The Pennsylvania Lottery is looking to increase its revenue by offering higher payouts in order to attract more players. This move is part of an effort to generate more funds for senior citizen programs, such as free bus passes, property tax and rent rebates, and low-cost prescriptions. Currently, the Lottery is required to make at least a 20% profit from traditional game sales, but Governor Josh Shapiro is proposing to eliminate this profit margin requirement in the 2025-26 budget.
The argument is that by offering more high payout games, the Lottery will be able to attract more customers, increase profits, and ultimately benefit senior programs. However, critics, such as Andrew Shaffer from the national nonprofit Stop Predatory Gambling, are concerned that increasing lottery participation may lead to more harm, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Despite some pushback, the Lottery has been advocating for the elimination of the profit percentage mandate for years in order to offer more appealing games with bigger prizes. Lawmakers have previously approved acts to decrease the profit margin requirement, which began at 30% and currently stands at 20%.
The Pennsylvania Lottery hopes that by eliminating the profit requirement, it will be able to offer more high payout games, attract more players, and ultimately generate more funds for senior programs. This proposed change could potentially bring in an additional $1.24 billion in profit over 10 years, as outlined in the latest Lottery profit report.
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