This article answers the common question what gambling is legal in Pennsylvania by laying out each permitted activity, who regulates it, age and verification rules, and practical steps to confirm a platform or venue is properly licensed. It is aimed at Pennsylvania residents and visitors who want a clear, factual guide to legal gaming options and the compliance safeguards that protect players. The guide summarizes the regulated verticals, explains how online controls such as identity checks and geolocation work, and points to the official resources you can use to verify licensing and eligibility.

Pennsylvania allows casinos, iGaming, retail and mobile sports wagering, fantasy contests, VGTs at qualifying truck stops, the state lottery, and pari mutuel horse wagering.

Most PGCB regulated products require players to be 21; the Lottery and pari mutuel racing are open to those 18 and older.

Verify operator licensing through official PGCB and Pennsylvania Lottery license lists before you play.

At a glance: what gambling is legal in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania permits a range of state regulated gambling activities: land based casinos, interactive gaming including online slots, table games and poker, retail and mobile sports wagering, fantasy contests, video gaming terminals at qualifying truck stops, the Pennsylvania Lottery, and pari mutuel horse race wagering.

This regulated environment is overseen by specific agencies and programs, so these are legal only when offered by licensed operators and when compliance rules are followed (see our blog).

Key practical points are simple: most PGCB regulated verticals require age verification and in some cases geolocation to confirm that play occurs inside the Commonwealth.

Quick list of legal gambling verticals

Casinos and iGaming, including online slots, table games and poker.
Retail sportsbooks and licensed mobile sports wagering apps.
Fantasy contests run under regulated frameworks.
Video gaming terminals at qualifying truck stops.
Pennsylvania Lottery draw and instant games, including iLottery.
Pari mutuel horse race wagering at licensed venues and approved channels.

One-sentence legal summary for each vertical, with a regulator note in each line for clarity.

Casinos and iGaming are regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and offered through licensed land and approved interactive platforms, with rules covering licensing and play conditions Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Annual Report and see the PGCB 2024-2025 Annual Report.

Retail and mobile sports wagering operate under a PGCB sports wagering program with rules for licensees and technical controls designed to ensure lawful operation Part VIII Sports Wagering regulations.

The Pennsylvania Lottery provides draw, instant, and iLottery products offered to 18 and older players and subject to its own terms and consumer protections Pennsylvania Lottery terms and conditions.

Pari mutuel wagering on horse races is administered by the Horse Racing Commission and permitted through licensed racetracks and approved channels for players 18 and older Pari Mutuel Wagering guidance.

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Read on for a detailed breakdown of each vertical, the age rules that apply, and simple steps to verify whether a platform or venue is licensed in Pennsylvania.

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Who enforces gambling rules in PA and why regulation matters

The main regulators have distinct roles. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board administers casino gaming, interactive gaming, sports wagering, and video gaming terminal programs and publishes program overviews and compliance expectations in its annual reporting Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Annual Report.

The Pennsylvania Lottery manages lottery games including draw, instant, and iLottery offerings and sets age and purchase rules for those products Pennsylvania Lottery terms and conditions.

The Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission oversees pari mutuel wagering at racetracks and simulcast facilities, while the Department of Revenue issues guidance and rules for charitable games and Small Games of Chance operated by eligible organizations Pari Mutuel Wagering guidance.

Why regulation matters in practice: licensing creates a public record of authorized operators, while rules such as identity checks, age verification and technical safeguards reduce the risk of underage play and unlicensed offers.

Regulatory oversight also structures consumer protections and provides public reporting that stakeholders can use to confirm whether an operator is legitimate and compliant with state rules PGCB Annual Report and for related industry revenue context see industry revenue data.

Full breakdown: which gambling options are legal in PA and how they operate

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This section gives a short but detailed look at each legal vertical, how it is offered to Pennsylvanians, and what to expect when you use a licensed service.

Casinos and iGaming

State regulated casinos operate as licensed land based facilities and many license holders also offer interactive gaming. Interactive gaming covers online slot machines, table games and poker made available to players who meet identity and geolocation requirements Interactive Gaming regulations.

Retail and mobile sports wagering

Sports wagering in Pennsylvania includes retail sportsbooks located at licensed venues and mobile sports wagering apps operated by licensed entities. Both retail and mobile options are provided under PGCB sports wagering rules that require licensee compliance and operational controls Part VIII Sports Wagering regulations.

What gambling activities are legally available in Pennsylvania and what rules apply?

Pennsylvania permits casinos, interactive gaming, retail and mobile sports wagering, fantasy contests, video gaming terminals at qualifying truck stops, the state lottery, and pari mutuel horse wagering under state regulation. Each vertical has specific age and compliance rules enforced by state agencies including the PGCB, the Pennsylvania Lottery, and the Horse Racing Commission.

Pennsylvania Lottery and iLottery

The Pennsylvania Lottery offers traditional draw and instant tickets and operates iLottery for online purchases by eligible players 18 and older. Lottery terms and player rules are published by the Lottery and apply to purchases and prize claims Pennsylvania Lottery terms and conditions.

Pari mutuel horse wagering

Pari mutuel wagering on horse races is available at licensed racetracks, simulcast facilities and other approved channels, with the Horse Racing Commission overseeing operations and eligibility rules for bettors 18 and older Pari Mutuel Wagering guidance.

Fantasy contests and VGTs

Fantasy contests are reported and overseen within the PGCB regulated landscape and are presented as distinct skill based contest formats rather than traditional wagers.

What makes a contest fantasy rather than sportsbook betting

Key distinctions include contest design that rewards skillful forecasting and structured entry models where outcomes depend on player decisions rather than a single sporting result. This classification affects how regulators view and report the activity.

regulator license verification checklist

Check PGCB license list
Confirm operator disclosures
Verify age limits
Confirm geolocation policy
Check lottery or racing license
Confirm charitable registration

Use official regulator sources for each check

Why these differences matter

Fantasy contests may use different compliance controls and operational rules than sports wagering, even though both involve predicting sports performance; the PGCB Annual Report shows how these categories are tracked at the program level PGCB Annual Report.

Pari-mutuel horse wagering: where and how you can bet on races

Pari mutuel wagering on horse races is administered by the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission and is available to bettors 18 and older at licensed racetracks, simulcast facilities and other approved wagering channels Pari Mutuel Wagering guidance.

Where you can place legal horse bets

Licensed racetracks and simulcast facilities are the primary locations, with some approved platforms and channels permitted to accept pari mutuel wagers under commission rules.

Common rules and age basics

Betting rules are set by the commission and include the 18 and older requirement, standard pari mutuel pool structures, and procedures for claims and payouts that follow commission oversight.

Video gaming terminals (VGTs) and qualifying locations

VGTs are a distinct class of gaming devices permitted at qualifying truck stops under PGCB rules and related program provisions, separate from casino slot machines and subject to licensing and compliance obligations Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Annual Report.

Where VGTs appear and who can operate them

Only approved truck stops that meet program criteria can host VGTs and operators must follow PGCB licensing requirements. Players generally must be 21 to use VGTs in these locations.

Charitable gaming and small games of chance: rules for organizations

Charitable gaming, including Small Games of Chance and bingo, is limited to licensed eligible organizations and administered under Department of Revenue rules that set registration and reporting requirements Small Games of Chance guidance.

Who can run charitable games and common limitations

Eligible nonprofits and qualified organizations may operate defined charitable games after proper registration and compliance with reporting, prize limits and record keeping specified by the Department of Revenue.

Next steps for organizers

Contact the Department of Revenue or consult its guidance pages to confirm eligibility, the registration process, and any fees or reporting deadlines that apply.

Consumer protections, self-exclusion, and responsible play resources

Across regulated verticals, consumer protections include mandatory age verification, identity checks, self exclusion options and regulatory oversight designed to prevent unlicensed activity and protect vulnerable players PGCB Annual Report.

Self exclusion and where to get help

The PGCB and the Pennsylvania Lottery provide information on self exclusion and resources for problem gambling, and licensed operators are required to support those programs as part of their compliance obligations Part VIII Sports Wagering regulations.

Responsible play reminders

Participation does not guarantee winnings. Regulated platforms set rules and limits intended to promote fair play and safety, but players should monitor their own activity and use self exclusion or help resources if needed.

How to check if a platform or venue is licensed in Pennsylvania

Use official license lists published by the PGCB and the Pennsylvania Lottery to confirm whether an operator, app or venue is licensed and in good standing. The PGCB Annual Report and regulator sites provide authoritative license records that you can search PGCB Annual Report and the PGCB website.

What to look for on an operator site

Look for a license number, regulator disclosure, an address in Pennsylvania, and clear age restriction notices. If an operator does not display licensing information or claims to operate outside regulatory oversight, treat it with caution.

Quick verification checklist

Find the operator name and search the PGCB license list.
Confirm license details match the operator site disclosures.
Check whether the product you want is within the scope of that license, such as iGaming, sports wagering, lottery or pari mutuel.

For a quick external reference or to compare notes you can also visit our homepage.

Summary: key takeaways and next steps for Pennsylvanians

Top 5 quick takeaways: Pennsylvania permits casinos, iGaming, retail and mobile sports wagering, fantasy contests, VGTs at qualifying truck stops, the state lottery, and pari mutuel horse wagering under state regulation PGCB Annual Report.

Remember age rules: most PGCB regulated products require players to be 21, while the Lottery and pari mutuel racing are open to those 18 and older Pennsylvania Lottery terms and conditions.

Practical next steps: confirm your eligibility, verify an operator or venue on the PGCB or Lottery license lists, and use regulated platforms that apply identity checks and geolocation when required.

If you need more detail or an official record, consult the PGCB, the Pennsylvania Lottery, or the Horse Racing Commission for program level information and license lists Pari Mutuel Wagering guidance.

Is sports betting legal in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Retail and mobile sports wagering are legal in Pennsylvania under PGCB sports wagering rules, with licensed operators required to verify age and geolocation.

How old do I need to be to play online casino games in PA?

You must be 21 or older to play PGCB regulated online casino games and many other PGCB regulated verticals, while the Pennsylvania Lottery and pari mutuel racing allow 18 and older.

Where can I check if an app or venue is licensed in Pennsylvania?

Use the official license lists and publications from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the Pennsylvania Lottery to confirm licensing and disclosures.

Regulated gambling in Pennsylvania covers a broad set of activities but always depends on licensing and compliance. If you are unsure about a site or venue, check the PGCB or Pennsylvania Lottery records and contact regulators for confirmation. Use responsible play resources and self exclusion options if you have concerns about gambling activity, and treat verified licensing as the first line of defense against unlicensed offers.