MECHANICSBURG, PA - Following on the heels of record sales last fiscal year that topped $3.5 billion, Pennsylvania Lottery ticket sales are up 8.2% over the same period last year, the Patriot-News reports.

Total ticket sales for July through December totaled $137.8 million, with instant ticket sales ($78 million) up 7.5% over last year€™s six-month figures and terminal-based sales ($59.8 million) up 9.2%.

The news comes while Governor Tom Corbett€™s administration is considering privatizing the lottery€™s management, for which a decision is expected later this month.

According to Elizabeth Brassel, a spokesperson for the Department of Revenue, which oversees the lottery, the sales data will figure into the administration€™s final decision. "The administration is considering historic and recent lottery performance as it continues to evaluate the bid proposed by Camelot."