Pennsylvania Lottery sets sales record once more

The Pennsylvania Lottery sold over $4.5 billion in games in the 2018-19 fiscal year, which ended June 30, up from $4.2 billion a year earlier. The sales resulted in a profit of more than $1.14 billion, breaking the $1.12 billion record set during the 2015-16 fiscal year, the Center Square reports. 

Lottery sales in Pennsylvania have increased steadily, up from nearly $3.8 billion in sales five years ago during the 2013-14 fiscal year.

"Benefitting older Pennsylvanians every day is more than just our mission statement," Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko said in a news release. "Families across the commonwealth rely on the vital senior programs that are funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery. That is why we are extremely proud to have set a new profit record while exceeding $1 billion in proceeds to benefit older adults for the eighth consecutive year."

The state lottery, which is a bureau within the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, was created in 1971, and its revenues benefit older residents in Pennsylvania with programs that include free and reduced-fare transportation, property tax and rent rebates and low-cost prescription programs. 

"We are always striving to generate more money in a responsible way for programs that benefit older Pennsylvanians," Svitko added.

During the 2018-19 fiscal year, the lottery also paid a record amount of prizes, shelling out more than $2.9 billion to winners. That is up from more than $2.7 billion a year earlier, according to a release, and 70 players won prizes of $1 million or more during the fiscal year.

Meanwhile, more than 91,100 players created PA iLottery accounts, allowing them to play online games on a computer, tablet or mobile device. It marked the first full fiscal year the lottery offered the games.

These games accounted for more than $381 million in play and generated an estimated $31.3 million in profit. The games paid iLottery winners more than $332 million in prizes.

There are more than 9,700 authorized lottery retailers in Pennsylvania. These retailers earned roughly $266 million in sales commissions during the year, an increase of more than $41.8 million from a year earlier.