Pennsylvania to Join Powerball

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Pennsylvania will join the Powerball multi-state lottery next summer in an effort to boost state lottery revenues and the social programs they help subsidize, Gov. Mark Schweiker said yesterday.

Pennsylvania will become the 23rd state to offer Powerball; the closest states that currently have the game are Delaware and West Virginia. Neighboring New Jersey began offering the Big Game, another multi-state lottery, in 1999.

Earlier this year New York also said it would join the Powerball lottery next year.

Nearly 40 percent of Pennsylvania Lottery revenues fund programs for senior citizens, including two drug assistance programs, reduced public-transportation rates and property tax and rent rebates.