After suffering a massive decline in sales (to the tune of $100 million), Pennsylvania is finally ready to audition their online lottery platform. This aligns with the state’s latest legislation, which allows state casinos to offer their games online (including casino games and poker). The same bill actually authorized the Pennsylvania Lottery to offer non-casino games to online players.
Other states like Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Delaware and Georgia have successfully increase their lottery revenue through online platforms. Once online lottery options are officially introduced into the state, Pennsylvania hopes to join these other ambitious states. PA is expecting their online lottery platform to roll out some point in the spring of next year. The goal is to have both desktop and mobile accessibility with several game variants like daily number, instant win and national jackpot games. Residents must currently venture to one of 9,000 licensed lottery retailers if they want to play. These are brick-and-mortar establishments, so for players without means of transportation, they are missing out on the fun. Online lottery games would expand the availability to all residents with Internet access.
Governor Tom Wolf announced that the lottery will be pushing wagers on virtual sports games. These games will be available via terminals installed in local bars and other lottery destinations. There would be drawings every 5 to 10 minutes for players to win cash prizes by wagering on the outcome of simulated car races or other sport events.
It is estimated that these new online lottery offerings could generate upwards of $35 million in revenue per year. While nowhere near the total loss of income, it would certainly help curtail the effects of these fluctuations, which is what Governor Wolf intended. The online lottery games, coupled with the state’s online casino and poker venture, should help turn things around in the state. State officials are optimistic that this shift to an online platform will sit well with the younger generations. Casual bar settings provide the perfect backdrop for games, and with the state getting income from the regulations, it is a positive.
Out of the aforementioned states, Michigan has been the most successful with their lottery. Almost 700,000 residents made accounts to play more than 50 games, including lottery games in the US such as Powerball and Mega Millions. Pennsylvania wants to take their online platform a step further and implement restrictive protocols to help people from gambling too much. The plan is to have some sort of daily betting limit in place as well as a self-exclusion program.
There are also international lotteries available online to PA residents. These venues create a buffer for those looking to get involved now while Pennsylvania prepares to unveil their online platform. International lottos provide more opportunities for bettors to win big.
For Pennsylvania, the future looks bright on all aspects of online gambling. There is now online casinos and poker and soon to be online lottery and sports betting. By becoming an early adopter of digital gambling, Pennsylvania is setting itself up for success.
