jersey or Nevada. That could soon be changing, however. Party Poker, WSOP.com and 888 have all made inroads recently in terms of opening up their doors in the state.

Spain reveals Q3 gambling results with a clear market growth

The DGOJ (Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego) released the Q3 gambling results report of the gambling market:

• Betting: €96,7M (53,72%)
• Casino: €60,8M (33,48%)
• Poker: €19,8M (10,9%)
• Bingo: €3,1M (1,73%)
• Contests: €0,32M (0,18%)

The marketing expending was €75,86M which has caused controversy in Spain because gambling commercials have appeared in prime time.

Online poker presents a 1,87% growth compared to the last trimester and a 35,11% compared to last year's Q3. This is clearly supported by the shared liquidity approved this year, and we expect another growth because of new operators like Aconcagua which will enter the market in 2019. iPoker also will support the industry development as is the last poker room offering games both for Spanish and French players.

Stay tuned on our Telegram channel for more EV+ news.

With new casinos launching regularly, you can expect most everything available in a brick and mortar casino, and in many instances, even more. Pennsylvania online casinos offer a mix of table games, slot machine games, and bonus offers. Some casinos will offer you a no-deposit bonus when you sign up, while others will have a deposit bonus.

All of the casinos are mobile ready, with dedicated apps and you can choose between free and real money games.

The list of casinos below feature 50+ slot machines, blackjack, roulette and baccarat. There are a few progressive slots on hand in addition to a few games you’ll recognize from your local casino.

Are online casino games legal in PA?

Yes. In October 2017, Gov. Tom Wolf signed the state’s massive gambling expansion bill. The legislation created a wealth of new gaming opportunities in the Keystone State, including:

• Online casinos, both slots, and table games
• Sports betting
• Online poker
• Online lottery
• Keno
• Virtual sports
• Satellite casinos
• Video gambling terminals (VGTs)
• Airport gambling

This lengthy list does not mean that Pennsylvania gambling is now a free-for-all. There is a big difference between regulated and unregulated gambling.

The easiest way to tell whether an online casino is legal in PA is to determine if it is regulated by Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Look for the PGCB seal (pictured above). Or, if you are unsure, you can visit the PGCB website.

Unlike illegal offshore casinos, regulated online casino markets mean customers:

• Know their funds and personal info are safe and secure
• All casino offerings are fair and meet the high standards of PGCB
• Can report any issues or concerns to PGCB for recourse

The PGCB approved ten PA casinos for their interactive gaming licenses and most rolled out their online products in time for Super Bowl 2020.

The only two potential new licensees still in the process are out-of-state applicants BetMGM and Golden Nugget. Both are approved qualified gaming entities. However, neither has been approved for a license as of yet.

Free and Real Money Casino Games

Perhaps the only thing better than being able to play casino games on your laptop or desktop computer, mobile phone and tablet, is being able to play the games for free.

That’s right, the best PA online casinos all offer free-to-play demos of most, if not all of the games they host. These demos give you the unique chance to try before you buy, as you can test out the demo extensively before you put your hard earned money on the line.

This truly is one of the great advantages to playing casino games online in PA. Try walking into a brick and mortar casino and asking if you can demo the roulette or blackjack games inside. It’s not going to happen. PA online casinos are the only ones giving you the chance to play for free and you can do it until you’ve mastered all of a game’s intricacies.

You can even win real money playing for free. Just take advantage of the many bonuses the best PA online casinos offer.

What you’re looking for are the no-deposit bonus offers from PA online casinos. Try Unibet, which gives everyone who registers for a new account using the bonus code UBCASINO10 a free $10 sign-up bonus.

You have to gamble with the money to fulfill the wagering requirement, and you can only do it on certain games. However, any winnings you accrue will be yours to keep. Do that and you’ll have successfully earned real money playing for free at a PA online casino.

Try it at Hollywood Casino too, where you are entitled to a $25 free no-deposit bonus when you sign up through our exclusive link and use the promotion code WELCOME to register.

Hollywood Casino will credit the $25 to your bonus account and that money will not be available for withdrawal right away. However, any money you win using your bonus funds will be automatically transferred to your cash account, which you can then use to continue playing or withdraw. Either way, you’ll have once again earned real money playing casino games for free right here in PA.

Online Casino Apps

PA casino apps essentially turn your mobile phone or tablet into an online casino available 24/7 wherever you are inside Pennsylvania.

You can download most mobile casino apps for iOS and Android devices. They don’t take up too much space. Plus, they give you access to a decent selection of the same casino games you’ll find on PA casino websites and all the account functions you’ll ever need to register and get money on and off the online casino.

All advertised online casino bonuses in PA can also be claimed using these apps.

Click the following links to find reviews of the best PA online casinos on the market with access to the top bonus offers and download links for mobile casino apps in Pennsylvania:

• Caesars Online Casino PA
• Parx Casino PA
• BetAmerica Casino PA
• Wind Creek Casino

Casino games available at Pennsylvania online casinos

The list of casino games mirrors what you will find at your favorite PA casino. Games available include:

Slot Machines in PA: Online casinos in Pennsylvania offer everything from online versions of classic reel slots to the latest themed video slots based on the best TV shows, movies, and recording artists of all time. There’s penny slots you can spin for as little as a dime and progressive jackpot slots offering you the chance to win life changing money.

The goal of lining up three or more of the highest paying symbols is mostly the same with every slot game. Even with all kinds of wild and scatter symbols, bells, whistles, and bonus games, online slots remain the easiest casino games to play as luck does all the heavy lifting.

Here’s a look at the top ten slots currently available at PA online casinos in alphabetical order:

• Baywatch
• Cleopatra
• Divine Fortune
• Flowers
• Guns N’ Roses Video Slots
• Jackpot Shores
• Jimi Hendrix Online Slot
• Siberian Storm
• Starburst
• Wheel Of Fortune Extreme Triple Spin

Online Roulette in PA: Roulette is among the most popular games in any casino, online or off. It’s played with a small numbered spinning wheel and a ball. Players place bets on a number, range of numbers, red or black, or high or low numbers.

French and European roulette wheels contain 37 numbered pockets with varying red and black colors and a single green zero. American roulette wheels contain 38 numbered pockets with varying red and black colors, a green zero, and a green double zero. The wheel is spun, a small ball is sent spinning in the opposite direction and eventually lands in one of the pockets. Exactly where it lands determines the outcome of the spin and the various bets.

At PA online casinos, which employ both American and European roulette wheels for a variety of different roulette games, this all happens with a graphic interface mimicking the wheel spin. A computerized random number generator actually determines the outcome.

The odds change rather dramatically between American and European roulette wheels. In fact, the house edge on European Roulette is 2.3% compared to 5.26% for American Roulette.

Online Blackjack in PA: Blackjack, or 21, is far and away the most popular table game in any casino, online or off.

You take on the dealer in an attempt to get 21, or as close to it as you can without going over. All face cards are worth ten and aces can be used as one or eleven. Players are dealt two cards and can choose to draw one at a time as long as they are under 21. Go over and you lose your original bet.

The dealer is also dealt two cards with one showing. Once a player hits 21, goes over, or stands, the dealer draws based on a specific set of rules for each blackjack variant. There is just one blackjack variant offered by Pennsylvania online casinos.

If you hit Blackjack, or 21, with your first two cards, there is a bonus. The game is dealt from a shoe of multiple decks.

Blackjack has one of the smallest house edges among table games, which explains part of its popularity.

Blackjack rules mandated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, include:

• Blackjack pays 3:2
• You can double down on any two cards
• Dealer stands on soft 17
• You can Split up to three hands (except aces)
• You can double down after splits
• Late surrender is available, allowing you to give up half the bet when the dealer doesn’t have blackjack

Video Poker in PA: Video Poker can be found among the banks of slot machines at most land-based casinos. There’s often a variety of video poker games at casinos and the same holds true at PA online casinos.

In fact, the video poker games offered at PA online casinos are usually the same ones you’ll find inside brick and mortar casinos. This includes familiar titles like:

• Game King Video Poker
• Bonus Poker
• Double Bonus Poker
• Jacks or Better
• Deuces Wild

In general, video poker is draw poker using a computerized random number generator to determine the value of cards.

Payout rates are relatively high on video poker machines, adding to the game’s popularity. The games also feature simple rules, requiring just a basic understanding of poker hand rankings. Hitting a royal flush remains the ultimate video poker goal as the payouts are often pretty big.

Do not expect games like virtual sports and Keno at your online casinos in PA. These games are the turf of the Pennsylvania Lottery. They are currently available at PA Lottery monitors in bars and taverns and many are now available online at the PA Lottery’s online site, but they will not be debuting on PA online casino sites.

Online Casino Games in PA

Online Craps in PA: Craps is a dice game where players wager on the outcome of each roll in an attempt to repeat the initial roll. It’s one of the most social games in land-based casinos and the online version offers a good way to learn the game. It is not currently available at online casinos in PA.

3 Card Poker: 3 Card Poker is a casino card game. The goal is to make a better poker hand with three cards than the dealer.

Pa Online Poker Bill Update

You place an ante wager, three cards are dealt, and you can choose to either fold or continue by making a play wager equal to the original ante bet. If the dealer does not have queen-high or better all bets are paid 1-to-1. If the dealer has queen-high or better, you must make a better hand to get paid 1-to-1. A tie is a push.

It is not currently available at PA online casinos.

Online Baccarat in PA: Baccarat is a casino card game that is popular in Asia. A dealer spreads out Two two-card hands; one for the banker and another for the player. You bet on which one will be closer to a value of nine.

Face cards and 10s have a value of zero. Aces are worth one. All other cards have the value printed on the card. If the value of either hand is eight or nine, it is considered a natural and ends the game. If the cards add up to more than 10 points only the second digit is used.

If the value of the player hand is five or less, another card is dealt. The dealer draws again according to a prescribed set of rules for the card that was dealt to the player.

An online version of the game is currently available at a variety of Pennsylvania casinos online.

Pai Gow Poker in PA: Pai Gow Poker is a poker-based card game. You get seven cards in an attempt to make the best five-card and two-card poker hands you can. The five-card hand must be your best. The objective is to beat both the dealer’s five-card and two-card hands. Or, win one to earn a push.

It is not currently available at real money PA casinos.

Ultimate Texas Hold’em in PA: Ultimate Texas Hold’em, or Casino Hold’em, is a casino game based on the popular Texas Hold’em poker game. The difference is that instead of taking on other players, Ultimate Texas Hold’em pits you against the dealer only.

The object is to make a better five-card poker hand than the dealer using your two cards and five community cards.

It is not currently available at PA casinos online.

Live dealer games

Unlike online versions of games like roulette and blackjack that rely on a random number generator and computer graphics, these games play just like you are in a casino.

That is because these games feature a real person as your dealer, dealing real cards, and spinning a real roulette wheel. Cameras in a studio capture the action and players online can even chat and interact with their dealers.

The result is the comfort of playing the game in the comfort of your home or on the go on your phone but with the fun and social interaction of a PA brick and mortar casino.

Progressive jackpot slots

A few Pennsylvania online gambling sites offer progressive slots to attract players as well.

PA online casinos offer some of the more popular progressive slots titles like Divine Fortune, Mercy of the Gods, and Jackpot Shores.

The PA guidelines on minimum returns to the player are some of the lowest in the nation, making for notoriously tight slot machines. On the flip side, progressive slots also have the potential for the biggest payouts.

Online casino bonuses in PA

Online casinos try to win new customers with tempting offers to sign up for accounts on the site. Our site will provide you with information on the best offers and exclusive bonus codes to ensure you always get the best deal.

No deposit bonus: One of the advantages to playing at a PA casino is that you can test out the casino without having to put money on the site. These promotions, called no deposit casino bonuses, will offer small amounts like $10 or $25 in exchange for creating a new account.

Welcome bonus: Deposit bonuses offer bigger monetary offers in exchange for customers depositing on the site. A first deposit bonus typically matches your first deposit at 100% up to a maximum of $200 or $250.

Reload offers: Most PA online casinos offer big welcome bonuses for new players that almost always include first-time deposit match bonuses. Make your first deposit and they’ll match it with a bonus up to a certain amount.

Reload offers are a similar thing PA online casinos do for existing customers who may have already taken advantage of the welcome bonus. Essentially, reload offers are deposit match bonuses you can use for any deposit other than your first one. Make a deposit and they’ll match it with a bonus up to a certain amount.

These reload offers come with wagering requirements attached, so you’re going to have to gamble with your bonus money, but any winnings accrued will be yours to keep. Check with the specific PA online casino making the reload offer for full details and terms and conditions, including wagering requirements.

Free spins bonus: Most PA online casinos offer big welcome bonuses for new players that sometimes include free spins on a specific slot or group of slots. Register for an account and you’ll receive the free spins. Win anything using the spins and it’s yours to keep.

Some PA online casinos may also offer existing customers a free spins bonus for volume play or for making a new deposit. Do what the PA online casino asks and you’ll receive the free spins. Win anything using the spins and it’s yours to keep.

All casino bonuses come with terms and conditions, like a wagering or playthrough requirement. Be sure to check what the bonus entails.

Pa Online Poker Updates

If you want to test the games that a PA real money casino has to offer, you don’t have to reach for your wallet. Most games come with a free-to-play demo mode where customers can try before depositing any money.

PA casino loyalty programs

Just like PA brick and mortar casinos reward loyal players, online casinos have programs where players can earn cash, prizes, and other rewards in exchange for playing on the site.

One example players can already take advantage of is iRush Rewards. The system allows sports bettors on both Rivers and SugarHouse to earn rewards and move up a tiered system that offers bigger rewards to higher-level players.

In fact, many of these online promotional programs will sync up with your brick and mortar account. Here are some of the programs we know will interlink online and brick and mortar:

• Caesars Rewards (Harrah’s Philadelphia)
• Rush Rewards (SugarHouse and Rivers)
• MyxClub (Parx)

How to deposit and cash out at Pennsylvania online casinos

Getting money on and off online gambling sites in PA is relatively straightforward. For some sites, the deposit options may begin relatively limited, but should eventually expand to include:

• Credit cards
• Electronic checks (ACH deposits)
• Cash deposits at the casino
• Online payment processors such as PayPal (currently not available)
• Prepaid debit card
• PayNearMe at 7Eleven, CVS, and other retail establishments

Withdrawal options are generally limited to the method you used to deposit. For some deposit methods, instead, players will need to opt for a check in the mail.

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What does the PA online gambling market look like?

Most everyone is getting involved in the PA online casino and sports betting industries in one way or another. In fact, there are also several outside companies taking part.

Here is a look at all the companies involved in online casinos, who their partners are, and where they are in the process:

Full list of conditionally approved PA online casinos

PGCB conditionally approved the following casinos for online slots and online table games. Some can also offer online poker.

Mohegan Sun Pocono

Mohegan Sun was on a bit slower schedule than its peers, as one of the last casinos to present online casino plans. It announced in 2019 it would work with Kindred for online gaming. The Unibet online casino brand finally went live in Pennsylvania in November, 2019.

Mohegan partners with Pala Interactive for online betting products and does not have an online poker license.

PlaySugarHouse

The first of the online sportsbooks to launch, PlaySugarHouse Pennsylvania has an integrated online casino and sportsbook. The PA online casino uses the proprietary Rush Street Interactive platform.

PlaySugarHouse.com PA is available as an integrated Android app that users can download directly from the site. If you want to access the site on an iPhone, you can do so via your browser, but first, you have to download and enable the third-party GeoGuard app from GeoComply.

BetRivers

BetRivers is the online casino and sportsbook product from Rivers Casino Pittsburgh. While it looks like a near-clone of its sister site, PlaySugarHouse, they are actually two different entities.

Operating under the Rivers Philadelphia license, the casino is integrated with the BetRivers online sportsbook.

With all of Rivers’ online gaming products operating on the Rush Street platform, there is vast opportunity to pool resources when it comes to online gambling marketing and promotions across Pennsylvania.

Hollywood Casino

Hollywood Casino at Penn National is the flagship property of Penn National Gaming. The PA-based casino company is relatively new to the online casino game. Accordingly, it inked a deal with IGT to power its online casino product.

IGT’s PlayDigital platform debuted in the US when HollywoodCasino.com launched in Pennsylvania in 2019. It was the first online casino to go live in Pennsylvania.

The platform features the biggest slot library on the market. Additionally, it offers the popular IGT Game King video poker suite with nine different video poker variants.

On May 1, 2020 DraftKings Casino went live, becoming the second online gaming site under the Hollywood interactive gaming license.

Hollywood Casino also is supposed to launch an online poker site, but given that they are starting from scratch and up against seasoned competitors, we do not expect this project to be a priority for Penn.

After a deal for sports betting with William Hill fell through, Hollywood is now working with Kambi to eventually launch an online sportsbook that will carry the branding of a new partner, Barstool Sports.

Harrah’s and Caesars Online Casino

A product of Caesars Interactive Entertainment (CIE), Caesars Casino was a relative latecomer to Pennsylvania launching in April, 2020. It launched with a limited offering of games but is expected to expand drastically over time.

With Caesars online casino, you can take advantage of one of the best rewards programs in the business, Caesars Rewards. Your online play translates into brick and mortar casino rewards at any Caesars properties across the country.

Valley Forge Casino

Valley Forge Casino was banking on the popularity of the FanDuel brand to bring both its online sportsbook and online casino into prominence within Pennsylvania, and it hasn’t disappointed.

In 2019, Valley Forge launched FanDuel Sportsbook. Since then, it has established itself as one of the top online sportsbooks in the state.

In January 2020, Pennsylvania broke new ground as the first state to offer FanDuel Casino. The online casino is accessible within the FanDuel Sportsbook app. In June 2020, they followed up with a standalone online casino app.

Presque Isle Downs

The Churchill Downs-owned Presque Isle Downs decided early on not to offer poker, but to move forward on an online casino.

The casino inked deals with SBTech and Golden Nugget (for NJ online products). For SBTech, it was the first US partnership on a sports betting platform.

The BetAmerica PA online sportsbook launched in late December 2019 and the casino went live in late January 2020. Rumors emerged in summer 2020 that CDI would be migrating from SBTech to GAN for casino and Kambi for sports betting.

Mount Airy Casino

Mount Airy Casino has a big-time partner for its online gambling offering in The Stars Group (TSG). While TSG is better known for its online poker client, PokerStars, it is also a veteran online casino provider. Both sites launched in early November.

What’s unique is the PokerStars client presents online poker, online casino, and sports betting from FOX Bet in a single place. Users can easily jump from one vertical to another with a united account and shared wallet, without leaving the client or the app.

They have also added a FOX Bet Casino, which is another skin of their PokerStars Casino site.

Wind Creek

The new kid on the block, Wind Creek is probably better known to Pennsylvania gambling enthusiasts by its previous name, Sands Bethlehem.

The Wind Creek rebranding happened in late 2019 after official transfer of ownership in late May. Wind Creek’s owners, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, announced general plans for online gambling.

In January, 2020 news of a partnership between Wind Creek and UK-based Betfred dropped. The Wind Creek online casino, in partnership with provider Pala Interactive, went live in late July 2020. Wind Creek did not opt to purchase a conditional online poker license.

Stadium Casino / Philly Live! project

We know Stadium’s owner, Cordish, plans to get involved in both sports betting and online casino even before the casino opens in early 2021. The group already has a retail sportsbook deal in place with FanDuel.

Their grand opening plans may be delayed due to coronavirus restrictions stalling construction. More news on their plans should be available as the year progresses. Live! does not have an online poker license.

Parx Casino

Parx was the second casino to get an online sportsbook product up and running in the state, joining the SugarHouse PA product.

Parx and its partner GAN launched Parx Online Casino in 2019 with a library of slot titles, video poker, roulette, and baccarat. In January 2020, they announced plans to offer live dealer games online.

The four land-based casinos that will not offer online poker are:

• Presque Isle Downs
• Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia (opening early 2021)
• Wind Creek (formerly Sands Bethlehem)
• Mohegan Sun Pocono

That leaves three casinos sitting out of online gambling. Rivers Casino Pittsburgh initially applied, but rescinded its application. Its sister property, the rebranded Rivers Philadelphia, did get a license and now has two online casino skins: PlaySugarHouse and BetRivers (available through BetRivers sports betting app.)

Lady Luck Nemacolin and The Meadows are not taking part, deferring to their sister properties of Presque Isle and Hollywood Casino respectively.

Other online gambling offers in Pennsylvania

PA online lottery games

As part of the gambling expansion law, the state legalized PA online lottery. Pennsylvania’s iLottery launched in 2017 with a dozen or so online instant games.

These online instant games are like a scratch-off ticket you would buy at the store, but more interactive. Online instants often include bonus games in addition to the scratch-off component, allowing you to multiply your winnings on each ticket.

As part of the rollout, the PA Lottery also introduced a revamped PA Lottery mobile app. You can use the app to play instant games, check winning numbers, and scan your draw tickets to find out if you have a winner.

Since January 2020, PA lottery players can purchase Mega Millions and Powerball tickets online through the iLottery platform. They have since added more draw games to the online options.

PA online poker update

Eventually, there are supposed to be eight different PA online poker sites up and running in the state. As of now, there is one. PokerStars PA launched with great success in November, 2019.

These other online poker operators are expected to get up and running in PA once they are ready and vetted by the PGCB, with WSOP.com and partypoker expected to launch next.

• Harrah’s Philadelphia (WSOP.com)
• MGM (partypoker)
• Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
• Parx Casino
• Wind Creek Casino
• Rivers Casino Philadelphia
• Valley Forge Resort Casino

Responsible gaming at PA online gambling sites

Another great asset in a regulated online casino market is the array of responsible gambling tools at a player’s disposal.

In Pennsylvania, there is a separate self-exclusion list managed by PGCB. Players who want to ban themselves from playing on any regulated PA online casino can do so through them. This list is separate from the brick and mortar self-exclusion list.

Additionally, many online sites, both sports betting and casino, offer means of controlling your play with things like:

• Deposit limits
• Betting limits
• Time limitations
• Cooling off periods

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler

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