Pennsylvania Lottery

Pennsylvania Lottery History

The Pennsylvania Lottery was established by the Pennsylvania General Assembly on August 26, 1971, under the mission of generating state funds that would benefit older Pennsylvanians. The first tickets went on sale in early March of 1972 followed by the inaugural drawing which was held that same month. Initially, the lottery offered a 50-cent ticket with a $50,000 grand prize, with some drawings reaching up to $1 million.

Over the years, the Pennsylvania Lottery expanded its offerings. In 1975, the first instant game was introduced, followed by the debut of "The Daily Number" in 1977. Other notable milestones include the launch of "The Big 4" in 1980, "Super 7" in 1986, and televised game shows like "Saturday Spin" in 1987. The lottery also embraced technological advancements and launched online play in 2018.

Today, the lottery offers an array of games, including multi-state games like Powerball and Mega Millions, which were introduced in 2002 and 2010, respectively.

Most Popular Pennsylvania Lottery Games

The Pennsylvania Lottery features a range of popular games, everything from daily draws to massive multi-state jackpots.

Pennsylvania Lottery Games With The Best Odds

For players looking to maximize their chances of winning, some Pennsylvania Lottery games offer better odds than others:

Pick 2: With odds of 1 in 100 for a straight bet, this daily game offers players one of the best chances to win.

Pick 3: A straight bet has odds of 1 in 1,000, making it a solid option for frequent players.

Pick 4: The odds increase to 1 in 10,000 for straight bets, but box bets offer more flexibility and better odds.

Treasure Hunt: The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 142,506, making it one of the most favorable jackpot odds among state lottery games.

Match 6: Though the jackpot odds are tougher at 1 in 4.66 million, it remains a popular game due to its nightly draws and a starting jackpot of $500,000.

For players eyeing massive national jackpots, Powerball and Mega Millions offer life-changing sums, but the odds of hitting the jackpot remain exceedingly slim, with odds of 1 in 292 million and 1 in 302.5 million, respectively.

You can check the odds of winning Pennsylvania games in the table below:

Learn About Lottery Games

Before diving headlong into purchasing lottery tickets, it is important to understand how games work and what your odds of winning are.

Understanding lottery odds, jackpots, and rules helps you make informed decisions before making your picks. Thankfully, a wealth of information is available on Jackpot.com, covering various lottery games in Pennsylvania and other states. Familiarizing yourself with the basics of lottery systems and how they function can go a long way in helping you develop an effective playing strategy.

How does the Powerball work How does Mega Millions work

Resources For Responsible Gambling

It's important to play responsibly and within your means. If you or someone you know needs support or guidance, there are various responsible gambling resources available to help you stay in control and enjoy the game safely.

The Pennsylvania Lottery and Jackpot.com provide access to numerous resources and support services to promote responsible play. Whether you need tips for managing your play or assistance for someone struggling with gambling, these resources are designed to ensure a safe and enjoyable gaming experience for everyone.