When Did Pennsylvania Sports Betting Become Legal?

Did you know that sports betting is now legal for more than half the United States? The rapid expansion of legal sports betting is an exciting development for many states. As a result, sports fans now have more at stake than just bragging rights.

Pennsylvania is one state where it’s now legal to bet on football and other sports. This development is great news for bettors as Pennsylvania has a rich sports culture for college and professional sports.

Read on to learn when Pennsylvania sports betting became legal and why Pennsylvania is such an exciting home for sports betting.

When Did Pennsylvania Sports Betting Become Legal?

In May 2018, the United States Supreme Court made a landmark ruling. It deemed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 unconstitutional.

This law had restricted legal sports betting to the state of Nevada for more than 25 years. This ruling meant that states could enact legislation to legalize and regulate sports betting within their borders.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board acted immediately on the Supreme Court’s ruling. Within weeks, they asked casino licensing holders to submit requests to conduct legal sports betting.

Sports betting can legally take place in several venues, such as licensed casinos or off-track betting facilities. Casinos can also submit a request to the Gaming Control Board for temporary approval.

Other options include both internet and mobile-based systems. These options are popular with bettors, as the convenience is second to none. Bettors can submit parlays or seize on promotions from anywhere in the state.

What Sports Interest Pennsylvania Bettors?

Pennsylvania has a robust sports presence and some of the most dedicated fans in the country.

For professional sports, both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are hotbeds for all the major leagues. In addition, universities like Penn State, Villanova, and the University of Pittsburgh are popular to follow at the college level. In particular, college football and basketball teams in the state have huge followings.

Pennsylvania bettors should start by checking out the NFL live odds this season. The Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers are two of the most popular teams in football.

The fall is also an exciting time for Major League Baseball bets. The Philadelphia Phillies are in the Wild Card hunt and playing meaningful games down the stretch.

Winter is near, and this means hockey and basketball seasons are around the corner. The Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins are two of the most popular franchises in the National Hockey League. The Philadelphia 76ers are perennial championship contenders, led by Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris.

Does Betting Make Sports More Exciting in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania sports scene is one of the best in the world. Almost every year, fans are in a frenzy as one of the major college or professional teams makes a run at the championship. You can be a part of this fun and exciting culture as well.

Now that Pennsylvania has legalized sports betting, you can make wagers on these games. In my view, a money line bet on a Philadelphia or Pittsburgh sports team makes the game even more thrilling.

If you are interested in Pennsylvania sports betting at a secure and easy-to-use site, check out BetMGM today for live odds and sign up for an account.