In 2013, New Jersey and Delaware became the first two US states to launch online casino gambling for real money. That situation remained unchanged until Pennsylvania joined them in 2019, followed by West Virginia in 2020. Michigan legalized online casinos in 2019 and should have its first running before this year is out.
Elsewhere in the country, you unfortunately won’t be able to play for real money online. That doesn’t mean you can’t win, however. Sweepstakes poker, which we’ll discuss a little later, is an alternative while you’re waiting for your legislators to pass an iGaming bill.
Pennsylvania casino apps
Pennsylvania became the most populous US market for online gaming when it went live in July 2019. The roll-out of Pennsylvania online casinos was a bit slow to start, but it grew into a healthily competitive market by the end of its first year.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board licenses slots, table games and poker separately. The state’s licensing fees and taxes are the highest anywhere in the country, especially on slots. Unfortunately, some of that cost gets passed on to the player, so you may find the slots at Pennsylvania online casinos slightly tighter than in other states.
Caesars Casino
Caesars Casino wasn’t among the first wave of Pennsylvania online casinos, having arrived in April 2020. As a result, it hasn’t built out its PA product to the same extent as its online casino in neighboring New Jersey. In time, however, it should have a large selection of games available.
The website and app are built on a platform provided by NYX, making for a polished and reliable experience. It integrates with the same Total Rewards loyalty program used at Caesars’ land-based properties, so it’s a good choice in the long term, especially if you like to play at casinos in person as well.
Caesars Casino has a $2,021 deposit match bonus for new users who sign up with our promo code in PA and NJ. Michigan players can get a $200 risk-free for 24 hours on sign up. Though not the highest bonus out there in dollar terms, it has comparatively easy playthrough requirements, which is good if you’re not a high roller.
DraftKings Casino
DraftKings has burst into the online casino space in dramatic fashion. Originally just a daily fantasy sports brand, it has had huge success branching out into other gambling products. Its core demographic remains sports fans and sports bettors, many of whom prefer table games to slots, and that’s reflected in how it prioritizes its games.
The biggest difference you’ll notice between DraftKings and other online casinos is that it has been investing a lot in exclusive games. Many of these are variants of blackjack and roulette that have the same rules as the casino classics, but fun themes like basketball or retro arcade games.
The first deposit bonus for DraftKings Casino is $25 free, plus a 100% match up to $2,000. Plus, it has one of the best no-deposit signup offers out there, consisting of an instant $60 cash bonus.
Unibet Casino
Unibet, the flagship brand of Kindred Group, has a long history in Europe but is still making a name for itself in the US. In Pennsylvania, it’s one of the less busy online casinos, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook it.
Despite having a smaller customer base, Unibet doesn’t skimp on its game selection. It has deals in place with top game manufacturers like IGT, NetEnt and Bally to provide as big a range of options as some much larger competitors.
Unibet will offer you $10 free just for signing up, plus a 100% match up to $750 on your first deposit. One of its standout features is its Game of the Week, which allows you to unlock a $10 bonus for wagering just $100 on the selected game.
FanDuel Casino
FanDuel is the number one online casino in Pennsylvania in terms of popularity and revenue. Like DraftKings, it’s a company known for its daily fantasy sports product, but which has made huge strides in other areas just in the past year. It’s also similar in the way it puts relatively more emphasis on table games and less on slots compared to more traditional casinos.
Pennsylvania was the first state where FanDuel launched a casino product using its own brand, though it subsequently rolled it out in other states as well. It’s unusual in that it’s mobile only, with no desktop client or browser-based version of the product. On the other hand, you have a choice between a standalone casino app or a sportsbook app with casino games included.
FanDuel’s sign-up bonus works differently from other PA casinos. Instead of a bit of free cash or a deposit match, it will cover your losses for the first 24 hours of play, up to a maximum of $1,000. So make sure you’re ready to start playing when you sign up, to take maximum advantage.
West Virginia casino apps
West Virginia legalized sports betting in 2018 and other forms of online gambling the following year. It surprised everyone with how little time it took to get from legalization to launch. The first West Virginia online casinos weren’t expected until 2021, but began arriving in mid-2020.
There are five land-based casinos in the state, each of which is eligible to partner with up to three online brands. With a population of just 1.8 million, however, there’s a limit to how many online casinos the state can realistically support. In time, all the biggest brands should make their way into the market, but smaller ones may not see it as worth the cost and effort.
Unlike most other online casino states, West Virginia doesn’t have a separate gaming regulator. Its land-based casinos, as well as all the new online gambling options, are all under the supervision of the state lottery.
DraftKings Casino
DraftKings was the first online casino to launch in West Virginia. It did so in July 2020, well ahead of schedule and without forewarning. The launch was part of a big push by DraftKings into the casino space, coming just one day after it released its first standalone casino app in Pennsylvania.
The West Virginia product is similar to that Pennsylvania app in most ways, but lagged a little bit in game selection at first due to waiting on approval from the regulator. It is quickly catching up, however. One thing DraftKings is known for is putting its table games front and center, including several custom products with unique themes, many of them sports-related. It also boasts a robust selection of slots.
DraftKings’ sign-up bonuses are the same in all states. You’ll get $60 in instant cash just for registering your account. When you make your first deposit you get $25 free and a 100% match to a maximum of $2,000.
BetMGM
BetMGM followed less than two months on the heels of DraftKings. Somewhat surprisingly, West Virginia is only the second market for the brand, which hasn’t launched in Pennsylvania as of this writing. Based on its performance in New Jersey, however, it’s a brand that has the potential to be a market leader wherever it rolls out.
MGM Resorts International developed the brand in partnership with GVC Holdings, through a joint venture called Roar Digital. Like the resorts themselves, BetMGM is a premium brand, known for huge progressive jackpots on its slots and a rewards program, M life, aimed at big spenders.
Use our bonus code to sign up and you’ll get $25 in free play to try out the app. When you’re ready to deposit, you can get a 100% match up to $1,000, the highest cap available in West Virginia at the moment.
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