Pennsylvania Regulators Urge NFL Bettors to Use Legal Sites

The Core of the Warning

The PGCB’s central message focuses on a critical distinction: player protection. According to the board, the legal, regulated market provides a suite of mandatory safeguards that are entirely absent on illegal platforms.

“For a gambler to protect themselves, they should be very hesitant to use Illegal offshore sites,” said PGCB Executive Director Kevin O’Toole. “Only on the Pennsylvania regulated sites can a bettor choose to utilize self-imposed limits to better control their wagering activities.”

A key part of this protection is consumer recourse. If a player has a dispute with a licensed operator over winnings or account issues, they can file a formal complaint with the PGCB, which will then launch an investigation. This vital consumer protection is not available for players who use unregulated offshore sites, leaving them with no one to turn to if a problem arises.

A Framework for Responsible Gaming

Beyond dispute resolution, the regulated market in Pennsylvania is built on a framework of responsible gaming tools that are required by law. These tools are designed to empower players to manage their own activity and prevent problematic behavior.

“Legal, Board-regulated online sportsbooks must offer options for a player to control their gambling activity,” O’Toole explained.

These mandatory tools include the ability for players to set their own limits on:

• The amount of time they spend on a site.
• The amount of money they can deposit.
• The amount they are able to wager.

Licensed operators are also required to offer “Cool-Off Periods,” which allow players to take a short-term break from betting for a period of days, weeks, or months. For those seeking a more comprehensive solution, the PGCB offers a statewide Self-Exclusion Program, which allows individuals to self-ban from all licensed online gaming platforms in Pennsylvania.

A Resource for Bettors

To help the public easily distinguish between legal and illegal operators, the PGCB has created a dedicated resource on its website. A complete list of all 12 licensed online sportsbooks, as well as regulated iGaming, online poker, and fantasy contest sites, is available on the homepage of the board’s official website, gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov.

As betting activity reaches its peak with the start of the NFL season, the PGCB’s message is clear: the choice of where to place a bet has significant consequences for consumer safety, security, and access to responsible gaming resources. By steering players toward the regulated market, the board aims to ensure that the football season remains an entertaining, and safe, experience for all participants.