Published: August 1, 2019

Pennsylvania Lottery reports record sales after adding online, bar games

“Families across the commonwealth rely on the vital senior programs that are funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery,” Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko stated in a press release. “That is why we are extremely proud to have set a new profit record.”

The Pennsylvania Lottery announced today that this year’s $4.5 billion revenue from Pennsylvania Lottery games hit a record, topping last year’s record $4.2 billion.

A record $2.9 billion was paid out to ticket buyers, and 70 people won $1 million or more.

Proceeds of $1.14 billion will fund programs that serve Pennsylvania’s elderly. That’s $49.6 million more than last year’s proceeds.

“Families across the commonwealth rely on the vital senior programs that are funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery,” Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko stated in a press release. “That is why we are extremely proud to have set a new profit record.”

He said the profits that will benefit older residents exceeded $1 billion for the eighth consecutive year.

Sales commissions to 9,700 licensed retailers rose to $266 million, an increase of more than $41.8 million from the last fiscal year.

Act 42, which the state Legislature passed in 2017, expanded the number of games for the Lottery to offer.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the numbers:

▪ Scratch-off games earned a record of more than $2.9 billion, 66 percent of all sales.

▪ Sales of multi-state games — Powerball, Mega Millions and Cash4Life — grew by more than $82.2 million, more than 19% over last year.

▪ In the first year of iLottery, online gaming revenue totaled more than $381 million, with more than 91,100 new online accounts. iLottery prizes exceeded $332 million.

▪ Keno and virtual sports games played in bars totaled almost $47 million in sales.

The results are based on the fiscal year, July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.

“We are thrilled that the new and exciting games that were authorized by Act 42 of 2017 are proving to be a tremendous success,” Mr. Svitko said. “We’re always working hard to find innovative ways we can responsibly grow profits to benefit older Pennsylvanians.”

Since the Lottery began in 1972, sales have contributed more than $30 billion to pay for property tax and rent rebates, transportation, prescription assistance and care and meals for the elderly.

The Pennsylvania Lottery operates as a bureau within the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2019/08/01/Pennsylvania-Lottery-revenue-record-elderly-aging-care-profits/stories/201908010099