The Pennsylvania Lottery still today is the only state's lottery proceeds goto programs that benefit older residents. The Pennsylvania Lottery started on March 7, 1972, with a 50-cent ticket featuring weekly drawings and a $1,000,000 top prize. Since it was established on August 26, 1971, the Pennsylvania Lottery has contributed more than $19.2 billion to programs that include rent and property tax rebates; free and reduced-fare transit; low-cost prescription drug programs; long term care services; and the 52 Area Agencies on Aging.

In it's first six months of operation the Pennsylvania Lottery sold four to $1,000,000 top prize tickets from the 50-cent weekly drawings. The projected net revenue for the end of the fiscal period was set at $30 million, with an impressive amount of $57.7 million actually being earned. By the mid-1973's, the Pennsylvania Lottery had expanded it's weekly games from 1 to 3, the new games were Lucky 7 and Winner's Choice; both games costs $1 to play. Two years later the first instant "rub off" game was introduced by the Pennsylvania Lottery. Today there are between 40 and 55 different instant games being sold simultaneously offering players a great variety and choice for their play style.