Bizarre. The size and style of the playslips changed awhile back. There is more than one type of playslip for some games. Maybe they changed the playslip reader software without taking into account players using an older style. Are you using a recent playslip or one from many months to year+ ago?
On a related note, replay is supposedly being added (may have been already?) to terminals, which would involve software changes. Maybe that glitched.
Speaking of self-service glitches. The PA terminals, while generally good, have issues. One of the more serious ones that appears not fixed, and affects regular lottery terminals too, is connection problems during validation. If the connection is lost / delayed, the central computers may mark the ticket as redeemed when it really hasn't been. Been burnt a few times, but fortunately the amounts have been tiny ... $1 here, $2 there, etc.
Related to the above issue, which affects PA self-service terminals, is merely checking a ticket (instants in particular) can cause it to be rendered worthless! Few players ever run into the problem, since it generally occurs very early in the morning prior to 6 am or so. Terminals go on-line around 5:00 - 5:15 am, but apparently some back-end systems don't fully come on-line till sometime later. The player will get an error saying try redeeming later, but as I've personally experienced, the winning ticket may occasionally be rendered worthless in the process.
Terminal RNDs are not validated nor guaranteed random. PA QPs are lousy. Lotteries generally don't mention how QPs are generated - many players assume a central computer is involved, but that's usually not so. For one seeking some new numbers to try, LPs quickpick generator would be a better option or, heck, just picking numbers on the screen / playslip at random.
PA Lottery service is generally pretty good, but very slow when it comes to unusual issues. As for politicians, don't count on any help, but doesn't hurt to try. Another approach would be someone / group setting up a website, or maybe a section on LP, regarding lottery glitches, including RND quirks, terminal problem, payout issues, etc. With much public exposure, lotteries will more aggressively address such issues.