Congratulations are in order to Pennsylvania iLottery for the most successful iLottery launch for online and mobile sales in the United States! In fact, PA iLottery sales hit $1 billion just shy of the second anniversary of its launch date in the Keystone State.
To recap, the state of Pennsylvania passed a gambling expansion bill in 2017. As a result, PA iLottery launched in May 2018.
According to a press release by Scientific Games, which powers the PA iLottery program, it is on track to top more than $1 billion in sales annually.
PA iLottery sales in recent months
Currently, 46 US states participate in lotteries, but only 13 allow online lottery games. Of those 13, only seven states, of which PA is one, sell e-instant games.
Comparing sales from recent weeks with weeks prior to the coronavirus shows that there was an 80% increase in iLottery sales, along with an increase of 200% in first-time players.
Additionally, the single-day record for online and mobile sales hit $4.2 million, with current averages running around $3 million per day.
Drew Svitko, executive director of the Pennsylvania Lottery, stated:
“During this unprecedented time, we are reminding lottery players that they have the option to take advantage of playing PA Lottery online games at pailottery.com. This is the only place where PA Lottery players can buy their Powerball® and Mega Millions® tickets without having to leave their homes.”
Largest Mega Millions jackpot since June 2019
Speaking of the Mega Millions, the jackpot is at its highest in over a year. The only Mega jackpot hit so far this year was on Feb. 11, when a $202 million ticket was sold in New Jersey.
The jackpot rolled over again, surpassing the $400 million mark, after no one hit it in the Friday, June 6, drawing. However, three tickets — in Connecticut, Florida and New Jersey — did match five numbers to win $1 million.
The estimated jackpot for the drawing on Tuesday, June 9, is $410 million, making it the 11th largest in the history of the game. It is also just the eighth time it has gone over $400 million in the past six years, according to the official Mega Millions site.
To scoop up this hefty jackpot, you need to match all six numbers: five white balls plus the gold Mega Ball.
Be sure to check the winning numbers on PlayPennsylvania after each 11 p.m. ET Mega Millions and Powerball drawing.
Other states to look at PA iLottery’s success
As other states look to emulate Pennsylvania’s success with their lottery programs, Pat McHugh, the group chief executive, lottery, for Scientific Games, stated:
“What’s encouraging to states looking to launch online/mobile lottery sales is that when the COVID crisis happened, Pennsylvania had a partnership and program in place to protect vital funding — including effective management of the combined retail and digital game portfolio, an iLottery platform and services to attract and retain players, integrated to support retailers while continuing the strategic management of traditional lottery products sold in stores.
Many states will look to Pennsylvania’s program to modernize lottery products online and at retail. Pennsylvania has effectively managed high-performing retail and digital instant games, creating benefits for players, retailers and the Commonwealth’s programs supporting older Pennsylvanians.”
Indeed, many of the PA lottery retailers were forced to close, and traditional game sales plummeted by 25%. Yet in March, online lottery sales increased by 30%.
PA Lottery provides funding for older Pennsylvanians
Supporting the PA iLottery program means providing and protecting funding for state programs benefiting older residents.
Thanks to the PA Lottery, PA senior citizens are provided with:
- Meals and senior centers
- Medical prescription assistance
- Transportation services such as either free or reduced fares
- Additional care services
- Rebates for property or rent
The PA lottery continues to set a prime example for other states to follow on multiple fronts.