Erie Sportsbooks
Located in the northwestern tip of Pennsylvania, Erie is the fourth largest city in the state, but it is somewhat isolated from the other casinos and racinos in PA. In fact, there is only one such venue in the area: Presque Isle Downs and Casino. As such, even though legal sports betting now exists in the state, there likely won’t be much nearby competition for this Erie sportsbook. This means that the best sportsbook in Erie, PA, will be easy to identify, as it is the Presque Isle Downs.
This venue launched in late July and became the ninth sportsbook to open within Pennsylvania. They offer both mobile and retail betting, as their mobile provider is linked with BetAmerica. Despite opening in July, the Presque Isle Casino made sure to show sports bettors in Pennsylvania the best time by kicking off a grand opening celebration on August’s first weekend of the NFL preseason. Learn more about what to expect from current and future Erie sportsbooks for sports betting in Pennsylvania in detail on this page.
| Best Pennsylvania Sports Betting Sites - 100% Trusted + Safe |
#1 |  | 50% Up To $1,000 | VISA, Bitcoin, Cash Wire | |
#2 |  | 50% New Member Bonus! | VISA, Bitcoin | |
#3 |  | 100% Up To $300 | VISA, Bitcoin | |
#4 |  | 50% Up To $1,000 | Bitcoin, Wire Xfer, VISA |
Is Sports Betting Currently Legal In Erie, PA?
Sports betting is currently legal in Erie, PA, and has been for longer than most are aware. The state passed Act 42 into law back in 2017 in preparation for the presumed Supreme Court repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). This happened in May 2018 and Pennsylvania was merely ahead of the curve, as their laws came into effect immediately after.
Presque Isle Downs in Erie is now owned by Churchill Downs, Inc and had no problem paying their $10 million licensing fee to get started. A few setbacks occurred due to sportsbook partnerships but sportsbooks in Erie are legal and open for business. Without any other venue in the area to take away the market share of Presque Isle Downs, this legal sportsbook is slated to become a major heaven for not only Pennsylvania residents but fans of Cleveland and Buffalo teams as well.
Of course, there are existing Erie sports betting sites for those who don’t want to drive to the area to wager on athletics. These are all located online, offshore, and they have been serving the Pennsylvania sports betting public for over 20 years. The best online sports betting for Erie residents can be enjoyed at websites like Bovada, SportsBetting, MyBookie, BetOnline, BetDSI, and BookMaker. Signing up is free, easy, and secure, and PA sports bettors can take advantage of valuable bonuses and non-weighted lines on local Pennsylvania teams like the Eagles, Steelers, Pirates, Phillies, 76ers, Penguins, Flyers, and a number of NCAA Division I clubs.
Best Sportsbooks In Erie
In terms of land-based services, the best sportsbook in Erie is the only one available, Presque Isle Downs. There are simply no other established gambling shops in the area that would currently qualify for a Pennsylvania sports betting license.
That said, the very best Erie sportsbooks have traditionally been the online, offshore options mentioned above (Bovada et al.). Until land-based PA sports betting facilities offer competitive online sports wagering sites of their own, these books remain your best options. However, as PA sports betting is estimated to turn a handle of over $10 billion each year, it seems as though it will be only a matter of time before you’ll have every possible land-based option when deciding where to bet on sports in Pennsylvania.
What Is The Minimum Legal Age To Use Erie Sportsbooks?
The minimum age to wager at Erie sportsbooks will be 21 years old, as that is written in the state gambling laws. This is the same age you have to be to play in the state’s 12 existing casinos no matter what type of gaming you play. Online sportsbooks for sports betting in PA may only require their users to be 18, but we recommend you stick with the state gambling age, as most books will have a clause that defers to following state laws.
- Presque Isle Downs and Casino
- https://www.presqueisledowns.com/
- Address: 8199 Perry Hwy Erie, PA 16509
- Phone: Erie, PA 16509
866-374-3386
With the racino now owned by the national brand Churchill Downs, the Presque Isle Downs sportsbook is poised to be one of the best in the state. Churchill Downs made the acquisition while Presque Isle Downs’s application to offer sports betting was with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). The Control Board was able to approve both the acquisition and the license at the same time, due in large part to the fact that Churchill Downs operates multiple sportsbooks in both Mississippi and New Jersey. They are now bringing the expertise and financial backing from those sportsbooks to Pennsylvania.
They also plan on bringing their expertise in online betting sites as well. Churchill Downs owns and operates TwinSpires.com, which is the nations leading legal online racebook. The website is used across the country in states that allow online betting. Pennsylvania has now become one of those states with their new gambling laws. Churchill Downs also has an online sports betting site in New Jersey under the brand name BetAmerica and this mobile platform also opened in Pennsylvania.
However, a trip to Presque comes with so much more than just betting on sports. When visiting their venue, you’ll have the option to place pari-mutuel wagers on horses, play one of their 1,500 slot machines, try your hand at a table game, and if you’re feeling confident, try your luck in their High Limit room. If you want to take a break from gambling, you’ll be able to find a lot more to do as well. Presque features four different restaurants and three different bars so that you can refuel and relax in between your gaming. If you come on the right night, you’ll also find live music and entertainment performances that may be featured for free.
For those planning to take a family trip to Erie, they should know that there are multiple attractions in the area. There is Presque Isle State Park for those that are interested in nature and want to get the best views of Lake Erie. There is also Waldameer & Water World or Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort for folks that want to treat their kids to an exciting time. There is even the Erie Zoo and the Erie Maritime Museum to provide an educational excursion for everyone to enjoy.
Still, the best activity for sports bettors in the area will be the sportsbook found at Presque Isle Downs. The area was renovated to include 50 HD large screen TVs located throughout the building, showcasing the latest odds and biggest games played that day. They also included 50 self-serving kiosks for patrons to place their sports wagers so no matter where you are at the establishment, the chance to cash in on a sports matchup will be nearby.