Harrah’s Philadelphia was one of the first movers in gambling expansion. The Caesars Entertainment property applied for all forms of interactive gaming licenses. It also was one of the first to pony up $10 million for a sports betting license.
Caesars started out with online gaming offerings in New Jersey and Nevada and is making its way into more states, including Pennsylvania. The Caesars online casino and sports betting app are up and running in PA. Caesars will also launch a WSOP.com online poker site in the Commonwealth, but unfortunately, it will no longer have a live poker room partner as the room at Harrah’s permanently closed.
Harrah’s Philadelphia is one of the nine Pennsylvania casinos that applied for the three-piece package of interactive gaming licenses. For $10 million, the casino applied for an online slots license, an online table games license, and a peer-to-peer game license to offer interactive games like online poker.
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Harrah’s Philadelphia has joined the online betting market in Pennsylvania.
Harrah’s Philadelphia (Caesars) | April 23, 2020 | Yes, 2020 | Jan. 22, 2019 | March 10, 2020 | 888, Scientific Games |
Caesars Online Casino overview
Harrah’s Philadelphia is one of the nine Pennsylvania casinos that applied for the three-piece package of interactive gaming licenses. For $10 million, the casino applied for an online slots license, an online table games license, and a peer-to-peer game license to offer interactive games like online poker.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) approved Harrah’s for all three licenses on Aug. 15, 2018. Harrah’s also enjoys the advantage of its sister properties operating online casinos in states other than Pennsylvania.
Harrah’s became the third casino in Pennsylvania to apply for a sports betting license on Sep. 25, 2018. The casino received approval from PGCB the following month, then opened a retail sportsbook on Jan. 24, 2019. Caesars online betting apps came later than expected in PA, likely due to a lingering merger deal with Eldorado Resorts, Inc.
The Caesars online sports betting app dropped in mid-March, 2020 with an online casino following in April.
Harrah’s has an existing partnership with 888, which launched its first online sportsbook in New Jersey. The company was plenty ready for a Pennsylvania sports betting launch. Harrah’s also has a technology partner with Scientific Games, which powers the PA Caesars online casino.
Caesars (and Harrah’s) retain their well-known brand name, even though they are now properties of Eldorado.
Harrah’s Online Casino welcome bonus and offer
We won’t know exactly what Harrah’s online casino in Pennsylvania will offer, but we can make an assumption based on what’s available in our neighboring state.
Harrah’s Casino offers players two options:
- $10 free bonus money upon registering an account.
- 100% deposit match on their first deposit, worth up to $300 bonus money.
While this is a nice start for new players, it should be noted that Harrah’s bonus money wager policy holds a 20x turnover requirement. So to turn an initial $100 deposit into cash, a player would have to wager at least $2,000.
Harrah’s Online Casino bonus code
Online Casino | Harrah's Online Casino PA |
---|---|
Harrah's Casino Bonus Code | TBD |
Deposit Bonus | TBD |
Last Verified | November 2020 |
Harrah’s Casino loyalty program
Pennsylvania residents and visitors can choose from a dozen different land-based casinos, so unless you already have a favorite go-to place to gamble, you might have a tough time picking one over another. The most compelling reason to play at Harrah’s Philadelphia is its superior multi-casino player rewards program called Caesars Rewards.
Casinos almost have to offer some sort of incentive in the form of player rewards to keep their customers happy and make them want to return. Accordingly, all of the Pennsylvania land-based casinos have a program in place for rewarding players for their patronage and activity. However, in this reviewer’s opinion, none of the others can offer anything close to the convenience, versatility, flexibility, and extent of benefits of the Caesars Rewards Program.
Caesars Rewards is a special program that only Caesars Entertainment-owned casinos offer. If you don’t already have a Caesars Rewards Card, the next time you visit Harrah’s Philadelphia or any other casino participating in the program, you can visit the Caesars Rewards Center and obtain a card instantly free of charge. Then, each time you play at a participating casino, all you have to do to earn rewards is insert the card into the slot machine you are playing or present it at the start of play at a table game.
All of your play at participating casinos, including not only land-based casinos but also online casinos is pooled together. That includes if you play on Caesars online gambling sites in New Jersey. So it is entirely up to you where and when you want to redeem your rewards. For example, you can play at Harrah’s Philadelphia, but save your comps to use towards a meal on your next trip to Harrah’s (or another Caesars’ owned casino) in Atlantic City or Las Vegas.
Harrah’s Online Casino games
The land-based casino offers all of the popular casino games a player could desire. Online should see much of the same. Having Scientific Games as a partner gives the site access to a large library of games to choose from.
Online slots
Harrah’s Philadelphia boasts over 2,900 slot machines at the land-based casino. Pennsylvania has an unfortunate 54% tax on slots, but there are still be a wide variety of slots in Pennsylvania for players to enjoy. Having a partner in Scientific Games/NYX means that Harrah’s could feature a game library of over 300 slots.
Some popular slots you will find include:
- Triple Diamonds
- Wheel of Fortune
- Triple Red Hot 777
- Shamrockers
- Family Guy
- Wolf Run
- Monopoly
- Raging Rhino
Online blackjack
Blackjack is one of the most popular games at Harrah’s Philadelphia. Blackjack is a game that partly relies on skill, so knowing the rules of the game and proper strategy will give a player better odds.
Rules of the game should be very similar to that of the rules at Harrah’s brick and mortar casino:
- Blackjack pays 3:2.
- Dealer stands on soft 17.
- Doubling down permitted on any two cards.
- Doubling down after splits.
- Splits up to three hands (except aces).
- Late surrender.
Caesars casino offers:
- Classic blackjack
- European blackjack
- Premium blackjack
Online roulette
Roulette is another popular game. The roulette games you can expect to see at Harrah’s online casino include:
American Roulette — The is the type of roulette you see in most American casinos. This version has 38 numbers including 0 and 00. The house edge on single number bets is 5.26%.
European Roulette — This type of roulette has better odds with a house edge of single number bets of 2.7%. The board is slightly different from American roulette as it features numbers 1-36 with only a single 0.
French Roulette — This is the original version of roulette with numbers 0-36, and it features two unique rules. The first rule is called “En Prison,” which means players who make even-money bets on red/black can take back half their bet or leave half their bet on their board when the ball lands on 0. The second rule is called “La Partage,” which means players who bet on even-money bets can get half of their bet back when the ball lands on 0. When these rules are available, this is the best available odds, with a house edge of merely 1.35%.
Online video poker
Video poker brings the joy of poker right to your living room. Harrah’s offers an in-depth guide on game variations and poker strategy.
Some of the styles of video poker you can expect to see include:
- 10s or Better
- Jacks or Better
- Deuces Wild
Other online table games
Harrah’s will also offer a wide variety of other games for players to enjoy.
Here are some other games you might find at the Harrah’s online casino:
- Baccarat
- Pai Gow
Harrah’s live dealer
Live dealer is a very popular interactive game where dealers are streamed directly to a player’s screen. Online casinos typically offer free and real money blackjack along with poker, roulette, and baccarat.
Other online casinos in Pennsylvania have announced plans to feature these style games. However, neither Harrah’s nor Caesars in New Jersey feature live dealer. Both NYX and 888 have the capabilities to support these games. Only time will tell if the Caesars online casino will eventually have live dealer.
Harrah’s Online Casino software
Harrah’s Philadelphia is one of the biggest casinos in the state and is part of the powerful Caesars network. It has an existing partnership with 888, which is a good sign for sportsbook and online poker in PA. Harrah’s also has a technology partnership in NYX (now part of Scientific Games), which will be powering its Pennsylvania online casino. The NYX online platform is the platform that powers Caesars Online Casino.
Having 888 and NYX as partners alongside the Caesars network gives Harrah’s a strong position. All of these groups have deep experience in online gambling in the US and around the world.
Harrah’s Casino app
Online casinos give players the flexibility to play their favorite games from anywhere in the state of Pennsylvania. Harrah’s Philadelphia offers players this option on both mobile and desktop.
Players will be geolocated to make sure they are in the state of Pennsylvania.
Harrah’s Casino banking
With a deep experience of banking for online gambling, Harrah’s offers a plethora of options for players to easily withdraw from and deposit to their account. Players will need to verify their identity before banking. This is standard protocol known as Know Your Customer (KYC), which helps protect both operators and players against fraud.
Here are some options you will likely find at the Harrah’s Philadelphia online casino:
- ACH/eCheck
- Visa/Mastercard
- PayNearMe
- Wire Transfer
- Harrah’s Casino Prepaid Card
- Cash at the Harrah’s Philadelphia Cage
Harrah’s Online customer support
Most basic questions are answered on an FAQ page, but sometimes players have a more specific question. If you need help with a promotion, a game or understanding the site, Harrah’s offers customer support. Most online operators offer support 24/7 through email, phone, and live chat.
Harrah’s Philadelphia poker room
The Harrah’s Philadelphia Poker Room was the only World Series of Poker (WSOP) poker room in the Philadelphia area. The poker room is now permanently closed, with no plans of reopening. The room closed along with all other poker rooms in the state in mid-March for coronavirus precautions and Harrah’s closure would turn out to be for good.
The 28-table poker room offered limit and no-limit hold ‘em, stud, and Omaha, and featured scheduled and special tournaments. For PA players looking to play at a WSOP poker room, they’ll have to do so online when the WSOP.com PA app launches.
Harrah’s Philadelphia amenities
No hotel, but the casino feels like home
Unlike most Caesars-owned casinos, Harrah’s Philadelphia has no hotel on the premises, so those who want to visit for more than one day will have to find accommodations in the area. Many guests choose to stay at one of the Philadelphia airport hotels since the airport (only ten minutes away) is closer to Harrah’s than Center City Philadelphia.
Harrah’s Philadelphia won’t win any for décor or ambiance anytime soon, but it does a great job of creating a friendly and welcoming environment. Not only this Harrah’s Casino, but Harrah’s Casinos all over the country receive consistent praise from their customers with regard to the hospitality and friendliness of their staff. Not every casino realizes that making guests feel welcome and appreciated can go a long way towards making a visit, win or lose, more enjoyable. Harrah’s management should be commended for showing that kind of interest.
The casino at Harrah’s Philadelphia is open year-round 24/7, while the racetrack is open for live racing from March through December. Horse racing fans can also bet on and watch races from other tracks around the country, which are simulcast every day.
Dining and entertainment
Besides gambling, this facility’s other amenities include five restaurants, two shops for essentials and gifts, and varied entertainment. There used to be a buffet, but it closed and The Block Entertainment Center opened up in its place.
Restaurants include the fine dining fare Cove Steakhouse & Raw Bar (open Thursday – Sunday), and for more casual dining, Caffe Napoli, Riverview Tavern, Philly Steak Shack, Mien (an Asian restaurant) and Guy Fieri’s Philly Kitchen & Bar. Based on Yelp reviews and other sites, the general consensus among guests is that the food could be better. The entertainment at the C-Bar includes local musicians, singers, dancers, and DJs. The performances at The Block are more diverse and include vintage entertainers like the Goo Goo Dolls and Tony Orlando, as well as comedians and specialty shows.
Casino overview
Who can play in the Harrah’s casino?
The minimum age to gamble at Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino is 21. This is the same minimum age for gambling all of the licensed Pennsylvania land-based casinos. This age requirement is strictly enforced. The racetrack allows anyone 18 and up to place bets on the races. Children accompanied by an adult are allowed to be in the grandstands for race days as well.
Security and fairness
Players at this casino have complained about the slots being tight, but there are similar complaints with regard to the slot payouts at all Pennsylvania casinos, so Harrah’s is not any worse than the others in this respect.
Harrah’s Philadelphia, like all land-based Pennsylvania casinos, is licensed and regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board(PGCB). This agency, which is responsible for overseeing all legalized gambling in the state, holds Pennsylvania casinos to strict regulations regarding permissible games, rules, and payouts.
In addition, Harrah’s is a very well known and highly regarded brand with many years of experience in the gambling industry. The first Harrah’s Casino in Reno was established in 1937. Caesars Entertainment Corporation is the current owner/operator of Harrah’s Philadelphia and other Harrah’s and affiliated casinos throughout the U.S. Caesars is also is the largest provider of branded casino gambling and entertainment in the world. Players at Harrah’s Philadelphia can be assured of a safe and secure gambling environment. All of the games offered are in full compliance with the standards of the PGCB and give players a fair chance to win.
Caesars Rewards program
There are two types of credits that you earn based on your play: reward credits and tier credits. Reward credits can either be converted into cash or you can use them just like cash towards:
- Food
- Beverages
- Hotel stays
- Entertainment
- Gift shop purchases
- Other amenities at any participating Caesars property
You can also earn extra reward credits based on the money you spend out of pocket on these amenities, as well as on purchases at designated local restaurants and retail shops. Every 100 reward creditsis equivalent to $1 in spending money.
The Caesars Rewards Program has four tiers:
- Gold
- Platinum
- Diamond
- Seven Stars
The number of tier points you have at any given time, which is reset back to zero on the first day of each year, determines your tier placement. In order to qualify for Platinum, Diamond, or Seven Stars status, you must earn 5,000, 15,000, or 150,000 points, respectively. Each higher level opens up additional enhanced rewards and privileges.
Ordinarily, one of the perks of top-tier status is complimentary hotel stays. But since Harrah’s Philadelphia doesn’t have a hotel, a player’s host can possibly arrange for the casino to pick up the cost of accommodations at a hotel nearby.
Diamond and Seven Star privileges
Depending on the player’s status, access to the Diamond Club or Seven Stars Lounge is another special privilege that is available only to those who qualify. However, Harrah’s Philadelphia doesn’t have a Seven Stars Lounge so, unlike Diamond level players, who can only visit the Diamond Club once a day, Seven Stars members and guests have unlimited visiting privileges.
Curiously, alcoholic beverages are not comped in the Diamond Lounge. This decision has many patrons, who spend staggering amounts of money in the casino, in an uproar. Some of the other enhanced rewards reserved for the casino’s top players are:
- Comped meals and shows
- Priority service
- Special gifts
- Getaway vacations
- Invitations to exclusive events
While Seven Stars players at Harrah’s Philadelphia may feel shortchanged by the absence of both a Seven Stars Lounge and a hotel, this casino makes up for it in a way by offering them a fantastic reward that is not available elsewhere. Every year they can have a horse race named after them (or another designated person). Then, after the race, the player and guest get their photo taken with the winning horse. They also receive a $25 credit to bet on another race and a $125 food credit.
In addition, every Saturday, Seven Stars members are invited to a “happy hour” with complimentary cocktails and hors-d’oeuvres. The highlight of the happy hour is a special drawing where five cardholders win $100 in free slot play.
Caesars Rewards offers something for everyone
Clearly, Harrah’s Philadelphia is a gambling facility that goes out of its way to treat its top players like royalty. But what makes Total Rewards a truly great program is only in part that it is high-roller friendly. All players, even small bettors, can earn enough reward credits to receive extra cash or convert their credits into casino comps. They can also access ongoing and special promotions. All players receive a small discount on the price of their meal at casino restaurants.
Summary
There is no such thing as a casino that is perfect in every respect and capable of completely satisfying every player. So we would be remiss in this review if we didn’t briefly mention some of the things which many of this casino’s customers have found not to their liking:
- Food could be better
- Beverage service could be faster
- No free drinks in the Diamond Club when they are complimentary on the casino floor
- Smell of smoke in the casino
- Tight slots
- Minimums on table games are too high
- Hard to earn decent comps from table game play
On the hand, players find the staff to be very courteous and friendly. Total Rewards and customer service staff and personal hosts do whatever they can to address players’ concerns and be accommodating. Furthermore, there is plenty of game variety, live and simulcast racing, and nightlife. Harrah’s Philadelphia is not only a fun place to gamble but also a fun place to spend an evening, have a pleasant meal and be entertained.
The Total Rewards Program, which Harrah’s Philadelphia participates in, is a standout because it rewards all levels of players and offers complete flexibility. Players also appreciate the convenience of the Caesars Priority Total Touch System, which allows them to check their Total Rewards account balance and redeem free play and other offers instantly any time.
While the lack of an on-site hotel is no doubt a big inconvenience for some players, what is nice about this casino’s location is its proximity to Philadelphia. Ultimately, you will have to weigh both the positives and negatives of this particular casino in order to decide if it is for you, but we think the pluses outweigh the minuses.
Harrah’s Philadelphia
777 Harrah’s Blvd.
Chester, PA 19013
Philadelphia, PA 19125
1-800-480-8020
1-484-490-1800
Pennsylvania online casinos offer exclusive bonus deals to first-time players. These offers include both a no-deposit bonus and a deposit bonus. Each of these offers come with a promo code players use to activate the offer.
No-deposit bonuses are especially intriguing because you don’t need to make a real-money deposit to receive this reward. All you must do to claim it is create an account.
A deposit bonus requires you to fund your account with the minimum deposit amount. The advantage to these deals is that they’re worth more than free play, with some bonuses offering up to $1,000 or more.
Pennsylvania online casinos are expected mid-2019, but it is safe to assume at least some of the operators will offer industry-standard bonuses of both the deposit and no-deposit variety.
Keep in mind, though, that PA online casinos aren’t handing you “free” cash once they start offering bonuses. Instead, you will earn the money by satisfying terms and conditions.
We discuss these terms in our Pennsylvania online casino reviews. You can find exact bonus terms and conditions on the casinos’ websites. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) requires that every internet gaming operator list terms for bonuses and promotions.
Pennsylvania online lottery bonuses
Now, PA online casinos have not launched yet. But there is one promo you can take advantage of right now.
In June of 2018, the Pennsylvania Lottery launched its first wave of online lottery instant win games. These games work like scratch-off tickets. However, instead of using a coin, you can just click your mouse. The games are available on desktop and do not require any downloads.
If you want though, there is PA Lottery app which also offers the games. The app, which is available for both Apple and Android also includes features like a ticket scanner, the latest Keno numbers, and more. Apple users can find the app in the iTunes store. Android users will need to download the app from the PA Lottery website.
Currently, the PA online lottery is offering a free $5 when new players sign up for an account. The process is very easy. You can be online and ready to go in a matter of minutes.
How Pennsylvania no-deposit bonuses work
Earning free-play bonuses at PA internet casinos begins with creating an account. This is a simple process that will likely involve entering your:
- Name
- Home address
- Username
- Password
- Relevant promo code
Once you’ve filled out the required fields, the casino will verify your account through automation. Key qualifications include being within Pennsylvania state borders and not enrolled in the state’s gambling self-exclusion program.
You’ll receive your no-deposit bonus once your account is verified. You can then use it to play the casino’s real-money games.
Why do PA online casinos offer no-deposit bonuses?
Because no-deposit bonuses seem like free money, some players wonder why online casinos offer them. The reason is that online gambling is a competitive space. As such, casinos are in constant battle for attracting the attention of gamblers. No-deposit bonuses are the ultimate weapon.
Additionally, online casinos use no-deposit offers as an opportunity to obtain players’ email addresses. Collecting emails increases a casino’s reach when they send out promotional offers.
Many players are willing to give casinos their email in exchange for free money. If you don’t want to continue receiving offers, you can always unsubscribe.
What’s the catch in a no-deposit bonus?
Players don’t assume any financial risk when signing up for a no-deposit bonus. The only cost is the few moments that it requires to create an account and await verification.
The catch, though, is that you must satisfy terms and conditions before the money becomes yours to withdraw. Online casinos don’t just hand out $20 to new customers with no strings attached. You must earn the money by meeting the stated terms.
The following terms are generally the same across the board:
- New players — No-deposit offers are only open to new customers at each casino.
- Wagering requirements (a.k.a. playthrough) — You must wager a specified amount before withdrawing the bonus.
- Claim the bonus — After creating your account, you must visit the bonus section or contact support staff to claim the bonus. However, this is not always required.
- Timeframe — You have to claim your bonus within the stated amount of time (e.g. three days).
- Expiration date — Once claimed, your bonus must be used within a certain number of days (e.g. seven).
- Game restrictions — Some no-deposit bonuses can only be used on specific games.
Earning your no-deposit bonus
Harrahs Pa Online Casino App
Here’s an example to illustrate the process of unlocking a no-deposit bonus:
- You sign up at a PA online casino and use the appropriate bonus code.
- The casino emails you confirming that your account has been validated.
- You’re eligible for a $20 no-deposit bonus.
- Log into your account, visit the bonus section, and claim your free play.
- Wager the $20 bonus five times on slots before withdrawing it.
- You have seven days after claiming the bonus to meet the playthrough requirement.
No-deposit bonuses are usually significantly smaller than first deposit bonuses.
Free play bonuses
Free play bonuses are a subtype of no-deposit bonuses. The difference between the two is that free play bonuses cannot be withdrawn and can only be used to try out the casino’s real-money games for free. However, should the gambler win any money in the course of wagering their free play, those winnings may be eligible for withdrawal after meeting certain wagering requirements.
How PA online casino deposit bonuses work
Most Pennsylvania casino sites offer match deposit bonuses. These deals give you a match percentage based on the size of your first deposit
Here’s an example:
- A casino is offering a 50 percent match bonus up to $400.
- This means that the maximum bonus you can receive is $400.
- You deposit $200, which makes you eligible for a $100 bonus.
Harrah's Casino Online Pa Lottery
“Eligible” is the key word here, because the deposit bonus isn’t technically yours until you earn it. Casinos put the money into a bonus balance until you’ve satisfied specific terms and conditions. Once you earn the money, you can either withdraw it or use it to keep playing.
Meeting wagering requirements on PA deposit bonuses
Playthrough requirements on Pennsylvania online casino deposit bonuses will probably be expressed through one of two ways:
- Multiple of the bonus
- Multiple of the bonus plus deposit amount
The multiple of the bonus allows you to do the math slightly quicker.
Here’s an example on calculating wagering requirements with a multiple of the bonus:
- You’re eligible for a $100 bonus
- Wagering requirements are 20x the bonus
- 100 x 20 = $2,000 must be wagered
Here’s an example on calculating a multiple of the bonus plus deposit:
- You’re eligible for a $50 bonus
- Wagering requirements are 10x the bonus plus deposit
- (50 + 50) x 10 = $1,000 must be wagered
Again, the method used to express online bonus wager terms doesn’t, in and of itself, affect the attractiveness of the offer. What matters more is the overall value of the bonus, which depends on its maximum size and the total playthrough requirement.
Here’s a comparison between two casinos that differ in terms of expressing playthrough requirements:
- You’re eligible for a $100 bonus at two different internet casinos
- The first casino features a playthrough of 10x the bonus.
- 100 x 10 = $1,000 must be wagered
- The second casino features wagering requirements of 20x the bonus
- 100 x 20 = $2,000 must be wagered
- The first gaming site offers the better deal
Keep in mind that it was the total wagering requirement that determined which deal was the better one, not the calculation method.
Pay attention to how many days you have to earn a deposit bonus
Most online casinos give you more time to earn deposit bonuses than they do to earn no deposit bonuses. The reason why is because the wagering requirements on the former are higher. But you should still pay close attention to how long you have to unlock your bonus.
The general time frame is anywhere between 30 and 90 days. Casinos that allow 90 days sometimes do this to make up for having higher playthrough requirements than competitors.
This leaves you deciding what’s more valuable: lower betting requirements or more time to release the bonus.
If you’re conflicted, run the math to decide if earning a bonus in 30 days is realistic. Here’s an example:
- You must wager $5,000 to unlock your bonus
- You have one month to do so
- 5,000 / 30 = 167.67
- Bet an average of $167.67 per day to meet the requirements
- Make slots spins worth $0.25 apiece
- Complete 500 spins per hour
- 500 x 0.25 = $125 wagered per hour
- 167.67 / 125 = 1.34 hours
- You need to play slots for an average of 1.34 hours per day to reach the requirements.
If playing slots for this long each day doesn’t fit into your schedule, then consider a bonus deal that offers a longer time frame. Another option includes making a smaller deposit so that the wagering requirements are easier to reach.
Check stipulations on games for each promo code
Another important aspect of terms and conditions is game stipulations. Internet casinos weigh games differently in regard to wagering requirements. The house edge is the main determinant in deciding this.
Online slots, Keno, and scratch cards give casinos the biggest advantage. Therefore, these games have the lowest playthrough requirements.
Video poker and table games such as Baccarat, Blackjack, Craps, and Roulette have a lower house edge. The trade-off is that they also feature higher playthrough.
Don’t let high wagering requirements scare you, though, because this doesn’t always indicate a worse deal. The following example shows that slots and table games are comparable when unlocking deposit bonuses:
- You’re deciding whether to play slots or blackjack to earn a $50 bonus
- Slots carry 20x the bonus wagering requirements.
- 50 x 20 = $1,000 must be wagered
- You play a slot with 95 percent payback
- 1,000 x 0.05 = $50 theoretical loss
- Blackjack features 100x the bonus wagering requirements
- 50 x 100 = $5,000 must be wagered
- You’re playing a Blackjack game with a 0.5 percent house edge (w/ perfect strategy)
- 5,000 x 0.005 = $25 theoretical loss
Despite having wagering requirements that are five times as high, Blackjack helps you keep more bonus money in this example. This is why it’s important to compare playthrough between different games to determine which is the best approach mathematically.
Also, note that the exact games you choose have a big impact on your bonus earnings. Baccarat (as low as 1.06% house edge) and European Roulette (2.70%) have the same playthrough requirements at many online casinos. But Baccarat’s lower house advantage gives you a stronger chance to collect bonus profits.
What are good wagering requirements for PA online casino deposit bonuses?
The standard for slots playthrough is 20x the bonus amount. This is a fair deal that sees you theoretically break-even on slots with 95-percent payback and profit with anything above this amount.
You’ll find casinos that deviate from the norm by offering 5x or 30x requirements. The former is an exceptional offer and gives you a great chance to profit on slots with a return of 95 percent or higher. Meanwhile, 30x playthrough is as bad as it gets.
Here’s an example on how varying slots wagering requirements affect bonus winnings:
- You’re eligible for a $100 bonus at two PA internet casinos
- You play a slot with 96 percent payback at both sites
- One casino has 10x playthrough
- 100 x 10 = $1,000 must be wagered
- 1,000 x 0.04 = $40 theoretical loss
- The other casino has 30x playthrough
- 100 x 30 = $3,000 must be wagered
- 3,000 x 0.04 = $120 theoretical loss
The first casino sees you walk away with a $60 theoretical profit. The second casino sees you lose $20.
You should aim for table game playthrough of at least 100x the bonus. A 100x requirement on a one-percent house edge game offers the same chance to earn bonus profits as a slot with 95-percent payback and a 20x turnover.
The worst playthrough on the international online casino market is 200x. Here’s a comparison between this and the 100x requirements:
- You’re eligible for a $200 bonus at two casinos
- You play Baccarat (1.06% house edge) at both sites
- The first casino has 100x wagering requirements
- 200 x 100 = $20,000 must be wagered
- 20,000 x 0.0106 = $212 theoretical loss
- $200 – $212 = -$12 net losses
- The other casino has 200x wagering requirements
- 200 x 200 = $40,000 must be wagered
- 40,000 x 0.0106 = $424 theoretical loss
- $200 – $424 = -$224 net losses
You’ll theoretically end up losing in both cases. But the first casino sees you lose $12. Meanwhile, the second casino leaves you with $224 in theoretical losses.
How to evaluate PA online casino promo codes
Great bonuses are a general theme in the regulated US online gaming market. This is true in states such as Delaware and New Jersey.
You can really see the separation when comparing regulated sites to offshore casinos. An offshore casino operates in unregulated markets, which cover most of the US. These operations are usually housed in Caribbean countries that have lax standards regarding internet gaming.
Their bonus deals are designed to guarantee the casino a profit over the average player. Standard wagering requirements on offshore bonuses are typically 40x, which is worse than anything seen in regulated states.
Harrah's Casino Philadelphia Pa
Here’s a comparison between playing for a $100 bonus at an offshore and a regulated casino:
- An offshore casino’s wagering requirements are 40x the bonus
- 40 x 100 = $4,000 must be wagered
- A Pennsylvania casino’s wagering requirements are 20x the bonus.
- 20 x 100 = $2,000 must be wagered
- A player pursues both bonuses on a slot with 95-percent payback
- 4,000 x 0.05 = $200 theoretical loss at the offshore casino
- 2,000 x 0.05 = $100 theoretical loss at the PA casino
When accounting for the bonus, you’d theoretically break-even in this scenario at a US online casino. Meanwhile, you’d lose $100 when going for the same bonus at the offshore casino.
Bonus codes vs. promo codes
You’ll see the terms bonus codes and promo codes used throughout internet gaming. This can lead players to wonder if there’s a big difference between the two.
For the most part, bonus and promo codes are used interchangeably to describe welcome bonuses. One casino may mention how you must use a bonus code to get their welcome bonus package, while another casino will describe it as a promo code. The two are the same in that you must enter them upon signing up to get the deal.
However, one key distinction is when promo codes are used to describe a temporary promotion. For example, a PA casino might email you about a 100-percent deposit bonus for existing members. And they’ll state that you must use a specific promo code when depositing. In this context, a promo code applies only to short-term promotions.
However, in most cases, the only thing you need to worry about is ensuring that you enter the correct code during registration or in the cashier.
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Overview of Pennsylvania’s casino market
Pennsylvania is one of the largest regulated gaming markets in the US. The state has over 12.8 million residents and 12 land-based gambling venues that can offer internet gaming.
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10 of these casinos are resorts or racinos, while the other two are small slots parlors. Pennsylvania will feature another casino in 2020 when the South Philadelphia Sports Complex is scheduled to complete their gaming venue.
Here’s the current list of PA land-based casinos:
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- Harrah’s Philadelphia in Chester (racino)
- Hollywood Casino Grantville in Dauphin (racino)
- Meadows Racetrack and Casino in North Strabane Township (racino)
- Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Plains Township (racino)
- Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono (casino resort)
- Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington (resort casino)
- Parx Casino and Racing in Bensalem (racino)
- Presque Isle Downs in Erie (racino)
- BetRivers Casino in Pittsburgh (stand-alone casino)
- Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem (casino resort)
- South Philadelphia Sports Complex (scheduled for 2020)
- SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia (casino resort)
- Valley Forge Casino Resort in Upper Merion Township (resort casino)
Casinos must hold separate licensing to offer online slots, table games, and poker. Individual licenses cost $4 million, while a casino can purchase all three internet gaming licenses for $10 million. Considering these relatively high expenses, some smaller casinos are still pondering their entry into the market.
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Given the large number of eligible casinos, competition is fierce in PA’s new internet gaming market.