The Pennsylvania Lottery has launched PA iLottery, interactive games played online on a computer, tablet or mobile device that offer chances to win up to $250,000.
"PA iLottery games are a fun, new way to play and win from home or while on the go," Drew Svitko, lottery executive director, said. "iLottery is a big part of our effort to meet our players where they already are while generating new funds to benefit older Pennsylvanians."
Online PA iLottery games do not include draw games, Fast Play games or Scratch-Offs sold at Pennsylvania Lottery retailers. Prizes and chances of winning vary by game and play cost starts at as little as one cent. Players can try out demo versions of the interactive games for free at pailottery.com.
Players can play iLottery games for money after signing up for an account and adding a payment method such as a debit card or linked bank account. Credit cards are not accepted. Prizes are automatically paid back to the player's account.
New account holders are required to securely submit proof of identity and age. Players must be 18 or older.
To promote responsible play, PA iLottery features a number of player-controlled settings, including time limits, deposit limits and spend limits. Players can configure one or more of these limits to suit their personal play style and budget.
PA iLottery also allows players to take a "cool-off" break of up to 30 days, or self-exclude entirely for one year or five years.
To play PA iLottery games on a mobile device or tablet, install the PA Lottery Official App. Apple users can download the app from the Apple App Store. For Android users, visit palottery.com/android or text APP to 54187 to receive a special Android download link. Google Play does not offer the PA Lottery Official App.
"We're partnering with our more than 9,400 Pennsylvania Lottery retailers to encourage players to sign up for iLottery," Svitko added. "Lottery games sold in stores will continue to be the foundation of our business and produce the majority of proceeds to benefit older adults."
With the launch of PA iLottery, authorized by Act 42 of 2017, Pennsylvania becomes the seventh U.S. state to sell lottery games online.
The headline is catching until you read their fine print.
Can't play DRAW games. There is nothing more convenient here to click and play Powerball/Megamillions with or without multipliers, Cashball 225, KENO and Lucky 4 Life. We also have scratch games but not the same as the ones in the stores.
So as to appease retailers, we cannot buy pick 3 or Pick 4 on-line.
I don't really like their on-line one bit with a limit of $250K winnings, but since it doesn't apply/affect me I could give a rat's behind about it.
Our local mom pop shop put in three of these machines that are linked up to ILotto.
Watched a gal toss $100 in and she won $2. So $98 to the state.
I wouldn't want the draw games bought online. I could see hackers finding away to cash in on that.
Will say when I signed up I did get $10 to play. That lasted I think 40 seconds til it was gone.no way am I linking my credit info to my account...nope...not going to happen.
The iLottery games are a joke. What a waste of time and money.
Hey PA you want to create more revenue? Add the draw games (Pick 3, Pick 4, Cash 5, Treasure Hunt, Cash 6, Keno, etc.)
Create a separate Pick 3 and Pick 4 online game separate form the lottery retailers. Have drawings every 30 minutes.
With the launch of PA iLottery, authorized by Act 42 of 2017, Pennsylvania becomes the seventh U.S. state to sell lottery games online.
Not a true statement. "Lottery games" are NOT offered online (YET!!!)
I understand your sentiment, but "lottery games" does not mean just the games sold in stores. It can mean any game offered by the lottery.
The PA Lottery is offering online games and in-store games. Unfortunately the in-store games are not (yet?) available online, but the online games are still "lottery games" — just different than the in-store games.
Todd,
Have you checked out the iLottery games now available?
They look like games created for a 1st grader. What was the comment from the PA Lottery, they want to attract to the younger players.
Very disappointing to say the least. Looks like they just threw a bunch of kiddie games online.
Are there any states currently offering Lottery Games online?
Well "younger" certainly doesn't mean 1st graders. It would mean 18+ year olds.
Like the heading says: Seven states offer on line games. Don't ask me which ones, I know a few...KY does it thankfully.
Perhaps I was being a bit hard on the PA on-line lottery. All I can speak for is here in Kentucky, all of the sudden it seemed to be offered with little to no fanfare.
My home state of Massachusetts gets stuck in its Puritanical ways; hence the Legislature said NO to on-line games. Like a squeaky wheel it'll take time to get her oiled and it'll be offered in more and more states.
GG,
Fill me in on how people play Keno at the mom/pop shop?
So they have 3 machines. I take it you can sit at these machines and play all day long if you like.
I think there is 298 draws per day.
Do you know what time the 1st drawing is each morning? Is it 5:30am? Last drawing at 1:30 am?
Thanks
Thanks for posting their Keno hours. I thought our was 24/7; it is not; from 0500 to 0159 everyday. Guess the computers need a rest too...lol
The ilottery games are garbage. The casino down the road is much
Better and more exciting than the few games they have.
Pa lotto is getting greedy.
If they want to attract customers, they need to put more
Thought into what they are offering.
PA basically destroyed their Android mobile app for this. The previous app was in the Google Play store but the new one isn't allowed due to the online gambling. So now we have to download this new crap version from their website. It is terrible and slow. The app doesn't even remember your login. You have to login every time you open it (for example, in order to enter tickets to the second chance drawings).