Despite gambling only having been legal in the state for around 15 years, Pennsylvania has fully embraced the industry. The state now has the second-highest casino revenue in the United States, after Nevada. There are 16 casinos in the state, a mix of stand-alone casinos, racinos (racecourses with an attached casino) and mini-casinos. They are spread all across the state.
Even more recently, Pennsylvania has legalized online casinos. They were one of the first four states to embrace this new facet of the industry. Online casinos might all offer similar games but that doesn’t mean that you’ll get the same experience from playing at all of them. Playing at a regulated casino in PA is a much better option than playing at an offshore casino.
Here are five tips for playing at an online casino in Pennsylvania:
Know what the laws are
Before you start playing, it’s always good to check the gambling laws. In Pennsylvania, you need to be over 21 to gamble at an online casino. You also need to be within state lines. This means that you don’t have to be a resident to play, you can just visit and play while you’re there. On the other hand, it also means that if you’re on a trip out of state, you’ll have to wait to play until you’re back home.
Check for bonuses and promotions
The fact that companies keep the best deals for new customers is so well-known that some cell phone and insurance companies have begun to make a big deal about how they offer the same deals to new customers and loyal ones. Online casinos are no different, most offer great welcome bonuses and some have promotions to reward loyal customers too.
Before you choose an online casino to play at, take a look at the available welcome bonuses. Most will include free spins or a deposit match. It’s also a good idea to take a look at what promotions there are. Some are linked to playing a particular game. For example, if you love playing blackjack then finding an online casino that offers a reward for playing on the 21st of each month is a great way to make the most of your playing time.
Pick the right payment method
Online casinos usually offer a range of payment methods. In order to keep track of your spending (and your winnings!) it’s best to stick with one payment method. This is also more convenient. Most online casinos will accept prepaid debit cards, PayPal, Skrill, wire transfers, and most of the popular e-wallets. Some also accept cryptocurrencies.
If you’re someone that struggles with keeping track of their finances or just someone who likes to have everything clearly organized, setting aside a special account for gambling money might be a good idea. Similarly, you could use an app that you don’t use for other things as your gambling deposits and withdrawals ‘bank’. That way, your regular accounts are kept separate and it will be more difficult to overspend.
Set a limit
One of the best tips for playing at any casino is to set a limit and stick to it. Gambling addiction can become a serious problem that becomes harder to get over the worse it gets. Setting a limit and sticking to it is key to avoiding the development of a gambling problem.
The limit you set should be an amount you feel comfortable losing. If you win then that’s fantastic, if you lose then it isn’t a huge problem. Being able to stop makes it possible to keep gambling fun. This also helps to refocus your mind on the game rather than winning. Since the odds are always in the house’s favor, playing for fun should be your focus.
Learn the rules of the games
Before you dive headfirst into online gambling, it’s a good idea to make sure that you understand the rules of the games that you’re playing. No one is expecting you to be an expert card shark from day one but knowing the rules from the beginning will make playing less frustrating and more enjoyable.
This is especially true if you’re interested in playing live dealer casino games. With these table games, you’re interacting with a real dealer and other players in real time. If you don’t know the rules and hold the game up, you end up wasting other people’s time and that can put a damper on the game for everyone.
