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Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) Regulator of PA’s Gambling Market
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) operates as a governmental agency in the state of Pennsylvania. It was founded in 2004, serving as the licensing body responsible for overseeing slot machines and casino gaming within the state. It was the first completely new agency formed in Pennsylvania in over 30 years. It aims to be the premier gaming regulator for US online casinos, maintaining the trust of the public with honesty, integrity and credibility.
- Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
- Website: http://pgcb.state.pa.us/
- Address: 303 Walnut Street, Commonwealth Tower, 5th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (717) 346-8300
- Founded: 2004
- Register an Online Casino Complaint: https://gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov/gaming/patron-dispute-complaint-forms/casino-sportsbook-patron-disputecomplaint-form#no-back
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What Does the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Do?
Guided by the Gaming Act and supported by a team of dedicated employees, the PGCB is the state’s authority when it comes to gambling regulation. It protects the interests of the public within, ensuring that legalized gaming maintains its integrity. The PGCB enforces all necessary laws and regulations, and licenses qualified individuals and entities.
It also operates to deliver a significant source of revenue, assist with the horse racing industry and provide a broad range of economic opportunities. Additionally, the PGCB enforces fair gaming policies and ensures that any operator is held accountable for breeching the terms of their licensing certificate.
License Requirements of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
There is a wide range of charges associated with acquiring a gambling license from the PGCB. An Interactive Gaming Certificate is required to provide interactive gaming, with the board permitted to issue a total of 39 of these. Of those, 13 are for peer-to-peer poker games, 13 for non-peer-to-peer simulated slot machines and 13 for non-peer-to-peer simulated banked table games.
Five clear criteria for acquiring a license from the PGCB are:
- Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
- Applicants must have a clean criminal record.
- Applicants must prove to the Board that they have sufficient capital to operate a casino.
- Applicants must have a viable business plan for casino operations and the games on offer.
- Applicants must submit a $50,000 license fee.
The application form is accessible via the PGCB website, and a fee of $500 for the application is also necessary. In addition, the applicant needs to submit applications for each individual required to be qualified under the Act, comply with the requirements and reimburse the Board for investigation costs incurred during the licensing process.
A PGCB license is valid for 5 years from the date of approval and renewal applications must be filed at least six months prior to the expiration of the current license.
Issuing a Complaint at the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
PGCB deals with various complaints. This includes complaints over unlicensed casino operators providing their services to residents of Pennsylvania, issues with how licensed platforms are operating and difficulties surrounding payouts from such sites.
The regulatory body has a central office that it operates out of in Harrisburg, PA, as well as three regional offices. There is also the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals, which is in a separate Harrisburg office. Normal business hours for contacting the PGCB are between 08:00 am and 4:30 pm EST.
For complaints and disputes, you can or click here or visit the official organization’s website. There, you can find sections for filing complaints against land-based casinos, physical sportsbook locations, online sportsbooks, online casinos, fantasy contests or truck stop video game terminals.
Each of these has its own complaint form for you to fill out, depending upon what area your issue is in. Before issuing your complaint to the PGCB, you should speak with the support team of the sportsbook or casino you are registered at. Only if you don’t get anywhere with this method should you reach out to the Pennsylvania regulatory authority.
What Licensing Options Does PGCB Offer?
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) is responsible for issuing various licenses to gambling companies and individuals seeking to operate within Pennsylvania. The licenses available cater to a wide range of areas, including casinos, sports betting, online gambling, fantasy sports, and video gaming terminals, ensuring comprehensive regulation across the state's gaming industry.
The licenses available cater to the following areas:
- Slot Machine Operator, Management Company & Affiliates (Categories 1, 2, 3 & 4)
- Manufacturers
- Manufacturers Designees
- Suppliers
- Video Gaming Terminals
- Fantasy Contest Gaming
- Sports Wagering
- Interactive Gaming
- Gaming Service Providers
- Gaming-Related Gaming Service Providers
- Licensed Entity Representatives
- Gaming Lab Operations
Each of these sectors has its own specific application form that must be completed, and each comes with its own associated fees, including initial application fees, renewal fees, and a defined license period, along with additional requirements and conditions unique to each sector.
How to Find Out If a Casino Is Regulated by the PGCB
If you’re interested in finding out whether a casino you’re intending to join is licensed by the PGCB, there are a couple of routes to take. The easiest way is to check our list of PA online casinos or scroll down to the bottom of the website you are visiting, where you will usually be able to find the gambling certificate details or seal of the Gaming Control Board. You’ll often be able to click on that seal, which takes you to the regulator website and find out more details about the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board license.
Alternatively, you can search the regulatory body’s website for the license. The License Verification section of the website allows you to search for such, giving insight into whether the platform is licensed in Pennsylvania or not.
01
Look for the PGCB logo or seal in the footer of the casino website.
02
Visit the PGCB website, click on License Verification and enter details.
Benefits of the US Gambling Regulator
For any casino wanting to legally operate in Pennsylvania, a gambling license from the PGCB is vital. It ensures that players know they are signing up to a regulated platform, thus protecting their funds and details.
A license also suggests that the PGCB is happy with the credentials from the operator, in terms of the lack of criminal record, the capability to financially run an online casino, and so on. This makes a gambling site much more appealing for gamers.
- Respected regulator all over the US
- Excellent player protection
- High-quality responsible gambling tools
- License fee on the bigger side
Premium Online Casinos under the PA Authority
Within Pennsylvania, there are a few brick-and-mortar casinos holding licenses from the body, as well as some online platforms. They include big names like Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, the Mohegan Pennsylvania, Caesars Palace Online, BetRivers Casino & Sportsbook, and more.
As noted, 39 licenses are permissible by the PGCB. The state had 12 certificates remaining, with three for online table games, three for internet slots and the remaining six for online poker.
FAQ
What Role Does the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Play?
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is an independent state agency tasked with protecting the interests of the public by regulating casino and internet-based gambling, sports betting, video game terminal gameplay and fantasy sports.
Does PGCB Provide Licensing for Online Gambling Operators in Pennsylvania?
Yes, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is responsible for issuing licenses to online gambling operators in the state, ensuring they meet strict regulatory standards for fair and secure gaming.
How Does the PGCB Ensure the Fairness of Games in Pennsylvania Casinos?
The PGCB conducts regular inspections, audits, and testing of gaming equipment to ensure that all games in Pennsylvania casinos are fair and compliant with state regulations.
How Do I File a Complaint with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board?
You can either send a direct email to [email protected] or use one of the complaint dispute forms available on the PGCB website.
