The drip of online sports betting is now starting to flow.

Rivers Casino Pittsburgh launched its online sportsbook, BetRivers, on June 25.

It is the third online sportsbook in Pennsylvania. Parx’s online sports betting platform launched on June 24. PlaySugarHouse.com launched the first app online sports betting market in the state at the end of May.

Hours for the two-day test period for BetRivers are:

  • Tuesday, June 25, from 4 p.m. to midnight
  • Wednesday, June 26, from 2 p.m. to midnight

All bets placed during the test are real-money wagers, with complete features and options available. Pending review and approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), 24/7 online and mobile wagering at BetRivers will start immediately thereafter.

Pittsburgh’s first sportsbook

Western Pennsylvania joins the online sports betting game with BetRivers.  Rivers Casino Pittsburgh is the only casino in the second-largest city in Pennsylvania.

“This summer marks Rivers Casino Pittsburgh’s 10th anniversary,” said Bill Keena, Rivers Casino general manager. “We’re celebrating one decade while planning ahead for the next. Full-service online, mobile and in-casino sportsbooks are where the industry is headed, and thanks to our Team Members, we’re already there.”

Online sports betting might be new to Pennsylvania, but users should get a familiar feeling with BetRivers. Rush Street’s in-house interactive unit oversees both BetRivers and PlaySugarHouse.com. The company works with lines provider Kambi on both books as well.

RSI has generated more than 50% of all retail sports betting in Pennsylvania since the market opened in November.

How to get started with BetRivers.com

Anyone can sign up for a BetRivers account, even if they are not in Pennsylvania. However, users must be physically located in Pennsylvania to wager and at least 21 years old.

Customers can access BetRivers via browser or app without setting up an account. You don’t even have to be in the state of Pennsylvania to view it, so long as you don’t want to deposit or bet.

If you do want to deposit or bet, you will need to set up an account. There is also the option for fast registration using an existing Rush Rewards or Casino4Fun account.

Here is the personal information required. It must be entered as it appears on your government-issued identification:

  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Last four digits of your Social Security number
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Address

To access on your desktop, visit pa.betrivers.com.

Android users must also visit the website on their mobile devices and download the app to wager. Apple users can register using their mobile devices but will need to wager via laptop or desktop computer. Betting from iPhones and iPads will hopefully be available soon.

What can I bet on?

How ’bout dem ‘Stillers? They are currently listed +220 to win the Super Bowl. The lines are up for NFL Week 1 and the Steelers are +6 for their matchup against the defending Super Bowl champs New England Patriots.

Think the Pirates can climb out of the basement and make a pennant run? You’d make more than a few “bucs.” The Pirates are +15000 to win the World Series.

BetRivers offers an extensive menu of sports to choose from including:

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Boxing
  • College sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Hockey
  • Motorsports
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • NASCAR
  • UFC or MMA

Current promotions for BetRivers.com customers

New account holders will be able to use the bonus code 250MATCH on their first deposit. The offer is to deposit and receive 100% of up to $250 in bonus money with a 1x wagering requirement.

Some small print on the promo to keep in mind:

  • The minimum deposit for the offer is $10.
  • Bonus money will be credited to the player’s regular bonus bank within 24 hours. All bonus money in the bonus bank always has a 1x wagering requirement.
  • It is up to the player if and when to activate the bonus money and start the playthrough requirement. However, the player needs to activate and play through the bonus money within 30 days after being credited with the bonus money; otherwise, it will expire.

BetRivers Sportsbook deposit and withdrawal methods

Customers have several ways to get money online.

Deposit options include:

  • Online banking (ACH)
  • Credit or debit card
  • SugarHouse Play+ prepaid card
  • Cash at the casino cage
  • Wire transfer

Withdrawal choices include:

  • Online banking
  • Cash at the cage
  • Check by mail
  • Prepaid card

First impressions of BetRivers

The BetRivers app isn’t splashy. But like Ben Roethlisberger in the fourth quarter, it gets the job done. It’s simple and easy to use. The newsfeed that shows screen names of users who win is a common feature of online casino games. It doesn’t add any real value to BetRivers. Except maybe the screen names that exalt Roethlisberger and burn Tom Brady.

Sports betting marries slot play with jackpot parlay. It’s a feature on PlaySugarHouse.com and it carried over to BetRivers. Jackpot parlay is a computer-generated parlay created for a chance to win big.

The bettor can simply hit the “jackpot parlay” button and “place bets.” Or they can select a few criteria.

Consider it a lottery ticket with live action rooting interest included.

“It takes some elements from a slot machine and adds a sports twist to it,” explained Mattias Stetz, chief operating officer of Rush Street Interactive.

“The games are randomly generated, and if you want different games you can click the ‘re-pick’ button, and the randomizers spit out a new selection, very much like spinning a slot machine. You can even hold on to one or two games and re-pick the rest, just like in a video poker game.”

Rivers and Rush Street rules Pennsylvania sports betting

In May, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh earned $641,029 in revenue from sports betting. It’s sister casino SugarHouse led the state in revenue with $711,846. Rivers handle was $7,924,510.

The Rush Street operated PlaySugarHouse.com launched the Commonwealth’s first online sports betting platform, PlaySugarHouse.com.  Across four days, most of it a testing period, it took $573,163 in bets. If SugarHouse were to keep that same level of action across a month, it would have generated more than $4.4 million in online bets.