Pennsylvania Lottery computer upgrade will affect players' ability to buy, cash tickets (2024)

If Tuesday is your regular day for buying lottery tickets in Pennsylvania, you'll want to change your plans for March 19.

Pennsylvania Lottery officials announced they're upgrading to a new computer system that day to make the playing experience better, but first it will affect people's ability to buy some tickets and cash winning tickets.

When is the upgrade?

The transition to a new system is expected to start very early Tuesday morning and last until late in the day, officials said. Updates will be posted at www.palottery.state.pa.us/upgrade.

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What does it mean for lottery players?

• Lottery drawings will still occur that day, officials said, but players won’t be able to buy any Fast Play tickets or Draw Game tickets at Pennsylvania Lottery retail locations or online. That includes tickets for Powerball, Mega Millions, Treasure Hunt, Cash 5 with Quick Cash, Match 6 Lotto, Cash4Life and the Pick games. However, eInstant games will be available to play.
• Players will be able to purchase scratch-off tickets at the counter and at vending machines at lottery retailers using cash only.
• No vouchers will be able to be produced or used during the transition.
• Winning tickets won’t be able to be paid during this time period. For winning scratch-off tickets, officials encourage players to sign the back of their tickets and hold on to them until they can be claimed once the system upgrade is complete.
• Results of some drawings might not be posted to the Pennsylvania Lottery website until the system upgrade is complete.

From November:$1 million scratch-off lottery ticket claimed in Erie County

Dana Massing can be reached at dmassing@timesnews.com.