Key Moments:
- Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reports that over 90% of wagers are placed online as the NFL season begins
- Nationwide, regulated sportsbooks are forecasted to process nearly $30bn in NFL bets, with Pennsylvania gaming revenue rising to $557m in July
- Officials caution that offshore betting sites lack consumer safeguards like deposit limits, time controls, and dispute resolution
Online Activity Surges as NFL Season Kicks Off
With the new NFL season underway, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) anticipates a significant increase in betting activity across the state. Already, more than 90% of wagers are placed online. However, authorities warn that many platforms still operate outside state regulations, exposing players to risks if problems occur.
Regulatory Oversight and Player Protection
The PGCB currently oversees 12 licensed online sportsbooks in Pennsylvania. These regulated operators must provide tools to encourage responsible gambling, such as deposit limits, time restrictions, and optional ‘cool-off’ periods that let users pause wagering for days or weeks. These features are intended to help players manage their activities and avoid problematic gambling behaviors.
“For a gambler to protect themselves, they should be very hesitant to use Illegal offshore sites,” Board Executive Director Kevin O’Toole said. “Only on the Pennsylvania-regulated sites can a bettor choose to utilise 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,” O’Toole said. “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.”
Offshore sites lack these controls, leaving players exposed to harm and without recourse if disputes arise. As the PGCB stated, “The Board, though, cannot offer this service if a bettor encounters a problem with an illegal offshore platform.”
Growth of Legal Betting and Responsible Gambling Campaigns
The U.S. sports betting market is projected to handle nearly $30bn in NFL wagers, an 8.5% increase from last year. Pennsylvania continues to stand out as a major hub, reporting $557m in gaming revenue for July alone, representing an 11% increase over the same month last year.
The NFL maintains its status as the country’s top sport for betting, with expectations that the Super Bowl will attract over $1.3bn in wagers. Regulatory agencies and sports leagues are monitoring these developments to prevent misconduct and protect players.
“Only the sites that have been vetted, licensed, and regulated for play in Pennsylvania by the Board are required to provide essential tools that offer options that allow the bettors to moderate time and spend on the authorised sites,” O’Toole said.
Nationally, campaigns like the American Gaming Association’s ‘Have A Game Plan’ address betting-related issues, including player and official treatment. The campaign introduced a new “Keep Your Cool” principle this year in response to these issues.
As the legal market expands, regulators stress that player safety and responsible gambling must take priority over short-term revenue gains.
Regulated vs. Offshore Betting Sites: Features Comparison
| Feature | Regulated PA Sites | Offshore Sites |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit Limits | Yes | No |
| Time Caps | Yes | No |
| Cool-Off Periods | Yes | No |
| State Recourse for Disputes | Yes | No |
- Author
Daniel Williams
