The latest PA online sportsbook launch is causing quite a stir, and not just for its delays yesterday.
FanDuel Sportsbook launch came a couple of hours later than expected, and with it came an online betting product with several features that are not new to just Pennsylvania, but to the entire US sports betting scene.
Since testing came with so many delays and hiccups and the social media rumor mill was swirling, we’re here to clearly answer some of the big questions about FanDuel’s PA online betting options.
1. Can I really bet on an iPhone app?
Yes, yes you can.
If you are already using the FanDuel app on your phone in New Jersey, you do not even have to download it again.
If you have not added the FanDuel Sportsbook app to your device, just search for it in the app store. Take care to download the FanDuel Sportsbook app and not the FanDuel daily fantasy sports app.
Be aware PA users have run into a couple of problems on the iPhone front. One is that geolocation hasn’t been working at 100%. If the app can’t accurately geolocate you in the state, you cannot bet. If that does happen, we advise contacting support. The final answer may be that you have to wait it out a day or two as testing finishes up.
Another issue some users are encountering comes when they log in on an existing FanDuel account. Those folks are getting held up while FanDuel vets and verifies their existing account. You’re in that category if the site displays this notification (at left) to you.
If you are an Android user, the same general gist applies. There is a single app for Android that works in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. However, because the Google Play Store does not allow gambling apps, you need to download it directly from the FanDuel website, pa.sportsbook.fanduel.com.
2. Can I use my New Jersey account to plan in Pennsylvania?
Yes, yes you can.
This was the real surprise to come out of the launch. FanDuel users only need one account to play in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. You don’t need segregated funds for each state either. If you have money sitting in your account from your New Jersey betting, no need to deposit again.
As mentioned, your existing account can slow up the approval process, but in the end, this promises a massive benefit to players.
Once fully live and functional, bettors can travel back and forth between NJ and PA and the app will geolocate where you are and determine what jurisdiction you are betting in. For all those Philadelphia commuters, not having to commit to one state or another is a nice perk.
3. I got the $500 risk-free bet in NJ. Can I get it again?
If you are new to FanDuel, there is a great sign-up promo to take advantage of. Bettors can get up to a $500 risk-free bet on their first wager. Simply deposit into your account, place a single wager up to $500, and see if you win.
If your bet wins, congrats! If your bet loses, there is great news. That money will be returned to your account in the form of bonus money. There are some terms and conditions to be aware of, including:
- Must place your risk-free bet within seven days of depositing
- Bonus money bets on the favorites cannot exceed -200
- You must play through your bonus money once before you can withdraw it
The bad news is, if you already redeemed this bonus in New Jersey, your account is not eligible to receive it again.
4. How can FanDuel tell if I am in PA or NJ?
A big component of regulated PA online gambling is geolocation. FanDuel works with geolocation technology GeoComply. On desktop, you might have noticed you need to enable a browser extension from GeoComply to verify your location before betting.
The same technology is at work in your phone. This means you need to have your location enabled so the app can triangulate your location using cell phone towers and your GPS location. GeoComply can use that information to pinpoint exactly where you are when you try to bet.
So far, there have been some errors in geolocation, including false negatives within Pennsylvania. When it comes to geolocation, sites would rather have a false negative that accidentally keeps a bettor who can bet out than a false positive that allows someone to bet who shouldn’t. With that in mind, if you do have trouble geolocating and you are in the state, your best course of action is to contact support.
5. Are the lines the same in NJ and PA?
As we saw when FanDuel Sportsbook at Valley Forge Casino launched, the lines offered in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are largely the same.
There are a few differences in what you can bet, but that is because of state regulations, not the whim of the sportsbook. For example, in Pennsylvania, you cannot bet on things like the NFL Draft or the Oscars. All PA bets need to be based on a sporting event, so while these are OK in NJ, they are off limits across state lines.
Conversely, in New Jersey, you cannot bet on college teams from New Jersey or playing in New Jersey. However, if you are in Pennsylvania and want to get some money down on Rutgers, you can do just that no problem.
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