Pennsylvania Casinos

Pennsylvania’s commercial casino market took shape after the Race Horse Development and Gaming Act was signed into law in 2004. The legislation authorized slot machines at racetracks first, then expanded to include table games through a 2010 amendment. The result is a network of 13 licensed properties that spans the state’s two largest cities, its mountains, and several mid-size regional markets. All Pennsylvania casinos are commercial operations regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). There are no federally recognized tribal gaming operations in Pennsylvania.

The physical casino network is only part of what makes Pennsylvania one of the more significant gaming states in the country. Act 42 of 2017 — the same legislation that authorized video gaming terminals and mini-casinos — also legalized online casino gambling and mobile sports betting. Pennsylvania’s iGaming market launched in 2019 and has grown steadily into one of the largest in the United States. Visitors physically located in the state and at least 21 years old can access a broad selection of licensed online casino platforms without visiting a brick-and-mortar property.

Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley

Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs form Pennsylvania’s most densely served casino market. Four licensed properties cover a range of locations and formats, from a destination racetrack casino in Bensalem to a Center City high-rise that opened in 2023.

Philadelphia area casinos

P

Parx Casino and Racing

Bensalem

24/7 · Poker Room

H

Harrah’s Philadelphia

Chester Pennsylvania

24/7 · Poker Room

R

Rivers Casino Philadelphia

Philadelphia

V

Valley Forge Casino Resort

Upper Merion Twp

24/7

Parx Casino and Racing in Bensalem is the largest Pennsylvania casino by both table game count and slot machine positions. Located about 20 miles northeast of Center City Philadelphia, Parx combines a full-scale gaming floor with an active harness and thoroughbred racing operation. The property has expanded substantially over the years and includes multiple dining concepts, a poker room, and a sportsbook. For visitors willing to make the short drive from Philadelphia, Parx offers a broader game selection than any single property in the city proper.

Harrah’s Philadelphia sits in Chester along the Delaware River waterfront, roughly 15 miles south of Center City. It operates under the Caesars Entertainment umbrella and is integrated with the Caesars Rewards loyalty program, making it a natural stop for frequent visitors to Caesars properties elsewhere. The location is accessible from Center City by car or the SEPTA Regional Rail Wilmington/Newark Line.

Rivers Casino Philadelphia opened in 2023 in Center City, making it the most recent major casino opening in the state. The property sits near the Philadelphia waterfront in the Fishtown-adjacent corridor and represents the first true urban core casino for the city itself rather than a suburban or exurban location. Valley Forge Casino Resort in the King of Prussia area serves the western Philadelphia suburbs and is a smaller-footprint property with hotel accommodations.

Pittsburgh, Western PA, and the Lehigh Valley

Western Pennsylvania’s casino landscape extends well beyond Rivers Pittsburgh. The Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington County, south of Pittsburgh, combines harness racing with a full casino floor — it serves the Washington, PA corridor and is an alternative to the downtown Pittsburgh property for visitors coming from the south. Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem in Bethlehem occupies one of the most distinctive sites of any Pennsylvania casino: the former Bethlehem Steel plant, a historic industrial complex that the casino development adapted and incorporated into its design. The steel-mill aesthetic gives Sands Bethlehem a setting unlike any comparable property in the region.

Pittsburgh, Western PA, and Lehigh Valley casinos

R

Rivers Casino Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

24/7 · Poker Room

T

The Meadows Racetrack and Casino

North Strabane Twp

24/7 · Poker Room

S

Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem

Bethlehem

24/7 · Hotel

M

Mount Airy Casino Resort

Mount Pocono

24/7 · Hotel

H

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course

Grantville

24/7 · Poker Room

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville is the primary gaming destination for the Harrisburg market. Located about 15 miles northeast of Harrisburg near the Penn National Race Course, the property operates under Penn Entertainment (formerly Penn National Gaming) and includes thoroughbred racing alongside the casino floor and sportsbook.

Pocono Mountains and Northeast Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s northeast region hosts two casino properties that draw visitors from both the Poconos resort corridor and the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton markets. Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono is positioned as a four-season resort destination within the Pocono Mountains, with hotel accommodations, spa facilities, and a full casino floor. The Poconos location places it roughly 90 miles from Philadelphia and about 100 miles from New York City, giving it a draw from both metro areas.

Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Plains Township near Wilkes-Barre is operated by the Mohegan Tribe under their Mohegan brand, though it operates as a commercial casino under Pennsylvania law rather than as a tribal gaming facility. The property sits near Interstate 81 and serves the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton corridor. In the northwest corner of the state, Presque Isle Downs in Erie combines a horse racing facility with a slots-only floor and serves the Erie market along Lake Erie. Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin in Farmington serves southwestern Pennsylvania near the Maryland border and is integrated with the Nemacolin resort property.

Games at Pennsylvania Casinos

Pennsylvania’s commercial casinos offer the full Class III game menu. Slot machines and electronic gaming terminals are available at all properties; some smaller properties are slots-focused with limited table game selections. Larger casinos including Parx, Rivers Pittsburgh, Sands Bethlehem, and Hollywood Penn National offer the broad table game mix: blackjack in multiple variants and limits, craps, roulette, baccarat and mini-baccarat, three-card poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Mississippi Stud, and pai gow poker.

Poker rooms with live cash games and tournament schedules operate at Parx, Rivers Pittsburgh, Sands Bethlehem, and Mount Airy. Pennsylvania’s online poker market is legal under the iGaming framework but does not currently share player pools with other states under a multistate compact, which limits liquidity compared to New Jersey’s shared-pool arrangement with Delaware and Nevada.

Retail sportsbooks operate at the state’s licensed casinos. Mobile sports betting, legal since 2018, is available statewide through licensed apps affiliated with Pennsylvania casino license holders.

★ Editor-in-Chief · Casino Perspectives

Best Land-Based Casinos, By Visitor Profile

Kenji Tanaka

Poker Room Editor

🏙️ For Philadelphia Visitor

Best casino options for a Philadelphia visitor

Four Properties Within the Philadelphia Metro, Different Trade-Offs

"Philadelphia now has four casinos in realistic reach without a long drive. Rivers Casino Philadelphia in Center City is the most convenient for visitors already staying downtown: it is accessible without a car and opened in 2023, giving it the newest physical plant. Harrah's Philadelphia in Chester is about 30 minutes south via I-95 and is a larger property with more table games and the Caesars Rewards infrastructure — worth the drive if you have a rewards account or want a broader floor. Parx Casino in Bensalem is the largest PA casino by table count and is about 30 minutes northeast; it is the right call if you prioritize game variety and are willing to drive. Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia is convenient if you are already in the western suburbs. For visitors flying in or staying downtown, Rivers Philadelphia is the easy choice. For those willing to drive, Parx offers the most complete gaming experience in the metro area."

Kenji Tanaka · Poker Room Editor

🌉 For Pittsburgh Visitor

Best casino for a Pittsburgh visitor

Rivers Pittsburgh for Downtown Access, Meadows for a Southern Suburb Alternative

"Rivers Casino Pittsburgh on the North Shore is the obvious anchor for Pittsburgh visitors. It is a short walk or ride from downtown, sits near the stadiums on the North Shore, and offers a complete gaming floor with poker, sports betting, and dining. The river views from the property and its North Shore location make it a natural add-on to a Pittsburgh trip even for visitors not specifically planning a casino visit. If you are driving in from the south — Washington, PA, or points along I-79 — The Meadows Racetrack and Casino in North Strabane Township is a reasonable alternative. It is larger in footprint than Rivers Pittsburgh, includes harness racing, and is about 30 miles south of downtown. For visitors staying multiple nights in Pittsburgh, Rivers Pittsburgh is the primary destination; The Meadows is the right choice if you are arriving from the south and do not want to drive all the way into the city."

Kenji Tanaka · Poker Room Editor

💻 For Online Gambler

Pennsylvania's iGaming market for online casino players

One of the Largest iGaming Markets in the U.S., Launched 2019

"Pennsylvania's online casino market launched in 2019 after the 2017 authorization, and it has grown into one of the three largest in the country. Any person physically located in Pennsylvania and at least 21 years old can access licensed platforms without visiting a casino. The operator selection is broad: BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars Palace Online, BetRivers, and several others all operate under PA casino licenses. Game selection covers online slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, live dealer games, and video poker. Online poker is legal but operates without a multistate liquidity-sharing agreement, so player pool sizes are limited to in-state players. Welcome bonus offers and ongoing promotions are generally competitive given the number of operators in the market. Mobile sports betting is a separate product category with its own set of licensed apps. For online casino play, Pennsylvania's market is mature and competitive — the large state population across multiple metro areas keeps activity levels high across platforms."

Kenji Tanaka · Poker Room Editor

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Pennsylvania Gambling Law and Regulation

Pennsylvania’s gaming market is entirely commercial. All 13 licensed casinos operate under PGCB oversight, and online platforms must be affiliated with a licensed PA casino to operate legally in the state. There are no federally recognized tribal gaming operations in Pennsylvania, and no tribal-state gaming compacts are in effect.

The Race Horse Development and Gaming Act of 2004 initially authorized slot machines at licensed racetracks and other designated locations. A 2010 amendment added table games. Act 42 of 2017 was a broad gaming expansion that covered iGaming (online casino), sports betting, video gaming terminals in certain locations, and satellite casino licenses. The PGCB was established by the 2004 act and serves as the primary licensing and regulatory body for all Pennsylvania gaming activity.

Quick Visitor Reference

• Philadelphia metro casinos: Parx Casino and Racing (Bensalem), Harrah’s Philadelphia (Chester), Rivers Casino Philadelphia (Center City), Valley Forge Casino Resort (King of Prussia)
• Pittsburgh area casinos: Rivers Casino Pittsburgh (North Shore, downtown), The Meadows Racetrack and Casino (Washington County)
• Pocono Mountains and Northeast: Mount Airy Casino Resort (Mount Pocono), Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs (Wilkes-Barre area)
• Harrisburg area: Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course (Grantville)
• Lehigh Valley: Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem (Bethlehem)
• Northwest PA: Presque Isle Downs (Erie)
• Southwest PA: Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin (Farmington)
• Largest casino by table count: Parx Casino and Racing (Bensalem)
• Most distinctive setting: Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem (former Bethlehem Steel industrial site)
• Newest Philadelphia property: Rivers Casino Philadelphia (opened 2023)
• Online casino gambling: Legal since 2019; one of the top three iGaming markets in the country
• Sports betting: Legal since November 2018 (retail); mobile available statewide
• Minimum age: 21 for all casino gambling, online gaming, and sports betting
• Regulator: Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB)
• Governing legislation: Race Horse Development and Gaming Act (2004); Act 42 (2017)