The Pennsylvania Lottery - PALOTTERY.COM - is the state lottery of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It was created by the Pennsylvania Legislature on August 26, 1971 and that October, Henry Kaplan was appointed as its first Executive Director. The Lottery premiered on March 7, 1972.

By state law, at least 40 percent of lottery proceeds is required to be paid as prizes and at least 30 percent is required to fund programs. Currently, the Pennsylvania Lottery exceeds these requirements, for 55.1% is paid as prizes, 34.5% is paid to programs, 8.0% is paid as retailer and vendor commissions, and 2.4% is consumed as operating expenses.

For the 2003-2004 fiscal year, approximately $2.37 billion in gross revenue was acquired through proceeds and interest. Approximately $1.306 billion was paid as prizes, $817.8 million was paid to programs, $189.6 million was paid as retailer and vendor commissions, and $56.9 million was paid to advertising and operations. The gross revenue for fiscal year 2003-2004 represents an increase of approximately 40.6% in sales over the past five years (since fiscal year 1998-1999).

The Pennsylvania Lottery is the only lottery in the United States that exclusively targets all of its proceeds to programs for older residents. Since the beginning of the Lottery in 1972, more than $14.6 billion has been contributed to programs.

Claiming a winning ticket
Pennsylvania Lottery retailers can pay prizes up to, and including, $2,500 for online tickets and $500 for instant tickets. In such cases, no personal information needs to be disclosed by the winner. Claiming a prize over either amount, though, requires a standard claim form to be filed with a lottery retailer. However, for instant games that make annuity payments, as well as the top prizes in Cash 5 or MATCH 6, a claim should be filed at an area lottery office. For Powerball jackpots, a claim must be filed at Lottery Headquarters.

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