Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

Casinos With a Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board License

The Role of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

According to the PA Gaming Act, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has its general and specific roles laid out. These include:

•  Regulatory authority over the conduct of slot machines, online casino gaming, and sports betting.
• Overseeing the integrity of the operation and acquisition of slot machines, table games, and interactive gaming devices.

Under these specific roles, the PCGB has the power to issue, approve, renew, revoke, or suspend the issuance of a gambling license. It also has the authority to levy fines and other sanctions against a licensed entity that violates the set rules. 

BetRivers is just one such example of a casino licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

PCGB Casino Licenses

In 2017, the legislature passed House Bill 271, which significantly expanded gaming in Pennsylvania state. Under the new law, the PGCB is eligible to issue four categories of licenses. Online casinos fall under Category 2 licenses, which are issued to standalone casinos for the operation of slot machines. 

To apply for this license, operators must pay an initial licensing fee of $50M, which is subject to renewal every three years. The entity should also fill out a registration form on the official PGCB site. The regulator will then check the provided details and perform a background check and other verifications to ensure that all the requirements are met.

Benefits of PGCB Licensed Casinos

Obtaining a license in Pennsylvania is a lengthy and somewhat expensive process. In addition to paying the $50 Million initial licensing fees, there are other related costs. 

The Board has to evaluate each application and verify the provided documents, which can take months. Nonetheless, the stringent measures put in place by the regulator ensure fairness and trustworthiness in the gambling industry. Possessing the logo of this regulator definitely adds to a regulated online casino’s credibility. 

Although licensed in Pennsylvania, gambling sites with a PGCB license are also attractive to players from other states where gambling is legal. After all, when you see that a casino possesses multiple licenses, you can feel confident that your funds will be safe.

Benefits to Players

Licensing by recognized regulators is one of the key features you should always consider before signing up at an online casino. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is perhaps not as tough as some industry-leading regulators, such as the Malta Gaming Authority. However, the Board is committed to providing a safe gambling environment. 

As a player, a PGCB license guarantees you reasonable gameplay, safe gambling transactions, and fair payout terms. Here are the main perks of playing at PGCB casinos.

• Fair gameplay: PGCB- regulated casinos only offer games from licensed software developers. Additionally, they regularly audit their casinos to ensure fair gameplay.
• Player safety: The law requires regulated casinos to provide a safe gambling platform. This is achieved through the implementation of SSL encryption and firewalls. So your money and personal data will always be secure.
• Reasonable payouts:  These casinos are frequently tested for fairness. All players have an equal chance of winning at the games. Reports related to unfairness, including unjustified withholding of funds, attract huge fines for the operator.

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