HARRISBURG, Pa. (ErieNewsNow) - Pennsylvania’s aging population is growing, and so are funds generated from the lottery. This week, Pennsylvania Lottery officials announced over $1 billion was generated in fiscal year 2022-23 for programs that benefit older Pennsylvanians.  

“This fiscal year was the second-best year for sales in the Lottery’s more than 50-year history,” said Pennsylvania Revenue Secretary Pat Browne. 

The proceeds were driven by traditional games, like scratch-off tickets and Draw Games, such as Powerball and Mega Millions, which totaled $4.98 billion in sales for the year. Online games generated $922.7 million in sales. 

Officials say fiscal year 2022-2023 was the 12th consecutive year the Lottery has generated over $1 billion for senior programs. Since ticket sales began in 1972, officials say it has contributed more than $34.9 billion to fund property tax and rent rebates, transportation, care services, prescription assistance, and local services including senior centers and meals. 

According to PA Lottery, in the 2021-22 fiscal year, $138.9 million in Lottery funds provided over 20.6 million free transit rides and more than two million shared rides for residents aged 65 and older, who can ride fixed-route public transit or commuter rail at no cost. Also in the 2021-22 fiscal year, Lottery generated nearly $124.8 million dollars for PACE and PACENET to help seniors with prescription medications. 

“There are seniors across Pennsylvania who are depending on us to deliver the funding that pays for critical programs and services that they rely on,” said Browne. “We want to keep this momentum going and continue being there for our commonwealth seniors so they have the access to the programs and services that will provide them with the support they need,” he added. 

According to the PA Lottery website, roughly 67 percent of money generated goes to Lottery winners, 23 percent for senior programs, eight percent for retailer and vendor commissions and two percent for operating expenses.