Understanding PA's Online Gambling Laws Trying to get your head around the gambling laws in America can be tricky, especially as we are currently going through a process of significant changes. Not only does each state have its own regulations about what constitutes legal gambling, once you try to gamble online. Big and bad slots. Unibet Online Casino. SIGNUP BONUS$10 FREE. The law allowed the state to regulate and legalize these activities, but the law does not mean that every online casino site or sports betting app is suddenly legal in Pennsylvania. Only sites vetted, approved, and overseen by the Pennsylvania.
Trying to get your head around the gambling laws in America can be tricky, especially as we are currently going through a process of significant changes. Not only does each state have its own regulations about what constitutes legal gambling, once you try to gamble online, the rules change yet again. This is due to confusion surrounding a law from 1961 - known as the Federal Wire Act.
The Act's original purpose was to stop organizations being able to move money across state lines by laundering it through sports bets. However, the invention of the internet threw a spanner in the works. This is because content is designed to not only move across state lines, but also international borders.
In 2001 the decision was made to include all forms of sports betting and internet gambling in the interpretation of the Wire Act, meaning that all these activities were banned. But campaigners have been challenging that decision for years, and in 2011, the DOJ reversed its decision.
2018 saw yet another U-turn, with all internet gambling activities once again being banned under the Wire Act. But having seen how beneficial legalizing online gambling and sports betting could be, many states continue to fight against the current interpretation. In fact, many states have now started to review their gambling laws, to take into account the uses of new technology. Currently, 75% of US states have either legalized sports betting or are preparing to, with bills currently under discussion.
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Leading the Way
Pennsylvania was one of the first states to pass a bill proposing to legalize online sports betting, way back in 2016. Because of their high taxes, they currently have the highest annual tax revenue from the US casino market. They also have one of the fastest growing gambling industries, with the lottery alone making over $4 billion in annual revenue.
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It's not just sports betting that's legalized in PA either. Other gambling options quickly followed in 2017, with the following now legal in the state:
- Online casino games
- Online poker
- Online lottery
- Daily Fantasy Sports betting
- Tablet gaming
- Video gambling terminals
- Mini casinos
What Makes PA Different?
PA's diverse history has given its citizens an open view on gambling.
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PA doesn't have a long history with gambling, unlike other states like Louisiana. This probably worked in their favor in making changes to the rules.
Another reason why PA has a different attitude to gambling is because the original colonies were made up of a diverse range of settlers from all different backgrounds, cultures and religions. Without a unified opinion on the matter, like colonies in Utah who all followed the same religion, PA residents were more open to and accepting of new ideas.
The first state lottery and sports books were opened in the 1970s and regulations remained largely unchanged until the late 2000s.
PA and the UK
The United Kingdom has a similarly lenient view on gambling, recognizing, like PA, the value that taxing such enterprises can have on the economy.
By regulating the industry instead of banning gambling outright, the UK ensures that only top-quality casinos can operate. To be granted a gambling license in the UK, online providers must adhere to their rules. This includes:
- Agreeing to pay taxes
- Offer certain protections to their users
- Abide by the measures in place to reduce problem gambling.
In return, the UK benefits from a rapidly growing and thriving gambling industry, which declared a gross gambling yield of Pound 14.2 billion last economic year.
Part of the reason for the UK gambling industry's success is its ability to attract big name operators. Reputable businesses like 888casino are regulated by the Gambling Commission, so UK players can be assured they're getting a trusted service in their online casino offering.
Will the US Catch Up?
The legalization of online gambling is still up for debate in many states.
The US is decades behind other countries in terms of establishing a successful online gambling market. But those states which have decided to embrace the industry are on their way to catching up.
One reason for this is because they have been able to embrace the knowledge of existing providers, who have been invited to start offering their services to US customers. These online casino providers have either launched new operations in the US or partnered with US brands to benefit from their loyal customers. This has meant that any newly launched online casinos are already of high quality and host a good selection of available games.
With the industry able to start up quickly by using already developed brands, the US states which legalized online gambling should be well on their way to having a globally competitive industry. It looks unlikely that the entire country will follow suit, with as many as 25% of states still refusing to entertain the idea of legalizing any form of gambling. But in those that have opened their doors, business is booming, and many hope that their success will encourage other states to reconsider their current standing.
Sports betting enthusiasts in Pennsylvania received an early Christmas present with the launch of the BetMGM online sports betting platform on December 18, 2020.
The mobile sports betting app has officially become available after a brief soft launch testing period earlier in December. The expansion of the igaming product follows just two weeks after the launch of the online casino offering in the Keystone State and provides a generous 100% Deposit Match Bonus up to $500 for all new BetMGM PA customers.
Pennsylvania has become the seventh state in which the BetMGM mobile app is available.
Online Sports Betting and Rewards in Pennsylvania on BetMGM
The BetMGM mobile app promises to offer a “user-friendly sport betting experience” which is set to enable live in-play bets along with futures and parlay wagers. It is available for download on iOS and Android devices, and the online sports betting platform can also be accessed via desktop as well.
Furthermore, the M Life Rewards program has been integrated, which enables BetMGM customers in Pennsylvania to earn points towards their status based on gameplay. All accumulated points can then be redeemed at MGM Resorts properties nationwide.
In addition, the operator recently confirmed a partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers to become the team’s Official Gaming and Sports Betting Partner on November 24, 2020. As part of the deal, BetMGM will be the sponsor of the Steelers Kickoff pregame show and will be prominently featured via in-stadium promotions during games.
Launch Path for the BetMGM Casino in Pennsylvania
BetMGM, in conjunction with Roar DigitalLLC, received an Interactive Gaming Operator License by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) on October 28.
Then, on December 1 it conducted a soft launch testing period of online casino games (including slots and table games) in partnership with the Penn National Gaming’s Hollywood Casino. The testing period was spread over three consecutive days until December 3, during which players were able to access a limited amount of games for eight, ten and twelve hours respectively.
Following the successful soft launch, the full scope of casino products then became available towards the end of the first week in December and has given BetMGM PA customers access to “more than 140 different games.” This represents the “widest range of content currently available in the state,” according to BetMGM CEO Riches of babylon slot. Adam Greenblatt.
BetMGM PA Welcome Bonus Offers
The BetMGM PA Online Casino offered $25 in Freeplay and a $1000 Deposit Match Bonus as part of its Welcome Bonus package. And to celebrate its opening, the site is hosting a Launch Party Sweepstakes promotion that awarded a luxury pickup truck in the first week. The launch party celebrations continue with different Grand Prizes each week.
Furthermore, five free spins can be claimed every Friday in December by opting in and depositing at least $10.
While online casino games and sports betting have now become a reality on BetMGM in Pennsylvania, any official plans with regards to online poker in the Keystone State have yet to be announced. The online gaming platform on the partypoker US Network in New Jersey is operated by Roar Digital LLC, which hosts partypoker NJ, BetMGM NJ and Borgata Poker as part of its network. An expansion to states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan seems very likely but will have to wait until 2021.
BetMGM Michigan $100 Preregistration Bonus for Casino and Sports
Michigan will become the next regulated online gambling market to launch in the US, and things might move rapidly in the days and weeks to come.
BetMGM was among the 15 gaming platform providers to be granted a provisional license by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB).
In preparation of the online casino and online sports betting launch expected in early 2021, BetMGM Michigan has started offering a preregistration bonus. All players who open a new account through January 4th, 2021 will receive a free $100 bonus that can be used in the upcoming casino and sportsbook.
As far as online poker in Michigan, it is expected to come just after online casino games and sportsbooks go live.
Poker players in Michigan will also be excited to know that the Interstate Online Poker Bill has finally passed in the Michigan House of Representatives and will be presented to Governor Gretchen Whitmer to sign into law shortly.
This likely means that players in Michigan will be able to compete against online poker players in New Jersey in 2021. Shared liquidity across state lines is also a good sign that Pennsylvania will consider a similar measure as well.