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As Pennsylvanians gear up for kickoff with the new NFL season, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is sounding the warning: wagering on illegal offshore sportsbooks is a fast track to trouble. With over 90% of bets now placed online, staying within the regulated playing field isn’t just smart, it’s essential.
The PGCB issued a timely reminder on Wednesday. The state the 12 licensed and regulated online sportsbooks in Pennsylvania, which players access critical protections and responsible gaming tools.
Why using regulated sportsbooks matter
These tools include self-imposed limits on time and money, “cool-off periods” to take intentional breaks, and oversight that prevents problem gambling from spiraling out of control.
PGCB Executive Director Kevin O’Toole spoke about the importance of using regulated operators:
“For a gambler to protect themselves, they should be very hesitant to use illegal offshore sites.
“Only on the Pennsylvania regulated sites can a bettor choose to utilize self-imposed limits to better control their wagering activities.”
He went on to add:
“Legal, Board-regulated online sportsbooks must offer options for a player to control their gambling activity such as limiting the amount of time they can spend on a site, limiting the amount of money they can deposit, or provide a limit on the amount they wager.”
“In addition, the Board’s approved operators offer ‘Cool-Off Periods’ that establish a short-term ban of days, weeks or months for the bettor who can limit their sports wagering activity.”
Unauthorized platforms lack fairness safeguards, age verification, deposit limits, complaint resolution, and the safety net of PGCB’s investigative process.
To make the legal options crystal clear, the Board has prominently placed a link on its homepage, under “View Pennsylvania Gaming Operators.” It directs bettors to the full list of regulated sportsbooks, along with licensed online casinos, fantasy contests, and online poker providers.
The PGCB also supports a Self-Exclusion Program, which lets individuals block themselves from accessing all regulated sites. It’s step backed by responsible gaming advocacy and easily accessible via responsibleplay.pa.gov.
And if things go sideways? Any dispute with a licensed operator can be taken directly to the PGCB, where trained investigators will handle it. That option is not available when dealing with shady offshore platforms.
PA’s attempt to eliminate illegal gambling
The PGCB, along with the state as a whole, has been making an effort to curb illegal gambling.
Back in April, the PGCB announced during a Gaming Oversight Committee hearing that it issued 18 cease-and-desist letters to illegal operators. It also referred illegal betting on the Little League World Series to law enforcement last month.
Hopefully, the PGCB can get some help as Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday joined a coalition against illegal gambling. Sunday, along with 50 other AGs, sent a letter US AG Pam Bondi last month, asking for more resources to eliminate offshore operators.
In the letter, it noted that states are losing out on $4 billion a year in tax revenue.
