Cha-ching! Who wants to be a millionaire?!
The Pennsylvania Lottery Commission recently announced that a lottery ticket worth $3 million sold at Sheetz in Kittanning.
In Armstrong County, a lucky customer bought a $30 Diamond Dazzler ticket and walked away with one of the top five prizes of $3 million. Also, the lottery retailer, Sheetz at 100 Walnut St. Kittanning receives a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
The fortunate winner needs to claim the prize before one year from the game’s end sale date. In order to check for winning tickets, scan your ticket at a lottery retailer or use the lottery’s mobile app.
More ways to play: online instant win lottery games
How about playing the lottery from the convenience of your mobile phone or computer?
Online lottery became a reality when state lawmakers passed a gambling expansion bill in October 2017.
First, Keno rolled out to a large success on May 1 with many lottery retailers along with bars and restaurants offering it.
Secondly, the PA Lottery launched real-money PA iLottery games. Currently, the wide variety of games being offered along with coupons entices every player.
In addition, the PA Lottery offers Xpress Sports which offers a player another venue of virtual betting on simulated virtual sports like football and racing.
House passes bill for (slightly) better lottery odds
On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed a bill by 188-4 to reduce the profit margin for all lottery games to 20 percent. Now, the bill passes to the state Senate for further review.
House Bill 956 aims to reduce the lottery profit margin from 25 percent to 20 percent. In turn, this translates to a better win rate for players.
Lottery officials want a lower profit margin because a better win rate for players means more sales. Thus, more sales would offset the lower profit margin.
Lottery press secretary Ewa Dworakowski explained to PennLive:
The Pennsylvania Lottery, and the lottery industry as a whole, is experiencing significant growth from players gravitating toward scratch-off tickets, particularly higher price point scratch-offs.
However, the higher-priced games like the winning $30 Diamond Dazzler ticket have a lower profit margin than the other traditional games. But, they appeal to players because of the higher prize pool. In return, the Lottery theorizes that lowering the profit margin would generate more sales. This results in a higher overall number in profit to the Lottery.
According to the State Revenue Department, if this bill passes, the Lottery would stand to profit an additional $450 million through the next five years.
Lottery proceeds fund elder programs for Pennsylvania’s aging population. Proceeds benefit programs such as property tax and rent rebates, transportation, care services, prescription assistance and local services such as senior centers and meal assistance.
