State-run lottery / Government-operated gaming

• IL

  Illinois Lottery

  Chicago, Illinois, USA

  Founded in 1974 following state legislation approved in 1973, the Illinois Lottery is one of the oldest state lotteries in the United States. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the lottery is operated by the Illinois Department of the Lottery, a state agency, and has been managed since 2018 by Allwyn North America (formerly Camelot Illinois) under a private‑management contract. The Illinois Lottery’s primary mission is to generate revenue for the State’s Common School Fund, which supports K‑12 public education, while also funding a range of special causes through its specialty scratch‑ticket program. Over its five‑decade history, the lottery has contributed more than $26 billion to education and good causes. The lottery offers a broad portfolio of draw‑based and instant‑win games, including multi‑state giants Powerball® and Mega Millions®, state‑specific draws such as Lotto, Lucky Day Lotto®, Pick 3, Pick 4, FastPlay™, and a wide variety of scratch‑off tickets. A digital transformation launched in 2019 has significantly expanded its iLottery platform, enabling players to purchase tickets, check results, and claim prizes online via the official website and mobile app. In fiscal year 2025, the Illinois Lottery posted $3.76 billion in total sales – its second‑highest year – and generated $796 million in net proceeds, of which $784 million was contributed to the Common School Fund. The lottery also set a digital sales record of $702 million in FY2025, underscoring the growing importance of its online channel.