PayPal Sports Betting Sites
PayPal Sports Betting Sites
PayPal is a virtual wallet that provides a secure way for you to move money to and from your sportsbook account.
After eBay acquired PayPal in 2002, it became the world’s most popular electronic-wallet system. PayPal was the first of e-wallet to work with online gambling sites; however, it had to temporarily pull out of the US in 2006.
With the regulation of online betting in Pennsylvania and other states, PayPal is back, offering sports bettors a secure way to deposit and withdraw from online sportsbooks and casinos.
This page covers Pennsylvania sportsbooks accepting PayPal deposits and withdrawals. Here, you’ll find practical information on how to use PayPal for betting site payments.
Also, you’ll find the pros and cons of PayPal (compared to other deposit options), and an overview of what to expect from the new online sportsbooks that welcome PayPal.
Then, we examine the bonuses and promotions for PayPal users and finish with an FAQ.
If you want to skip the details and jump straight to the best PayPal friendly sportsbooks in PA, then FanDuel has you covered. It is currently the only online sportsbook option in the state that accepts PayPal.
Best PayPal accepted sportsbooks in Pennsylvania
How PayPal works at Pennsylvania online sportsbooks
If you are not one of the 200 million+ people who have a PayPal account, you’ll need to follow these steps to register:
- Go to www.PayPal.com.
- Register for a personal (not business) account with your name, email address, and a (secure, complex) password.
- Verify your email address by clicking a link.
- Next, you need to link your bank account to your PayPal account. This is simple and involves PayPal sending a micro-transaction to your bank. You will verify the amount of this when it arrives.
- Once verified, you can fund your PayPal account directly from your bank at any time, and also withdraw funds from PayPal to your current account.
While this does take some effort, once you have a PayPal account set up, this will provide security for years. You can now deposit and withdraw at PayPal online sportsbooks and casinos. The added security comes from never needing to give your credit or debit card information to an online merchant.
Registering with PayPal is only part of the process. Also, you will need to register with a sportsbook and to make a deposit there.
We use FanDuel as an example, though the process for all PA betting sites is the same. To do so, follow these steps:
- First, you need to register. This process involves providing the last four digits of your Social Security number (to verify your age), and your email address.
- When you are ready to deposit, open the cashier (top right of the homepage). You’ll see a list of deposit options; choose PayPal.
- You now need to enter the amount to deposit and click “Deposit.”
- A window will pop up where you will enter your PayPal email and password. You are logging into your account separately from the sportsbook. Make sure this browser window is secure.
- Verify the payment information is correct and click the “Pay Now” button. Then, you will see a screen confirming your payment, which will count down to redirecting you to the merchant.
At FanDuel, the stake of your first bet gets returned if the selection loses, which is a great way to get your betting off to a positive start.
Pros and cons of PayPal PA sportsbooks
PayPal is popular for sports betting sites and many regular online merchants. While there are some benefits in terms of security and simplicity, you might wonder how this matches up to other betting sites’ deposit options.
PayPal is popular for sports betting sites and many regular online merchants. While there are some benefits in terms of security and simplicity, you might wonder how this matches up to Here are the pros and cons:
Pros:
- It provides a secure bridge between your bank and the betting sites.
- After the one-time set-up, it is easy to use at many sportsbooks and casinos.
- It works for online merchants, which means you don’t need to provide your credit card information to multiple sources.
- You can use it for withdrawals (once you have deposited with PayPal).
Cons:
- PayPal charges small fees for card deposits and payment fees from 1.9% and up when you receive money. This is how the service is funded.
- Set-up does require verification of your ID and your bank account.
- Not welcome at all online sportsbooks.
For many people, those small fees are worth the extra security and convenience of moving money between online gambling sites. That said, cheaper deposit options are available.
Alternatives to PayPal for PA sportsbook deposits
PayPal is one of many in an extensive list of deposit options. These methods fall into several broad categories, and PayPal is in the electronic wallet, aka e-wallet, category.
Also, you can use various bank transfers, card payments or even cash.
Below is a list of the alternatives to using PayPal at Pennsylvania’s online betting sites:
- Credit or debit cards: This is the quickest way to deposit. You can fund your betting account in the same way as making any online purchase. All PA sportsbooks welcome Visa and Mastercard. Books sometimes accept the Discover brand too.
- E-wallets: PayPal falls into this category, along with alternatives Neteller and Skrill. One key difference to be aware of is that those brands charge small fees when you send money, but not when you load your account.
- Bank transfer options: ACH transfers, aka e-checks, are a popular way to fund your account. If you get pre-verified by a third-party processor (such as VIP Preferred), then this format is instant and works for both deposits and withdrawals. Bill pay works at many major banks. You can use bank wires, too, though these are slower and more expensive.
- Cash payments: A brick-and-mortar casino licenses each PA sportsbook. This means they all have a casino cage option for depositing. Alternatives for cash include PayNearMe, which uses the cashier at convenience stores although it does come with relatively high fees.
Some PA sportsbooks may launch their branded debit cards. In other states, these are funded via your cards or bank account, which you can use for secure deposits and withdrawals.
Bonuses at PayPal betting sites
Competition between brands is fierce in Pennsylvania.
Whether you deposit with PayPal an alternative method, you can take advantage of bonus offers. Bonuses include completely bonus bets, first bet bonus credits and loyalty schemes. Whether you choose FanDuel or another book for your PayPal deposits, keeping an eye on sportsbooks’ promotions’ pages will pay off in the long run.
Here are some of the promotions to look out for:
- No-Deposit Bonuses: Before you make that PayPal deposit, you can get a bonus bet (up to $25) simply for signing up. Make sure you read the terms and conditions, as wagering requirements vary across the books.
- Matched welcome bonuses: Most PA online sportsbooks will match your first deposit at 100% rates of up to $500. You’ll need to wager this bonus money before it is transferred to your real money account.
- First bet bonus credit: This is an alternative form of a welcome bonus. Some books return the stake of your first qualifying bet if it loses, up to $100. This is usually returned in the form of a fresh bet.
- Loyalty schemes: If your sportsbook is not rewarding your loyalty with bonus bets, points collection schemes, and reload bonuses, then you should find one that does.
- Promotions: This is a broad category that includes standing promos and one-off, event-specific deals. Look for a sportsbook that offers regular fresh deals. These can consist of parlay insurance, odd boosts for specific events, overtime insurance, and leaderboard-style contests.
It is worth reading the small print of any sportsbook bonus or promo before you participate. Terms to look for include minimum odds for bets and time limits. Even restrictions on deposit methods qualify, which include e-wallets at some sites.
PA PayPal betting FAQ
Yes, FanDuel and DraftKings both welcome PayPal deposits for their DFS contests. These sites are categorized as “skill games,” and are exempt from the gambling restrictions for banking methods.
Yes, you can use PayPal at legal horse racing betting sites, including BetAmerica and TVG. These sites are separate from the PA sportsbooks, which currently do not include access to the pari-mutuel betting pools.
Yes, sports betting become legal after signing of the bill H 271 in October 2017. Implementation was delayed while the PASPA act was challenged by the US Supreme Court. This was overturned in 2018, which triggered the licensing of both live and online sportsbooks. The first live books appeared toward the end of 2018, with online betting starting in May 2019.
Sports betting sites are under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Gambling Control Board (PGCB). Existing brick-and-mortar casinos license all PA sportsbooks.
At FanDuel, you can deposit outside of Pennsylvania in states where FanDuel Sportsbook operates, like New Jersey.
However, when and if other sportsbooks add PayPal as an option, you will more than likely need to fund your online sports betting account within Pennsylvania borders.
You need to be at least 21 years or older and inside Pennsylvania’s state lines to place a bet. You don’t need to be a permanent resident of the Keystone State.
No, FanDuel require that the name on the PayPal account matches the holder of the sports betting account.
PayPal provides a layer of security between your bank and online merchants (including sportsbooks). For many, this method is better than providing bank details directly. Your PayPal account requires password management and basic security precautions.