Pa Casino Gaming Commission
- Pennsylvania Casino Control Board
- Pa Casino Gaming Commission
- Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Website
- Pa Casino Gaming Commission Phone Number
- Pennsylvania Gaming Board
Introduction to Pennsylvania Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
The Ohio Casino Control Commission has the responsibility to ensure the integrity of casino gaming, skill-based amusement machines and fantasy contests by licensing, regulating, investigating and enforcing state laws. Pa Casino Control Commission. Pa casino control commission The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is a governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, founded in 2004 as the state licensing and regulatory agency responsible for overseeing slot machines and casino gambling in the state.Casinos: History of Gambling in Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania slot machine casino gambling consists of twelve casinos of which six are pari-mutuel racetracks with slot machines, four are standalone casinos, and two are casino resorts.
Pennsylvania has both minimum and maximum theoretical payout limits. Return statistics are publicly available online.
This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.
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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Pennsylvania*
The minimum legal gambling age in Pennsylvania depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: 21
- Poker Rooms: 21
- Bingo: 18
- Lottery: 18
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18
In 2004, the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act passed. This Act legalized slot machines at fourteen locations. Of these locations, gaming licenses have yet to be issued for a standalone casino and a pari-mutuel racetrack with slot machines.
Since July 2010, table games are in Pennsylvania casinos.
In October 2017, the state legislature legalized casino gambling at truck stops, airports, and online. This bill also authorized ten new satellite casinos with location restrictions.
- Satellite casinos of existing casino operators must be within 25 miles of their existing Pennsylvania casino. Further, local municipalities may prohibit such a casino. These satellite casino licenses allow up to 750 slot machines and 50 table games.
- Racetracks and standalone casinos can have up to 5,000 slot machines and 250 table games, while casino resorts can have up to 600 slot machines and 50 table games. Truck stops approved by their county may have up to 5 slot machines.
Casino operators may operate a gambling parlor at any of Pennsylvania’s international and regional airports, assuming successful agreements with the airport authority. None have yet opened, but expected in 2020.
To gamble within a casino resort, players must be a guest there. Put another way, the gaming floors within the casino resorts are not open to the public.
*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in Pennsylvania
It is legal to own a slot machine privately in the state of Pennsylvania if it is 25 years old or older.
Gaming Control Board in Pennsylvania
The state gaming commission is the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). The PGCB is responsible for overseeing slot machines and casino gambling in the state.
Two different state gaming commissions are each responsible for the state lottery and charitable gaming.
Casinos in Pennsylvania
There are two casino resorts, four standalone casinos, and six racetracks with slot machines in Pennsylvania.
The largest casino in Pennsylvania is Parx Casino with 3,238 gaming machines during the last week of January 2020.
The second-largest casino is Wind Creek Bethlehem with 3,046 gaming machines during the last week of January 2020.
Commercial Casinos in Pennsylvania
The two casino resorts in Pennsylvania are:
- Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, 69 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.
- Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia, 21 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
The four standalone casinos in Pennsylvania are:
- Mount Airy Casino Resort Spa in Mount Pocono, 31 miles southeast of Scranton.
- Rivers Casino Philadelphia, 3 miles northeast of the downtown area.
- Rivers Casino Pittsburgh in the downtown cultural center.
- Wind Creek Bethlehem, 58 miles north of Philadelphia.
The six pari-mutuel racetracks with slot machines in Pennsylvania are:
- Harrah’s Philadelphia in Chester, 18 miles southwest of Philadelphia.
- Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, 17 miles northeast of the capital of Harrisburg.
- Mohegan Sun Pocono in Wilkes-Barre, 15 miles southwest of Scranton.
- Parx Casino in Bensalem, 19 miles northeast of Philadelphia.
- Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie, 126 miles north of Pittsburgh.
- The Meadows Casino Racetrack Hotel in Washington, 26 miles south-southwest of Pittsburgh.
Tribal Casinos in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has no federally-recognized American Indian tribes. Therefore, Pennsylvania has no tribal casinos as allowed by the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1989.
However, Pennsylvania is one of the few U.S. states with commercial casinos owned and operated by an American Indian tribe:
- Mohegan Sun Pocono is owned and operated by the Mohegan Indian Tribe of Connecticut through their Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment corporation.
- Wind Creek Bethlehem is owned and operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians through their Wind Creek Hospitality corporation.
Other Gambling Establishments
As an alternative to enjoying Pennsylvania slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Pennsylvania is:
- North: New York Slots and Lake Erie
- East: New Jersey Slots
- South: Delaware Slots, Maryland Slots, and West Virginia Slots
- West: Ohio Slots
Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Pennsylvania.
Our Pennsylvania Slots Facebook Group
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Pennsylvania? If so, join our new Pennsylvania slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.
There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in Pennsylvania. Join us!
Payout Returns in Pennsylvania
The theoretical payout minimum for slot machines in Pennsylvania is 85%. Further, the maximum theoretical payout limit may not equal or exceed 100%. Both limits apply to each single play.
The PGCB makes monthly return statistics publicly available for Fiscal Year 2019/2020 for each gaming facility. To calculate player win%, divide payouts by wagers provided in each report.
For February 2020, the player win% at slots for each casino and statewide were:
- Harrah’s: 89.47%
- Hollywood: 89.38%
- Mohegan Sun: 89.63%
- Mount Airy: 90.35%
- Nemacolin: 89.18%
- Parx: 90.43%
- Presque Isle: 89.43%
- Rivers Philadelphia: 90.49%
- Rivers Pittsburgh: 89.68%
- The Meadows: 90.11%
- Valley Forge: 90.25%
- Wind Creek: 89.98%
- Statewide: 89.97%
For February 2020, the highest player win% went to Rivers Philadelphia at 90.49%, followed closely by Parx and Mount Airy. The lowest player win% went to Nemacolin at 89.18% followed closely by Hollywood Penn National and Presque Isle.
Summary of Pennsylvania Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Pennsylvania slot machine casino gambling consists of two casino resorts, four standalone casinos, and six racetracks with slot machines. Other locations should still open in 2020.
The theoretical payout limits are a minimum of 85% and a maximum of up to 100%. Monthly return statistics by casino are available online from the state gaming control board.
Annual Progress in Pennsylvania Slot Machine Casino Gambling
In the last year, the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem became Wind Creek Bethlehem, acquired by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians through their Wind Creek Hospitality corporation for $1.3 billion.
Otherwise, there have been numerous casino name changes including:
- Lady Luck Nemacolin became Nemacolin Woodlands Resort.
- Valley Forge Convention Center Casino became Valley Forge Casino Resort.
- Mount Airy Resort & Casino became Mount Airy Casino Resort Spa.
- Sugar House Casino became Rivers Casino Philadelphia.
Related Articles from Professor Slots
- ABC27 Harrisburg Evening News: A closer look at casino slot payouts
Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots
- Previous: Oregon Slot Machine Casino Gambling
- Next: Puerto Rico Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC
Pennsylvania’s casinos provide the latest gaming machines and tables, plus possible access to on-site racing venues for additional betting. Many casinos are also entertainment hubs that offer access to concert and show venues and a wealth of exquisite dining options.
Try your luck at one of the 12 Pennsylvania casinos below, where you’ll be sure to pocket many fond memories, if not loads of winnings.
1. Harrah’s Philadelphia
Chester
Catch live harness-racing action at Harrah’s Philadelphia or watch races that are broadcasted live daily from major tracks in their indoor waging area. Meanwhile, the casino features more than 2,000 slots, video poker machines and a variety of table games.
2. Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course
Grantville
Hollywood is the theme at this casino, the only gaming and racing facility in central Pennsylvania. Try your luck at more than 2,400 slot machines and 56 table games, or snag a box seat at the track where live races takes place Wednesday—Saturday at 6pm.
3. Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin
Farmington
Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin is a small casino situated at the lovely Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, which offers shuttles to and from the casino 24/7. Featuring nearly 600 slot machines, 29 table games, including roulette, craps and blackjack, Lady Luck is an understated hideaway for slots lovers.
4. The Meadows Racetrack & Casino
Washington
The Meadows supplies year-round harness racing and more than 3,000 slot machines, 65 table games and a variety of entertainment options, including a 24-lane bowling alley and live entertainment at Headliners, a venue that hosts local and national performing artists. Whether you’re in the mood for casual food court dining, trackside eats, or surf and turf from an award-winning steakhouse, The Meadows has a variety of dining options to satisfy your palate.
5. Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
A $208 million renovation effort dramatically transformed Pocano Downs into not only Pennsylvania's first casino, but the area's leading enterntainment complex. With 82,000 square feet of gaming space holding 2,300 slot machines, 90 table games and a 218-room, 20-suite hotel, Pocono Downs offers countless opportunities for gaming fun. The hotel and entertainment center’s unique architecture is inspired by the landscape, flora, wildlife, natural resources and personality of the Susquehanna River Valley.
6. Mount Airy Casino Resort
Pennsylvania Casino Control Board
Mount Pocono
Mount Airy Casino has a wide variety of attractions, including an 18-hole championship golf course with 6,500 yards of manicured greens, a luxurious spa and salon, and an impressive 51,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor pool. Gamers love the 1,800 slot machines and 70 table games. Try The Buffet for the great sampling of gourmet dishes, including carving, salad, seafood and dessert stations.
7. Parx Casino and Racetrack
Bensalem
Parx Casino and Parx East, adjacent properties located 20 minutes away from Philadelphia’s Center City, feature more than 3,330 slot machines, 100 live gaming tables, plus live and simulcast racing action. Sports lovers should spend time at Jax, a sports bar featuring more than 48 poker tables, and Chickie & Pete’s, an interactive sports bar and crab house.
8. Presque Isle Downs & Casino
Pa Casino Gaming Commission
More than 1,700 slot machines light up this casino and racetrack. Presque Isle Downs & Casino offers shuttle that runs 24/7 to the Baymont Hotel across the street, so visitors can stay and play. Don’t miss live music on Friday and Saturday evenings at the Downs Clubhouse & Lounge and the Sunday champagne breakfast buffet.
9. Rivers Casino
Rivers Casino offers 3,000 slot machines, more than 100 tablegames and a 30-table poker room on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. The casino has five restaurants to choose from including Andrew’s Steak and Seafood, named after important Pittsburg natives named Andrew such as Carnegie, Mellon and Warhol.
10. Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem
Sands Bethlehem, located on the former site of the historic Bethlehem Steel plant, is home to 3,000 slot machines, 200 table games and a variety of dining, shopping and entertainment options. Shop at The Outlets at the Sands Bethlehem, check out the event center’s show schedule or dine at one of the resort’s 10 restaurants, including Steelworks Buffet & Grill and Emeril’s Chop House.
11. Sugar House Casino
Located on the site of a vacant sugar refinery on the Delaware River, the casino has more than 1,900 slot machines and 103 table games. Dine on the waterfront at The Refinery, where delicious American cuisine collides with live music and gorgeous views. The casino provides free transportation via its Sugar Express trolley from more than 24 Philadelphia locations.
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Website
12. Valley Forge Casino and Resort
Pa Casino Gaming Commission Phone Number
King of Prussia
Pennsylvania Gaming Board
Valley Forge Casino and Resort has 600 slot machines, 50 live gaming tables and 485 guestrooms and suites. Plan to spend the night at the resort, where visitors can also hang out at an outdoor garden pool with views of Valley Forge National Historical Park, ride a mechanical bull at Deuces wild Buck’ Bull Saloon and chow down at eight different fine dining and casual restaurants.