In Hollywood, it’s all about making an entrance.

Hollywood Casino PA launched Pennsylvania’s first online casino app for iPhone on Monday.

It arrived in style but lacked much substance.

Hollywood Casino offers IGT Game King video poker suite and four slot games:

  • Cleopatra
  • Wheel of Fortune: Hawaiian Getaway
  • DaVinci Diamonds
  • Cats

Hollywood Casino PA is touting itself as “the only app with games from the casino floor.”

An Apple delay keeps the online casinos away

We’ve done a healthy amount of reporting on the change in the Apple app guidelines and its fallout for online casinos and sportsbooks.

Every online sportsbook in Pennsylvania eventually figured a way to work on iPhones after initial delays. However, casino apps faced a bit harder path. Before Hollywood hit the App Store, the only PA online casino access on iOS was via PlaySugarHouse PA browser access in tandem with the GeoGuard app.

A small selection of games

The app is a definite download for video poker fans. Game King’s suite has nine video poker titles.

Hollywood Casino’s Apple app pales in comparison to its other online offerings. The browser version of Hollywood Casino contains 72 titles, including five versions of roulette, baccarat, and the progressive slot Divine Fortune. Android users have access to 71 of those titles.

How to get the Hollywood Casino app for iPhone

Here’s how Apple users can get started with the Hollywood Casino app. Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad (insert praise emojis, cue 90s club banger CeCe Peniston’s “Finally”).

In the search bar type “Hollywood Casino PA.” If you just put in “Hollywood” or “Hollywood Casino,” you’ll have to sift through too many options.

Press “get” on Hollywood Casino PA, then “install” followed by  “open.”

The intro screen lays out the three steps to get started:

  • Register
  • Deposit
  • Play

To advance, press “let’s go.”

Information needed to register:

  • Username
  • Email
  • Password (Must contain eight characters including one uppercase letter and one number)
  • Security question
  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Cell number
  • Address
  • Last four digits of Social Security number

Enable location

When using the Hollywood Casino app, or playing on any online casino in the state, you must be physically located in Pennsylvania. The app requires you to enable location service. If you do not, you won’t be able to play.

Here’s how to turn on your location services:

On iOS: Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services. Make sure that the switched is toggled on. Make sure WiFi is enabled, even if you aren’t connected to a network as this helps with location accuracy.

Promotions for Hollywood Casino

Hollywood Casino is offering a $25 bonus to newly registered players. Funds automatically load to your account.

Don’t forget this fine print to note on the promo:

  • The offer is only valid on the desktop version of the casino or the app.
  • The promotion runs from July 15 to Dec. 31.
  • Bonus credits are non-cashable and cannot be withdrawn.
  • Bonus credits must be wagered at least one time. Winnings generated from wagering of bonus credits will be transferred to the registered player’s cash balance at which time they may be withdrawn.

Deposit, withdraw options for Hollywood Casino for iPhone

Next up, you will need to know how to fund your Hollywood Casino account to get started playing on the app. Be advised that the deposit options are somewhat more limited than on the browser.

Deposit options

  • Debit card
  • Credit card
  • ACH (bank account)
  • Play+
  • PayNearMe

Withdrawal options

  • ACH (bank account)
  • Play+
  • Check