Pennsylvania Lottery resumes ticket sales after being shutdown by computer upgrade

The Pennsylvania Lottery says it returned to normal operations following a computer system upgrade that prompted terminals to shut down on Tuesday. 

The upgrade was part of a complete computer system transition that included new data centers, test environments, communication centers and back office systems.

"This upgrade is part of a project that involves the Lottery upgrading vending equipment, improving its technology, and launching many new features that will improve the playing experience for Lottery players," the Pennsylvania Lottery said in a release Tuesday afternoon.

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A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Lottery said moving parts behind the scenes made it impossible for them to delay the upgrade.

"Opting for a delay would put us in a position where we would have to put off the transition for several months, not days," the spokesperson said.

The temporary shutdown of Pennsylvania Lottery terminals happened as the MegaMillions jackpot soared to an incredible $875M ahead of Tuesday night's drawing.