The news is in. Pennsylvania residents are hungry for gambling. Not only is Pennsylvania becoming one of the fasting growing casino gambling markets in the States, they are generating some serious revenues in the lottery sector as well. Pennsylvania's Secretary of Revenue, Thomas W. Wolf, has just announced that 2006-07 sales in lottery tickets were at an all-time high, helping to continue funding health programs for Pennsylvania's elderly.

In terms of net revenue going to the Lottery Fund in 2006-07, this was down by 2% from last year's record breaking year of $967.9 million. The difference was apparently due to a profit-margin decrease in ticket sales, as well as a decrease in Powerball sales, which analysts say was a direct result of fewer high-profile jackpots. Compared to 2005-06, Powerball sales were down by 11%, amounting to a decrease of sales just over the $121 million mark.

And even with the record-setting $3.1 billion in ticket sales, which was $6 million more than the previous year, net revenues were still down for 2006-07. Call it a lucky year for the players, the Pennsylvania Lottery has nothing to worry about. Even with the loss in Powerball sales, instant tickets were up by 7.6% than last year, bringing in a whopping $1.7 billion. Having given $4.4 billion to the Lottery Fund since 2001-02, senior benefit programs are doing very well.

Ticket sales also helped to offset nearly a $110 million decrease in sales for terminal-based games, which finished the year generating $1.4 billion. This was still the second best year for terminal-based games (2005-06 holds the record) and games like Treasure Hunt, The Daily Number, Match 6 Lotto, Big 4 and Cash 5 are evidently still quite popular with Pennsylvanians.