Learn the ins and outs of Pennsylvania’s regulated iGaming market.

Pennsylvania opened its legal iGaming market in 2019. With dozens of online casinos to choose from today, it’s quickly become one of the most player-friendly markets in the United States. This Pennsylvania online casino guide breaks down how PA’s regulated market works hard to put players first.

Caesars Palace Online Casino is regulated in Pennsylvania 

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is responsible for overseeing PA’s regulated iGaming market. Its key responsibilities include:

• Licensing operators and their technology providers
• Enforcing state laws and regulations to help ensure games are fair
• Managing the statewide self-exclusion program 
• Handling disputes players might have with a regulated online casino

While the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board licenses online casinos to operate in the state, the reality is there are unlicensed casinos trying to attract players.

These unlicensed iGaming sites don’t have protecting Pennsylvania players in mind, and they don’t have to answer to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

To confirm that you’re playing on a licensed site, look for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Licensed & Regulated badge on the operator’s website.

It’s also a good idea to check the current list of licensed interactive gaming operators on the government website.

All Pennsylvania casino games are audited for fairness

Before a slot or table game at a licensed Pennsylvania online casino can be offered to players in the state, it must go through a rigorous testing process. And it’s not the casino itself that conducts the tests.

Pennsylvania law requires that an independent, accredited testing lab audit every game. Here’s what the testing lab verifies before a game goes live:

• The game is unpredictable and truly random
• Paytables and rules are accessible in the game
• Return to Player percentage is accurate
• There’s an audit trail and logging for every individual wager and spin outcome

If a game studio changes the rules, alters the math, or updates the software, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board must approve the game before being released again.

How to create a Pennsylvania online casino account

To play at a Pennsylvania online casino, you must be 21 years of age or older. When you create your account, you’ll be asked for several pieces of information:

• Legal name as it appears on your official government documents
• Date of birth
• Residential address (no PO boxes)
• Social Security Number (last four digits only)
• Email address and phone number

At Caesars Palace Online Casino, we use this information to confirm that you not only meet the age requirements to play, but also to confirm that you’re not on the state’s iGaming self-exclusion list. 

Before your account is finalized, you may be asked to upload a copy of your government ID (like your driver’s license) and something that can verify your address (like a bank statement or utility bill). You may also be asked to provide your full SSN, not just the last four digits.

To play in Pennsylvania, you must be within state lines

iGaming regulations in Pennsylvania state that players must be physically present in Pennsylvania to play at a regulated iGaming site. That’s true whether you’re playing on your Mac or PC, or from your phone.

To confirm your location each time you play, the Caesars Palace Online Casino app uses the phone’s built-in location services feature. When you install the app for the first time, you’ll be instructed to turn location services on. And you’ll need to make sure location services are on whenever you load the app.

Playing from your Mac or PC is a bit different. To confirm your location, you’ll be asked to install a geolocation app. It’s a small piece of software, so it won’t take up a lot of hard drive space. If you don’t install the geolocation tool on your computer, you won’t be able to log in and play.

Regulated Pennsylvania iGaming sites are here to help

When you choose an unregulated iGaming site, you’re taking chances. Not just with playing games that haven’t been tested for fairness, but also with getting help when you need it.

Be careful of unlicensed sites that hide their contact links on their website or make it difficult to get in touch. Regulated online casinos in Pennsylvania are required to make it easy for players to contact the site when they need help.

At Caesars Palace Online Casino, our goal is to solve your issue fast. Whether you have a question about your account, a game, a promotion, or how a bonus works, help is available on our Customer Support page.

Just tap the profile icon at the top of the page, then scroll down and tap Support.

How to file an iGaming dispute in Pennsylvania

If you’re having an issue with an online casino in Pennsylvania and the site won’t resolve your dispute, you can submit a complaint on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s dispute portal.

Before you submit your complaint, make sure you’re sending it to the right department. Not only does the portal handle iGaming complaints, it also handles land-based complaints. And it offers separate paths for iGaming complaints and Live Dealer complaints, so you need to be really specific.

Whatever your dispute happens to be, make sure you have the exact date and time that your issue occurred. You should also have supporting documents handy to help move your complaint along.

Responsible Gaming tools that put Pennsylvanians first

All regulated online casinos in Pennsylvania offer built-in Responsible Gaming tools to help you stay on top of your game. In the Caesars Palace Online Casino app, you have a number of tools at your disposal to make sure you’re playing within your limits.

To access your Responsible Gaming settings, tap the profile icon at the top of the app. Then scroll down and tap Responsible Gaming. There, you’ll find these settings:

• Gaming Limits: Set deposit limits (daily/weekly/monthly), betting limits (daily, weekly/monthly), single wager limits, loss limits (daily/weekly/monthly), and time playing limits (hourly).
• Cool Off: Block yourself from depositing or playing for up to 90 days
• Self-Exclusion: Exclude yourself from playing at Caesars Palace Online Casino for a timeframe of your choosing (including a permanent ban). 

How to block yourself from all Pennsylvania iGaming sites

For some online casino players, stopping themselves from playing at just one online casino doesn’t go far enough. That’s where statewide self-exclusion comes in.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board offers Pennsylvanians the option to self-exclude from all iGaming sites in the state. To get started, you’ll need to create an account on the government’s self-exclusion portal. It’s a quick process, but be prepared to provide your name, address, birthday, phone number, and SSN.

You’ll also need to capture a selfie using your device’s camera, upload a photo of your driver’s license or government-issued ID, and snap a photo of you holding your ID. 

Don’t forget about your Pennsylvania tax obligations

Gambling winnings in Pennsylvania are subject to federal and state taxes. In some cases, if your win doesn’t meet the tax withholding threshold, you’ll receive the full amount of your winnings in your account. If the win is considered large, taxes may be withheld and you’ll be issued a W-2G tax form.

If tax isn’t withheld, it doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. iGaming winnings are subject to tax, and you’re responsible for reporting winnings when you file your tax return. Always consult a tax professional before filing your return to make sure you’re meeting your Pennsylvania iGaming tax obligations.

FAQs

Do I have to live in Pennsylvania to play at a regulated PA online casino?

No, you don’t have to live in Pennsylvania, but you do need to be physically present in the state to play.

Are all online casinos legal in Pennsylvania?

No, an online casino must go through a thorough process before being licensed in the state. If you’re unsure if a site is licensed in Pennsylvania, check with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

How old do I have to be to sign up and play?

You must be at least 21 years old to sign up and play at a legal PA online casino.

Is there an official Pennsylvania app for Caesars Palace Online Casino?

Yes, you can download the official app from the App Store or Google Play.

Are online casinos in Pennsylvania allowed to offer signup bonuses?

Yes, regulated PA iGaming sites can offer new players incentives to sign up.