Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course holds a genuine piece of Pennsylvania history: it launched the state's first retail sportsbook. That matters if you care about track record and regulatory longevity. It doesn't automatically mean it's the best bet for your entertainment budget in 2025—so let me break down exactly where it fits in a crowded, 11-operator market.
What makes Hollywood Casino PA historically significant?
Simple: it was first. When Pennsylvania pushed ahead of the Supreme Court's 2018 PASPA repeal to legalize sports wagering, Hollywood Casino at Penn National was the retail operation that opened the doors before anyone else in the commonwealth. That's not marketing copy—it's documented. For a bettor who likes knowing an operator has roots in the state, that heritage is real. For everyone else, first-mover status doesn't equal best odds or best app in 2025.
How does the 11-operator PA market actually affect you?
Pennsylvania now has 11 licensed online sportsbooks regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB): bet365, BetMGM, BetParx, BetRivers, Caesars, DraftKings, PlaySugarHouse, theScore Bet, FanDuel, Fanatics, and Mohegan PA. More competition sounds good. The problem is structural. PA operators pay a 36% GGR tax—among the highest in the country—and industry analysts are clear that this forces books to shade their lines to protect margins. The result lands in your pocket as worse odds. For a full ranked comparison of every licensed app, see PA Sportsbook Rankings: Every Licensed App Rated Side by Side.
Illinois, for context, uses a sliding-scale operator tax of 15%–17.5% of GGR. That lower burden tends to produce more competitive lines for bettors there. Pennsylvania bettors are on the wrong side of that math. If you want to understand exactly how this plays out across state lines, Pennsylvania vs New Jersey Sportsbooks: Why PA Odds Are Worse covers the gap in detail.
How does Hollywood Casino PA compare to top competitors?
| Operator | PGCB Licensed | Retail Sportsbook | Notable Promo Type | Live Betting Reputation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Casino PA (Penn National) | Yes – first retail sportsbook in PA | Yes – on-site at Penn National Race Course | Varies; tied to Penn Entertainment skin | Functional; not a market leader |
| FanDuel PA | Yes | No standalone retail | Bet Reset up to $200/day (non-withdrawable tokens, 7-day expiry) | Top-tier app and live markets |
| BetRivers PA | Yes – Rivers Casino license | Yes – via Rivers Casino Pittsburgh | Bet-and-get welcome offer | Strong; known for competitive lines |
For deeper dives on those two competitors: FanDuel PA Review: Bet Reset, App Quality, and PA Odds and BetRivers Pennsylvania Review: License, Bonus, and Live Betting both walk through the specifics you need before depositing.
Is the PA market healthy enough to trust with your money?
By revenue, yes—regulated PA gambling cleared $600 million in a single month in May 2025, with iGaming alone pulling $195–230 million per month in recent periods. The PGCB has real enforcement authority: it investigates complaints, mediates disputes, and can take action against licensed operators. That protection evaporates the moment you use an offshore or unlicensed book, so sticking to the 11 PGCB-licensed operators is non-negotiable.
What should you watch out for before signing up?
Bonus bets and promotional credits are non-withdrawable—only winnings derived from them may be cashable. Promotional tokens at FanDuel and FanCash at Fanatics both expire 7 days from issuance; miss that window and the value is gone. Every PA sportsbook is geofenced, so your app only works while you're physically inside state lines. And remember: all gambling winnings are taxable income under both federal law and Pennsylvania Gross Income Tax, whether or not you receive a W-2G.
21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.