License Name
Pennsylvania Casino and Sports Betting License
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Issuing Country/Region
Pennsylvania, United States
Regulatory Body
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB)
Types of Regulated Games
Casino, slot machines, table games, poker, sports betting, online casino, online poker, fantasy contests
Market Coverage
Local (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania)
Regulator's Reputation
Excellent
Legal Entity Requirements
Company registration in the United States; entity must meet “suitability” requirements
Minimum Share Capital
Sufficient capital required to operate a casino, specific statutory minimums vary by license type
Directors and Shareholders Requirements
Key individuals must pass background checks; must demonstrate good character and integrity
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Compliance with US federal AML laws; mandatory reporting of suspicious transactions and AML policies
Data Protection Requirements
Player data must be encrypted and securely stored; PGCB enforces security audits
Reporting Requirements
Regular financial, operational, and responsible gaming reports to PGCB
Audit Requirements
Annual independent audit required by certified public accountant; technical systems audit
Software Certification Requirements
All gaming software and RNGs must be certified by PGCB-approved testing labs (e.g., GLI, eCOGRA)
RNG Certification
Mandatory RNG testing and certification; regular audits for fairness and randomness
Payment System Requirements
Use of certified, secure payment providers; compliance with AML controls
Server Location Requirements
Servers must enable geolocation and security but can be out-of-state if approved
Domain Name Requirements
No strict limit, but must allow geo-restriction to Pennsylvania
Language Support Requirements
English mandatory
Currency Support Requirements
USD mandatory
Legal Compliance Costs
Investigation, legal, and application costs; annual compliance costs vary
Background Checks
Extensive criminal, financial, and integrity checks on key personnel and owners
License Scope Restrictions
Only covers regulated games and activities approved by PGCB; geographic limitation to Pennsylvania players
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Must comply with Pennsylvania gambling and corporate taxes
Player Data Storage Requirements
Encrypted storage; access limited to authorized personnel; audit required
Cross-Border Operations
Not permitted; must restrict access to Pennsylvania and prevent out-of-state players
License Application Transparency
Application review with public hearing; public registry of licensees
Regulatory Contact Point
Designated compliance officer or liaison with PGCB for regulatory matters
Compliance Officer Requirement
Must appoint a dedicated compliance officer
Local Partnership Requirements
Not applicable for main licenses; certain digital access agreements may apply
Legal Dispute Resolution
Disputes resolved via hearings or Pennsylvania courts
License Transferability
Licenses are not property rights and are generally not transferable without PGCB approval
Sub-Licensing Rules
Not permitted
Video
License Cost
$50,000 (casino), $10,000,000 (sports wagering certificate)
Annual Fees
$100,000 for iGaming renewal per vertical; $250,000 for sports wagering renewal every 5 years
Income Taxes
Casino revenue taxed at variable rates; sports betting at 36%; online slots at 54%, tables/poker at 16%
Player Winnings Taxes
Operators do not withhold tax; players are responsible for reporting
Financial Guarantees
Sufficient liquidity and guarantees may be requested
Liquidity Requirements
Operators must demonstrate adequacy during licensing
Financial Reporting Requirements
Monthly/annual returns; special gambling-specific reports
Application Processing Time
Typically 6–9 months; may vary with investigation depth and public hearing schedule
Required Documents
Entity formation docs, business plan, financials, ownership details, internal control documentation
Business Plan Requirements
Detailed business and responsible gaming plan required
Internal Policy Requirements
AML, KYC, responsible gaming, employee training policies must be submitted
Testing Requirements
Full system testing by PGCB-approved lab; sandbox environment required
Certification Requirements
Software, RNG, and payment platform certification by accredited labs
Staff Qualifications
Key staff must show casino or large enterprise gaming experience; executive suitability checks
Physical Office Requirements
Physical establishment for Category 1–4 casino; digital operators not strictly required to have in-state offices
Local Representative Requirements
US-based agent required
Marketing Restrictions
Strict regulations on responsible gaming ads; restrictions on platform skin count and T&Cs
Responsible Gaming Measures
Reality checks, deposit/time/loss limits, prominent help signage, employee training
Self-Exclusion System
Mandatory, with 1-year, 5-year, and lifetime options
Age Verification Procedures
KYC and age checks; minimum gambling age 21
KYC Procedures
Required for all players; verification matched to government ID and databases
Customer Support Standards
English support required; complaint process mandated
Complaint Handling Procedures
Documented process; disputes can escalate to PGCB
Player Funds Protection
Segregated accounts and regular audit; annual security audit for digital gaming
Payout Timelines
Prompt payouts required; specifics may vary by operator
Bonus and Promotion Regulations
All promotions require approval; fair and transparent T&Cs
Permitted Games List
Approved slot, table, poker, sports wagering, and fantasy contest types only
Betting Limits
PGCB approval for all bet and payout limits; limits must be disclosed to players
RTP Requirements
Minimum theoretical payout for slots—slot machine meters used to verify
Jackpot Regulations
Progressive jackpot systems must be certified and regularly audited
Live Game Requirements
Live dealer games subject to same approval and audit as digital platforms
Mobile App Compliance
Mobile must comply with all digital gaming, security, and geolocation regulations
Affiliate Program Rules
Allowed, but affiliate entities must be registered/certified and comply with advertising and integrity guidelines
Security Standards
Regular audits, encryption, strict access controls; annual technical and security audit
Encryption Requirements
All player and financial data must use industry-standard (SSL/TLS) encryption
Backup Requirements
Regular data backup and recovery plans required
Monitoring Systems
Real-time monitoring for fraud, AML, and regulatory compliance
Operation Logging
Operators required to maintain system audit logs
Anti-Fraud Systems
Mandatory; platforms must have fraud detection and prevention controls
API Integration Standards
APIs must pass PGCB technical/security evaluation
Hosting Requirements
Flexible with remote access possible; approval based on security
CDN Usage
No specific requirements, permitted if security is maintained
Scalability Requirements
Must demonstrate capacity planning for expected volume
Uptime Requirements
Operators expected to ensure high service availability
Technical Support Availability
24/7 technical support is standard among compliant operators
License Duration
5 years for casino and iGaming; 5 years for sports wagering certificate
Renewal Procedure
Renewal application and updated business/financials required 6 months before expiry; renewal fee applies
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Fines (up to $70,000 or more), suspension, or revocation of license
Ownership Change Rules
PGCB approval required for changes in qualifying ownership or control
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
Changes must be approved by PGCB; suitability and public interest assessed
Subcontractor Regulations
Key vendors and suppliers must be licensed and vetted
Branding Requirements
Approved brands only; advertising must comply with responsible gambling messaging
Intellectual Property Protection
Operators must demonstrate software contracts/IP rights
Dispute Arbitration
PGCB offers hearings; litigation in Pennsylvania courts
Insurance Requirements
Not specified, but commercial insurance is industry standard
Charity Contributions
No mandatory requirements, but charitable giving is common as part of licensing
Staff Training Requirements
Mandatory employee training in responsible gambling, AML, and compliance
Innovation Support
Regulatory amendments to accommodate new technology; process for digital game approval
Sustainability Initiatives
Not specified in framework
Accessibility Standards
No explicit regulation, but general US accessibility law applies
Multilingual Support
Not mandatory, English required
Cryptocurrency Support
Not permitted at this time
Esports Betting Regulations
Permitted under sports betting license subject to PGCB approval
Fantasy Sports Regulations
Fantasy contest operator licensing and regulation by PGCB
Official Address
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, 303 Walnut Street, Commonwealth Tower, 5th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101, USA
Postal Address
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, 303 Walnut Street, Commonwealth Tower, 5th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101, USA
Fax Number
(717) 346-8350 (Main Fax); (717) 703-2988 (Licensing Fax)
Online Application Portal
https://gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov/licensing/licensing_applications_and_other_forms
Work Hours
Monday to Friday, 8:00–16:30 EST
Emergency Contact
Not published
Regional Offices
Northeast PA, Southeast PA, Western PA (Addresses on official website)
Technical Support
Via main number (717) 346-8300
Media Contact
Via main number or website
Facebook URL
https://www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaGaming
Twitter/X URL
https://twitter.com/PAGamingControl
YouTube URL
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJKdcA6eQ4wCsZAmQbAVRXA
Departments
Compliance, Licensing, Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement, Hearings and Appeals, Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling, Gaming Laboratory Operations
FAQ Question 1
What is Pennsylvania Casino and Sports Betting License?
FAQ Answer 1
The Pennsylvania Casino and Sports Betting License authorizes operators to offer casino gaming and sports wagering both on land and online within Pennsylvania. It ensures compliance with state laws to provide secure, fair, and responsible gambling experiences to players.
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues Pennsylvania Casino and Sports Betting License?
FAQ Answer 2
This license is issued by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), the state regulatory body responsible for licensing and regulating all gaming activities in Pennsylvania.
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining Pennsylvania Casino and Sports Betting License?
FAQ Answer 3
The initial application fee is $10 million for casino licenses and $10 million for sports wagering licenses. Annual renewal fees typically amount to $5 million. Additional costs include background check fees, compliance expenses, and technology certification costs.
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for Pennsylvania Casino and Sports Betting License?
FAQ Answer 4
Key requirements include submission of detailed applications, thorough background investigations of owners and key personnel, demonstration of financial viability, securing approved gaming facilities or platforms, adherence to responsible gaming and anti-money laundering policies, and ongoing compliance with reporting and auditing standards set by the PGCB.