As the state’s fiscal year came to a close, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board published a record figure for yearly tax revenue - standing at over $2.3bn for 2022/2023.

Scientific Games has been awarded a new contract for iLottery online and mobile games by the Pennsylvania Lottery after what has been billed as “highly competitive procurement process”.

Continuing to provide technology, games and services for seven years with three additional one-year renewal options, it follows the firm launching the service in the state in May 2018.

Included in the organisation’s new contract is implementation, operation, maintenance and support of the iLottery solution and services, iLottery and web application and web-based presence. 

Scientific Games also provides responsible gaming controls, a customer relationship management suite and resources designed to enhance player engagement, as well as an affiliate program that is intended to benefit Pennsylvania Lottery retailers. As part of the program the Pennsylvania Lottery’s more than 9,800 retailers are incentivised for every player they register.

“We thank the Pennsylvania Lottery for its trust in our iLottery technology, games and expertise to drive the most profits for programs benefiting older Pennsylvanians,” stated Pat McHugh, chief executive of lottery for Scientific Games. 

“Beyond the tremendous growth of instant and draw games, our iLottery partnership has generated significant incremental revenue. Scientific Games will continue to invest in innovation that keeps the Lottery relevant to consumers, and ultimately maximises its returns to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

The Pennsylvania Lottery’s iLottery program is lauded as “the most commercially successful iLottery online/mobile launch in North America to date,” with total sales topping $342m earlier this year.

Drew Svitko, Pennsylvania Lottery executive director, added: “Our iLottery games have proven a fun, new way to play the Pennsylvania Lottery. Selling lottery online is a big part of our effort to modernise the lottery, appeal to new customers and meet our players where they already are, which is online, while generating new funds to benefit older Pennsylvanians. Sales of these new digital products as well as sales for our instant and draw-based games at Pennsylvania Lottery retailers grew beyond all expectations over the last year.”

Svitko also stressed that the lottery has experienced another record-breaking year with $4.5bn in total retail sales led by $3bn instant scratch game sales. The 2018/19 fiscal year was its eighth consecutive year of more than $1bn in transfers to benefit older Pennsylvanians.