Another Pennsylvania online casino is coming to the Keystone State. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) granted the Bally PA online casino petition as a Qualified Gaming Entity (QGE) to launch in Pennsylvania.
The PGCB permitted Bally online casino two online gaming licenses for online slots and table games. Bally will not offer peer-to-peer games and poker will not be available.
There are currently 18 online casinos in Pennsylvania.
PGCB grants Bally online casino QGE license
QGE status allows out-of-state operators to apply for an iGaming license without partnering with a land-based casino. It allows Bally online casino to move forward, though the land-based casino at Penn State is facing legal issues.
The PGCB reopened QGE applications on Jan. 3 and closed the period on March 3. Operators have a chance to petition for one of three certificates available, which include online slots, table games and poker.
Bally Casino was the first operator to petition for certificates on Jan. 3.
It’s only the second time the PGCB has opened QGE applications with the first coming in 2018.
Bally online casino launch is separate from State College mini-casino
Bally online casino still moved forward in wake of the operator’s legal disputes regarding the PA mini-casino near Penn State’s campus.
PlayLive! Casino is the only other online platform to launch before its land-based casino opened.
Bally Casino at State College is in the midst of a lawsuit because of a potential illegitimate bid Ira Lubert made to win the license in 2020.
Stadium Casino, which operates Live! Casino Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, lost the bid to Lubert and filed an appeal to the PA Supreme Court.
Available online casinos in Pennsylvania
| Online Casino | Date of launch |
|---|---|
| Hollywood Casino | July 2019 |
| Parx Casino | July 2019 |
| PlaySugarHouse Casino (Rivers Philadelphia) | July 2019 |
| PokerStars (Mount Airy Casino) | November 2019 |
| Unibet (Mohegan Sun) | November 2019 |
| FanDuel (Valley Forge) | January 2020 |
| Bet America (Presque Isle) | January 2020 |
| BetRivers (Rivers Philadelphia) | January 2020 |
| Caesars (Harrah's Philadelphia) | April 2020 |
| DraftKings Casino (Hollywood Casino) | May 2020 |
| Wind Creek Casino | July 2020 |
| PlayLive! (Live! Casino Philadelphia) | August 2020 |
| BetMGM (Hollywood Casino) | December 2020 |
| Borgata (Rivers Casino Philadelphia) | Feb. 2021 |
| Stardust Casino (Valley Forge Casino) | April 2021 |
| Barstool (Hollywood Casino) | April 2021 |
| Betway (Live! Casino Philadelphia) | July 2021 |
| PointsBet (Hollywood Casino) | April 2022 |
| Tropicana (Caesars) | April 2023 |
| Bally Casino (QGE petition) | June 2023 |
| Golden Nugget (QGE) | August 2023 |
