Pennsylvania Regulator Warns Bettors About Illegal Betting Sites
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has issued a public warning to residents about the risks associated with unauthorised or illegal betting sites, a day before the start of the 2025-2026 NFL regular season on September 4.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The announcement highlights the surge in sports wagering typically seen during football season and urges bettors to stick to regulated platforms to ensure safety, fairness and access to responsible gaming tools.
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. 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.
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Authorized Platforms and Self-Exclusion Programs
Pennsylvania currently licenses 12 online sports betting sites, including popular names such as BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel. They are required to comply with state laws ensuring fair play and secure transactions, as well as feature built-in tools to prevent problem gambling.
The PGCB's website provides a full list of authorised gaming operators, allowing residents to easily verify legitimate platforms.
In addition to site-specific controls, the PGCB has a statewide self-exclusion program which gamblers can use to voluntarily exclude themselves from all regulated betting sites upon enrollment.
Industry Projections
The warning aligns with industry data showing a significant uptick in betting activity. The American Gaming Association (AGA) recently projected that US bettors will wager an estimated $30 billion on the 2025-2026 NFL season, an 8.5% increase from the previous year's $27.6 billion handle. This figure encompasses legal wagers across preseason games, futures bets and postseason events, underscoring the NFL's role as a major driver of the sports betting market.
As the NFL season kicks off, the PGCB’s message is clear: stick with licensed operators. By choosing regulated platforms, the Board notes that Pennsylvanian bettors can be assured about the safety of their finances and personal data, and also gain access to tools designed to keep wagering in check.
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