The legality of betting on sports in Pennsylvania is a complex topic. Some aspects of the law are clear, while others are more complicated.
There is no question that wagering on sports is legal in Pennsylvania. In fact, it is one of the few states in which betting on sporting events is expressly allowed by law.
Section 203 of the Pennsylvania Code states that it is lawful “to bet or gamble upon any game or sport.”.
While this provision allows for legal betting, it does not necessarily mean that all forms of gambling are lawful in Pennsylvania. Specifically, section 203 does not protect bettors from being prosecuted for gambling if they engage in illegal activity such as card counting or sports fixing.
In fact, section 203 makes it a crime to place a bet with the intent to deceive or defraud another person.
Therefore, while betting on sports in Pennsylvania is generally legal, there are certain precautions that bettors should take to avoid engaging in illegal activity.
