Online Gambling in Erie County, PA
Located in the northwestern part of Pennsylvania, Erie County spans a total area of 1,558 square miles (4,040 km2). As of July 1, 2021, the county recorded a population of 269,011 and 108,861 households. Within this period, the median household income stood at $55,949 while the per capita income was reported to be $30,715.
Internet habits of people living in Erie County vary. As of 2023, over 90% of the county's households use a computer and more than 80% of households have broadband Internet subscriptions.
What is the Legal Age for Gambling in Erie County?
The legal gambling age in Erie County, Pennsylvania (PA) ranges from 18 to 21 years, depending on the type of game or activity. For games like lottery, pari-mutuel bets, daily fantasy sports, or bingo, players must be at least 18 years old.
However, residents must be at least 21 years or older to play online or physical casino games, such as slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, and poker. This age requirement is necessary, especially for land-based casinos, since they sell alcohol and have to comply with drinking laws.
Underage wagering in Erie County is a crime. Any individual found violating this prohibition may be arrested and prosecuted. Casino operators may also pay fines of up to $10,000 for permitting underage wagering within their residences or on their online platforms.
Erie County Gaming Behavior
According to the 2021 Interactive Gaming Report prepared by the Pennsylvania State University, over 11% of residents participated in interactive gaming in Erie County and other parts of Pennsylvania.
Many of these residents are of an average age of 38 years, and their average household income is $73,302. Furthermore, the report indicated that males (67.8%) are more likely to participate in this type of gambling than females (31.3%). About 72% of the participants are also more likely to reside in a metropolitan county than in a non-metropolitan county.
Popular Gaming in Erie County
In Erie County, many residents have been found to engage in interactive gaming as part of a social experience. Some of the popular games played in the county include sports betting (47.7%), table games (40.6%), fantasy sports (29.0%), and slots (28.8%).
Most gamers spend an average of about 5.8 hours across 1.4 days on online gambling. Additionally, a small number of residents in Erie County and other parts of Pennsylvania participate in illegal online gambling. For example, 3.5% of residents in the state were found to use offshore online casinos and 3.6% participated in unsanctioned betting on offshore sportsbooks.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Erie County, Pennsylvania?
Yes, online gambling is legal in Erie County, PA. In 2017, the state of Pennsylvania passed the Expanded Gaming Act which legalized online slot games, online table games, and online poker. The law also introduced other online games to the state, including online lottery, daily fantasy sports, and sports betting.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) is responsible for regulating online gambling in Erie County, PA. This regulatory body works towards maintaining the integrity of online casino operators in Pennsylvania. Additionally, it enforces gambling laws and regulations, as well as issues licenses to qualified casino operators in the state.
When Was Online Gambling in Erie County Legalized?
Online gambling became legal in Erie County, PA, after Governor Tom Wolf signed HB 271 into law on October 30, 2017. With the signing of this bill, Pennsylvania became the fourth U.S. state after New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada to legalize online gambling.
Aside from introducing online casino games, the new regulations paved the way for other forms of online gambling, including online lottery and daily fantasy sports. Additionally, the bill authorized sports betting in the event federal laws change to permit the game. Of course, the Supreme Court ruled on this matter a few months later and removed the federal ban which the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 placed on sports betting.
Responsible Gambling in Erie County, Pennsylvania
Although gambling may serve as a form of entertainment to most people, it can be a harmful addiction for others. This is why the PGCB offers self-exclusion programs to help those who have problem gambling issues. These programs provide the opportunity for gamblers to voluntarily exclude themselves from any form of casino wagering or sports betting. Once you're enrolled in self-exclusion, you'll not be able to engage in any online betting or wagering at a licensed operator.
If you or anyone around you shows signs of problem gambling behavior, do not hesitate to seek help. The state's Department of Drug and Alcohol has several programs which can help with your problem gambling issues. Even within Erie County, PA, you can get assistance at:
Office of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
240 West 11th Street
Suite B-050
Erie, PA 16501
(814) 451-6877
You can also call the state's Gambling Addiction hotline at (800) 426-2537, which is available 24/7. If you have any complaints about fraud by an individual or entity, you can reach out to the local Erie county sheriff at:
Sheriff's Office
Erie County Courthouse
140 W Sixth Street
Room 400
Erie, PA 16501
(814) 451-7012
Crime in Erie County
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) data, 40,199 incidents of larceny-thefts were reported in Erie County and the rest of Pennsylvania within 2017 and 2021. In the same period, the state recorded 17 betting incidents, 102 hacking/computer invasion, 102 identity thefts, 5,810 wire fraud, and 2,383 credit card/automated machine fraud incidents.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Erie County, Pennsylvania?
Yes, online sports betting is legal in Erie County, PA. The state of Pennsylvania has been a frontrunner among U.S. states when it comes to legalizing online sports betting. In 2017, the state's legislators passed HB 519 which aims to authorize online and retail sports betting in Pennsylvania.
Two years later after this bill was passed, Erie County began to officially allow online sportsbooks to operate. Presently, the county has more than a dozen online sportsbooks that offer professional and collegiate sports, including football, basketball, baseball, tennis, hockey, and golf. Residents must be at least 21 years old to place online or retail sports bets in Erie County. The PGCB is the regulatory body that oversees all sports betting in the county. It enforces all regulations for sports betting and issues licenses to sports betting sites in Erie County, PA.
Can I play Daily Fantasy Sports Contests in Erie County, Pennsylvania?
Yes, you can play daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests in Erie County, PA. Pennsylvania has been a haven for fans of sports betting since 2017 when the gambling expansion bill was passed.
The new regulations formally legalized DFS in Pennsylvania, along with other forms of online gambling. In Erie County, residents that are 18 years or older can now participate legally in DFS contests. Some of the popular fantasy sports brands operating legally in the county include DraftKings, FanDuel, FantasyDraft, Monkey Knife Fight, and Scout Fantasy Sports.
