Illinois
Illinois Lottery Reports Half-Year Results
Lottery Funding to Support the Common School Fund
CHICAGO, March 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Illinois Lottery today announced its results for the first six months of the 2024 fiscal year, in which the Lottery has generated $1.9 billion in sales leading to estimated returns to the State of Illinois of $456 million so far.
These results continue the track record of performance established in recent years with record annual sales in FY19, FY21, and FY23, and record proceeds to the State of Illinois in FY22 and FY23. The major drivers of the record performance are the historic volume of multi-billion dollar multi-state jackpots and increasing digital performance.
Additionally, the Illinois Lottery raised over $4.1 million in the first half of the 2024 fiscal year for good causes in Illinois. The Lottery’s specialty scratch ticket program generates much needed revenue for causes such as homelessness, Alzheimer’s, breast cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, police memorials, Special Olympics, and Illinois veterans. As of January 1, 2024, two additional good causes will benefit from lottery funding: the United Negro College Fund and DREAM Fund.
“For 50 years, the Lottery has provided Illinois residents with fun and entertainment, a chance to win, and an opportunity to make a difference through the funding we generate – with K-12 education as the Lottery’s primary benefactor during most of our time serving Illinois. The Lottery has contributed more than $24 billion in revenue to educational funding in Illinois,” said Harold Mays, Illinois Lottery Director.
During the fiscal period, the Illinois Lottery launched its first-ever $50 Instant Ticket. The ticket was an ‘instant’ success with strong sales performance generating over $500,000 a week for the Common School Fund since mid-December.
“A $50 scratch ticket is not new to the lottery industry, but new to Illinois, and it’s proven to be popular with players and retailers alike,” said Mays. “Already, three Illinois players have won $1 million playing this game. There are three top prizes of $10 million still to be won, and we can’t wait to meet those lucky players.”
During the fiscal period, the year of the billion-dollar jackpot continued with three jackpots of $1 billion or more in Powerball and Mega Millions. The Powerball jackpot rolled to $1.0 billion in July 2023, Mega Millions rolled to $1.6 billion in August 2023, and then Powerball rolled to $1.7 billion in October 2023.
Illinois Lottery players won total prizes of $1.2 billion during the first six months of the 2024 fiscal year, including 26 players who won prizes of $1 million or more.
The largest prize won in Illinois during the reported period was a $23.75 million Lotto jackpot won on a single ticket bought from the family-owned BP gas station at 400 E. 95th Street in Chicago in September 2023. This was the largest Lotto prize won in Illinois in more than seven years.
The Department of Lottery and operating partner Allwyn (formerly known as Camelot) have worked together since 2018 to responsibly grow the Lottery and generate funding to support education and good causes. Allwyn helps lotteries raise funding for good causes and the communities they serve, by driving innovation, digitization, customer insights, efficiency, and player safety.
“With a focus on digital innovation, combined with retail excellence, we are growing the Lottery’s player base and sales by offering engaging game content and new ways to play, backed by a data-driven and machine-learning based approach to Customer Relations Management,” said Keith Horton, Illinois General Manager and General Counsel for Allwyn North America.
The Illinois Lottery is supported by Allwyn’s iLottery platform, website, and app which have helped grow online players and sales year-over-year, with iLottery sales in the first half of the 2024 fiscal year up by a third over the same period in the prior year.
The 2024 Financial Year runs from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and the full-year audited returns to the state will be published later in the year.
About the Illinois Lottery
The Illinois Lottery, founded in 1974, has contributed over $24 billion to the State’s Common School Fund in support of K-12 public education in Illinois since 1985. The Common School Fund is the Illinois Lottery’s primary benefactor, receiving nearly 99% of Illinois Lottery proceeds. The Illinois Lottery also supports various specialty causes as described in the Illinois Lottery Law (20 ILCS 1605/21.4). For more information about the Illinois Lottery and the causes we support, please visit IllinoisLottery.com.
About Allwyn North America
Allwyn is the private manager of the Illinois Lottery, working in partnership with the Illinois Department of Lottery to operate a modern lottery that benefits the people of Illinois. For more information see: www.Allwyn-NorthAmerica.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
Emilia Mazur
[email protected]
(312) 802-4303

BETER
BETER wins Illinois approval to distribute Setka Cup betting content
BETER has received approval from the Illinois Gaming Board to add its exclusive Setka Cup table tennis product to the state’s Sports Wagering catalog, expanding its regulated US footprint into Illinois.
The approval allows licensed Illinois operators to offer Setka Cup content, including live data and live streams, according to the company. BETER said the content is already available to Illinois bettors via bet365, and that additional operator launches are planned.
Illinois is the eighth US state where BETER’s exclusive content is available, the company said, following Florida, New Jersey, Colorado, Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, and North Carolina.
Gal Ehrlich, CEO of BETER, said: “Entering Illinois is another significant step in our US expansion and reinforces BETER’s position as a leading provider of fast-betting content in the world’s most exciting sports wagering market.
“Demand for high-velocity, 24/7 content continues to accelerate across the US, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of that shift. With eight states now under our belt, we have clear momentum and a long-term vision that goes well beyond individual state launches.”
Valeriia Tarchynska, Chief Legal Officer at BETER, added: “Securing approval from the Illinois Gaming Board is a testament to the rigorous regulatory work our team undertakes in every jurisdiction we enter. Each US state has its own framework and requirements, and our commitment to full alignment with those standards is non-negotiable.
“The US remains a strategically vital market for BETER, and we continue to work actively to secure approvals in additional key states. We are building real scale in this market, with much more to come.”
The post BETER wins Illinois approval to distribute Setka Cup betting content appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Illinois
Illinois Lottery Launches Festive Lineup of Holiday Games and Promotions

CHICAGO, Nov. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Illinois Lottery is going big this holiday season, spreading cheer across the state with five new holiday-themed Instant Tickets and two exciting promotions: Holly Jolly 2nd Chance and Get in the Spirit Sweepstakes.
The new Holiday Instant Tickets are a fun and festive way to share the excitement of the season—whether tucked into a stocking, given as a small gesture of appreciation, or shared with friends and family. Each ticket delivers the thrill of a potential win while helping to support education in Illinois.
Last holiday season, from November 1 through December 31, 2024, Illinois players won more than $273 million in prizes from over 11.2 million winning Instant Tickets.
“Gifting Holiday Instant Tickets is a tradition for many Illinoisans,” said Harold Mays, Director of the Illinois Lottery. “We are happy to be part of that tradition and excited about this year’s line-up.”
New Holiday Instant Tickets
This year’s holiday lineup features festive designs and a range of prize opportunities, with top prizes up to $1 million:
- Holiday Cookie Cash – $1 Ticket – Win up to $500
- Gnome for the Holidays – $2 Ticket – Win up to $50,000
- Jingle Bell Blowout – $5 Ticket – Loaded with $10, $25, $50, and $200 Prizes
- Holiday Bucks – $10 Ticket – Win up to $500,000
- $1,000,000 Holiday Gold – $20 Ticket – Win up to $1,000,000
Holiday Promotions and Events
Alongside these festive new games, the Illinois Lottery is also spreading extra cheer through a series of holiday promotions and community events designed to keep the celebration going all season long.
Holly Jolly 2nd Chance:
Players can enter any eligible non-winning 2025 Illinois Lottery Holiday Instant Ticket into the Holly Jolly 2nd Chance Promotion for weekly chances to win $500 prizes or the grand prize of $250,000. The final entry deadline is January 11, 2026. See official rules for weekly drawing deadlines.
Get in the Spirit Sweepstakes:
Running through December 31, 2025, this sweepstakes will award one player $2,500, with five additional winners each receiving $500. Click here to enter or learn more.
The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® (November 22, 2025):
Join the Illinois Lottery at Lights Festival Lane (Pioneer Court) from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. for holiday fun, prizes, and festive photo opportunities. The first 50 consumers who purchase $30 or more in lottery tickets in a single transaction will also receive an additional giveaway.
Christkindlmarket Aurora (December 20–21, 2025):
Visit the Illinois Lottery Holiday Truck on-site December 20 (11 a.m. – 8 p.m.) and December 21 (11 a.m. – 6 p.m.) to play games, win prizes, and capture memories at the holiday photo booth. The first 50 consumers who purchase $30 or more in lottery tickets in a single transaction will receive an additional giveaway.
Holiday Instant Ticket Radio Giveaway:
The Illinois Lottery is teaming up with nearly 60 radio stations statewide for a festive giveaway. Listeners can win a holiday bundle featuring seven Instant Tickets — including one that could be worth up to $1 million. Each station will give away five bundles. Click here for a list of participating radio stations.
The Illinois Lottery’s Holiday Instant Tickets are available now at nearly 7,000 retail locations statewide, priced from $1 to $20. Click here to find a store near you.
Holly Jolly 2nd Chance b-roll, available for media use; download here.
Get in the Spirit Sweepstakes b-roll, available for media use; download here.
The Illinois Lottery reminds players to Be Smart, Gift Smart when purchasing Instant Tickets during the holiday season. Throughout the year, we encourage players to play for fun, not funds, and to set a limit and stick to it. For more information on how to gift and game responsibly, please go to IllinoisLottery.com and visit our Responsible Gaming pages.
About the Illinois Lottery
The Illinois Lottery, founded in 1974, has contributed over $25 billion to the State’s Common School Fund in support of K-12 public education in Illinois since 1985. The Common School Fund is the Illinois Lottery’s primary beneficiary, receiving nearly 99% of Illinois Lottery proceeds. The Illinois Lottery also supports various specialty causes as described in the Illinois Lottery Law (20 ILCS 1605/21.4). For more information about the Illinois Lottery and the causes we support, please visit IllinoisLottery.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer Born
[email protected]
(312) 579-5134
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8a22956e-c674-4530-859a-f7a517770f87

Illinois
Illinois Lottery Generates Essential Funding For K-12 Education
CHICAGO, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Illinois Lottery has delivered another strong year of results — $3.76 billion in total sales, its second highest sales year, and $796 million in proceeds, its fifth best year for net income; resulting in $784 million in contributions to the Common School Fund to support K-12 public education and over $12 million to special causes in Illinois.
These results were achieved despite a general slowing of lottery sales across the United States during fiscal year 2025, largely driven by the lack of multiple $1 billion+ jackpots in multi-state games like Mega Millions and Powerball.
“The Illinois Lottery continues to do its part by responsibly generating essential funding for the Common School Fund and other good causes, such as the Special Olympics and veterans’ programs in Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We continue to champion Illinois-generated education revenue, especially considering federal funding for education is at risk.”
In a year without large jackpots, Illinois Lottery players still managed to win big, collecting over $2.5 billion in prizes generated from 109.5 million winning tickets. Almost 100 lucky players won a million dollars or more, with one Illinois player winning a Mega Millions jackpot of $349 million. This is the fourth Mega Millions jackpot win over $300 million for Illinois players in the past four years.
“We are proud to be able to offer our players fun games to play responsibly for a chance to win while at the same time generating funding to support K-12 education and other good causes,” said Harold Mays, Director of the Illinois Lottery.
Illinois Lottery retailers also won big with a reported $172 million in commission and bonuses paid in fiscal year 2025 for selling lottery tickets. “Our retailers help fuel the economic engine in the communities we serve. They are an integral part of our ability to meet our mission,” said Mays.
With Allwyn North America as the operating partner of the Illinois Lottery and its iLottery provider, the Lottery reached another digital milestone this year with record online sales of $702 million.
“Online lottery play continues to be a growing segment of the Illinois Lottery’s offering,” said Keith Horton, General Manager and General Counsel at Allwyn North America. “Modern players expect convenience and choice to play in retail or online. The Lottery’s suite of online offerings including website, app and engaging game options strengthens the Lottery’s ability to generate funding for education.”
The Illinois Lottery’s fiscal year 2025 runs from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. The operating income figure of $796 million is still to be audited and confirmed. Audited full year lottery returns to the state will be published later in the year. For more information, please visit www.illinoislottery.com.
About the Illinois Lottery
The Illinois Lottery, founded in 1974, has contributed over $24 billion to the State’s Common School Fund in support of K-12 public education in Illinois since 1985. The Common School Fund is the Illinois Lottery’s primary beneficiary, receiving nearly 99% of Illinois Lottery proceeds. The Illinois Lottery also supports various specialty causes as described in the Illinois Lottery Law (20 ILCS 1605/21.4). For more information about the Illinois Lottery and the causes we support, please visit IllinoisLottery.com.
About Allwyn North America
Allwyn is the private manager of the Illinois Lottery, working in partnership with the Illinois Department of Lottery to operate a modern lottery that benefits the people of Illinois. For more information see: www.Allwyn-NorthAmerica.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer Born
[email protected]
(312) 579-5134

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