Pennsylvania Lottery introduces simulated sports games

Xpress Football and Xpress Car Racing are now on sale at all Pennsylvania Lottery retailers.

"Following Keno's very strong start, we expect that our Xpress Sports games will also be a big hit with our players," said Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko. "These games are part of our continuing mission to modernize our business and generate new funds to benefit older Pennsylvanians."

The lottery's revenue projections for iLottery and now Xpress Sports could hit a snag if the state's 13 casinos that have joined forces have their way, Penn Live reports.

Xpress Sports, which is expected to generate $55 million in the 2018-19 fiscal year, is the third expansion of lottery games to be launched this year. In May, the first monitor game was launched, Keno, along with the lottery's venture into online lottery games.

Xpress Football: Random drawings simulate a drive inside the 20-yard line between two virtual football teams. Each drive will result in a touchdown run, touchdown pass, field goal, or turnover. Players win prizes for correctly choosing one or more of the 16 possible outcomes listed on the playslip. For a $1 play, prizes will range up to $250 and players can play up to 20 consecutive drives. See the required playslip for additional details.

Xpress Car Racing: Random drawings simulate a two-lap race of 12 cars around the Pennsylvania Lottery speedway. Each race results in a first-, second-, and third-place finisher. Players win prizes for correctly choosing the car numbers that will place, with a $250 prize for choosing the top three finishers in exact order. Play starts at $1 and players may play up to 20 consecutive races. See the required playslip for additional details.

Xpress Sports may be played at any Pennsylvania Lottery retailer. Players can watch drawing results in real-time on big-screen monitors at 1,500 locations, with more on the way.

"We're continuing to add new monitors at stores, bars, clubs and restaurants," Svitko added. "If you don't see these games offered at your favorite stop or hang-out, encourage the business to apply to become a Lottery retailer."

Like the iLottery family of games that now number 18, the Pennsylvania Casino Gaming Coalition apparently sees Xpress Sports as infringing on the very turf that a 2017 gambling expansion law granted to them exclusively.

"The Pennsylvania Lottery's new game combines elements of online casino games, sports betting and slot machines -- areas that are legislatively restricted to the commonwealth's casino operators. We will continue to oppose their illegal attempts to cannibalize the state's casino industry," said coalition spokesman David La Torre said.

The casino coalition already has signaled it is contemplating taking legal action against Gov. Tom Wolf's administration over its objections to the introduction of iLottery games. Casinos argue those games are too close to the type of online interactive games they themselves hope to offer soon and which the lottery is barred in state law from offering.