While casino games are sometimes an awkward fit on mobile screens, sports betting is nearly perfectly suited for smartphones and tablets. In Pennsylvania, venues licensed to offer sports wagering are permitted to offer one online website/mobile app each.
Below we break down everything you need to know about PA mobile sportsbooks, so you can start placing bets on your favorite teams in the time it takes to send a text message.
Top PA mobile sportsbooks in 2020
1
$500 Risk-Free Bet
21+. PA only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
- Plus a $500 Deposit Match
- Loaded Promotional Schedule
- Tons of Player Props
- Up-to-the-Second Live Betting
2
$250 Bonus
Only 1x Wager Applies, Playable in PA Only
- Easy to Obtain, Generous Bonus
- Simple Withdrawals, Deposits
- Unmatched Loyalty Program
- Excellent Teaser Pricing
3
$500 Risk-Free Bet
- $500 Match Deposit Bonus
- PayPal Deposits, Withdrawals
- Offers Custom Bets
- Backed by FOX Sports
List of PA mobile sportsbook apps
Here’s a look at all PA sportsbooks currently offering mobile apps in the state.
Online Sportsbook | BONUS | Licensing Casino | Tech | Launched |
---|---|---|---|---|
DraftKings Sportsbook | Get Bonus | Meadows | Kambi | Nov. 4, 2019 |
FOX Bet Sportsbook | Get Bonus | Mount Airy | Stars Group | Sept. 4, 2019 |
BetRivers Sportsbook | Get Bonus | Rivers | Kambi | June 27, 2019 |
FanDuel Sportsbook | Get Bonus | Valley Forge | IGT/GAN | July 22, 2019 |
Unibet Sportsbook | Get Bonus | Mohegan Sun | Kambi | Nov. 13, 2019 |
Parx Sportsbook | – | Parx | Kambi | June 27, 2019 |
Caesar’s Sportsbook | – | Harrah’s Philadelphia | Scientific Games | March 10, 2020 |
BetAmerica | – | Presque Isle Downs | CDI | Dec. 16, 2019 |
BetMGM Sportsbook | TBD | Independent License | GVC Holdings | Coming Soon |
Advantages of mobile sportsbook apps
- Speed and convenience: Why drive out to a casino and wait in line at a teller window to place a bet when you can simply whip out your phone and wager wherever you have an Internet connection? While there are perks to lounging with your buddies at a land-based book, when it comes to convenience, mobile wagering just can’t be matched.
- In-play betting: Without online and mobile apps, taking advantage of in-play bets, or bets which are only valid for quick one-off plays, are virtually impossible. There just isn’t enough time to take advantage of these short-term bets when forced to wait in line at a betting counter or kiosk. Mobile apps, however, are perfectly suited to display these types of wagers in real time, allowing users to pull the trigger instantly.
- Welcome bonuses: Nearly all online and mobile sportsbooks offer new players incentives for signing up and depositing in the form of a welcome package. These can include deposit bonuses, free bets and even free money just for signing up an account. Brick-and-mortar sportsbooks, on the other hand, don’t usually offer these type of monetary rewards for new players.
- Bet at the game, or roam free: With mobile betting, players can bet anywhere inside the state. This is perfect for those that don’t live near a brick-and-mortar casino with a sportsbook. It also allows gamblers taking in a game at, say, Lincoln Field or Wells Fargo Center, to spice up the experience by placing a bet while watching the action live.
- Bargain hunting: In addition to all the welcome bonuses and promotions offered on mobile wagering apps, players will have the opportunity to readily access the best odds. Don’t love the line on the Philadelphia Eagles at one book? Quickly flip to another app in search of better pricing. This simply isn’t possible at retail outlets, where visitors will have one pricing option.
Disadvantages of mobile sports betting
- Missing the sportsbook experience: With their panels of huge TV screens, comfy seating and fully stocked bars, many PA sportsbooks are quite luxurious, and provide the perfect atmosphere to kick back and watch sports with your friends, while placing a bet or two. Gambling on your mobile, for some, just isn’t as fun as lounging in a casino sportsbook, where dozens of games can be viewed simultaneously.
- Less privacy: Betting online or on a mobile device will require you to enter your personal details, whereas most casinos will allow players to make smaller wagers with no ID. While any data sent to an online sportsbook is kept in highly secure, encrypted databases, some gamblers may prefer not to create online accounts and avoid having their personal information stored.
- Some tech knowledge required: Some players just aren’t very familiar with computers, smartphones or technology in general, and may prefer to place their bets the old-fashioned way — in person. While the process of downloading and wagering on a betting app is relatively straightforward, some may not find it to be such a simple process.
Breakdown of our top mobile sportsbook picks
DraftKings Mobile Sportsbook
- Mobile Apps: iOS and Android
- Mobile Tech Partner: Kambi
- Bonus: Claim mobile bonus
DraftKings mobile sportsbook is one of the easiest to use in the industry and offers all the same betting options as their desktop version. DraftKings mobile app is a one stop shop with their mobile casino and popular pools feature all operating from the same wallet. DraftKings makes everything easy to find with buttons right there on the homepage to get you to a list of available markets, promos and odds boosts. They even have scrolling “quick links” to bring you to the most popular bets of the day.
DraftKings online sportsbook has apps available for both iOS and Android powered devices, and is basically a condensed version of their desktop sportsbook. We have found the app to be incredibly responsive, quick to update and never had a problem being located. Overall, it doesn’t get much better as far as usability than the DraftKings mobile app.
FOX Bet Mobile Sportsbook
- Mobile Apps: iOS and Android
- Mobile Tech Partner: The Stars Group
- Bonus: Claim mobile bonus
FOX Sports and The Stars Group, the parent company of PokerStars, bring you the FOX Bet mobile sportsbook. FOX Bet’s mobile app makes it easy to find any bet you are looking for thanks to their simple layout, with all the top betting markets displayed across the top of the screen. HD graphics scroll just below the betting markets with all the top bets of the day and all the Bet Boosts (select boosted odds bets) displayed just below that.
Speaking of Bet Boosts, FOX Bet has by far the most odds boosts in the PA market, often offering at least three per matchup, where other sites will only offer three per day. If you can’t find a boosted bet that you like, FOX Bet also offers #custombets where they put together fun alternative bets and parlays.
While FOX Bet may not be targeting the veteran bettors, they are a fun and refreshing addition to the Pennsylvania mobile sports betting market. FOX Bet’s almost cartoon-like graphics and tons of longshot betting options, alongside all your typical bets makes for an enjoyable experience. While testing the app, we experienced great responsiveness and no crashing. There were a few hiccups early on with ingame lines not properly updating, but those problems have been taken care of. You can download the iOS app directly from the Apple App Store, or download directly from the site for Android devices.
BetRivers Mobile Sportsbook
- Mobile Apps: Android and iOS (sort of)
- Mobile Tech Partner: Kambi
- Bonus: Claim mobile bonus
BetRivers mobile sportsbook is available via Android app and on iOS devices via the Safari browser. To make bets on iOS devices with the Safari browser, you will need to download the GeoGuard app for location purposes, but that only takes a few moments to set up and details on how to do this can be found here.
BetRivers’ site was built by Kambi, one of the biggest names in online gambling. BetRivers is known for its generous iRewards program, that rewards players with iRP (iRewardsPoints) that can be cashed in for perks including free spins, Rivers swag and of course, bonus money that only has 1x rollover. The slide out menus keep the app uncluttered and give easy access to the live betting options. Whether you are new to sports betting, or a seasoned veteran, BetRivers has something for everyone.
FanDuel Mobile Sportsbook
- Mobile Apps: Android and iOS
- Mobile Tech Partners: GAN/ IGT
- Bonus: Claim mobile bonus
FanDuel’s app is chock full of promotional offers with the site consistently offering the best betting lines in the industry. FanDuel’s mobile app is easy to navigate, aesthetically pleasing, and offers a ton of betting options, especially when it comes to ingame betting.
FanDuel was the first mobile app in Pennsylvania that was available for both iOS and Android-powered devices. Not only does their shared wallet carry over to their online casino, but it is the only app that allows you to carry your balance across state lines.
That means if you head to the Jersey Shore for Memorial Day, there is no need to download a second app or make any new deposits. The app has had some crashing issues, and this is the only reason its not rated higher. Aside from the occasional crashes, FanDuel’s mobile app may be a perfect mobile sportsbook for both beginners and the seasoned vets.
How to download PA mobile sportsbook apps
While iOS availability varies from site to site, Android apps are available for every mobile sportsbook. However, they are not available in the Google Play store, and some sites require a work around to use their mobile sportsbook in the Safari browser on iPhones and iPad.
iOS
For most of the sites, once you click on one of the links on the page, you will be taken to the App store and download directly from there, but make sure that you are downloading the app for the right state. While FanDuel and DraftKings use one app for all available states, FOX Bet, Caesars, Unibet and Parx use a different app for each state.
For BetRivers, you need to download an app called GeoGuard that allows the operator to verify your location while placing bets on your iPhone or iPad’s Safari browser. Once you download the app, you will be brought to a screen that says “just 2 fast steps and you’re ready to go.” Click “Let’s Start” and accept the popup for GeoGuard to use your location while using the app. Once you do this, you are all set up to start betting from your Safari Browser. It’s that easy!
Android
For Android users, the process is much simpler. Just click through any of the links on this page, and you will be taken directly to the online sportsbook. Once there, some sites will have you register on the browser, and once the process is complete, you can download the mobile app directly from the site. Other sites will have you download the mobile sportsbook first and the whole registration process will be done on the app. Either way, the process is quick and easy. Just follow the directions on the online sportsbook site, and you will be betting in no time.
How your location is verified on mobile betting apps
Location tracking is a pillar of the U.S. online sports betting market. Simply put, if the sports betting operator can’t verify that you’re in Pennsylvania, you can’t make a bet. Thankfully this requirement is easily satisfied with mobile apps and is another major feather in their cap.
All modern iOS and Android devices come with built-in GPS chips. When you load up a Pennsylvania online sports betting app, it will request that you grant it access to your location services so that it can use that GPS chip. After giving approval, the app can confirm your whereabouts and you’ll be able to place a bet, assuming you’re within the state.
If you’re using a computer you’ll be required to download and install a separate geolocation plugin to prove where you are. It’s a little more involved than on a mobile device, but still pretty easy and straight forward.
While GPS tracking is typically very accurate, if you’re driving across a border we’d recommend giving it a little bit of berth before placing your bet.