On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the Illinois Lottery also welcomed another record-breaking year of sales and returns in Illinois.
The Illinois Lottery reported that its sales were $3.86 billion and lottery proceeds were $883.6 million, both higher than the previous year. In the fiscal year 2024, for the first time in lottery history, there were five multi-state jackpots over $1 billion.
These five major jackpots played a significant role in the lottery performance in 2024, marking the third consecutive year of setting sales and revenue records, supporting public school funds and other charitable causes.
"Since its inception, the Illinois Lottery has been a valuable asset to the state government, with 99% of the proceeds currently going to the Common School Fund," said Governor JB Pritzker. "This year we are proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the lottery and a new high in net income, which will support our K-12 students and other charitable causes, such as supporting Illinois veterans and providing scholarships for the Illinois Dream Fund."
From May to October this year, the Illinois Lottery celebrated its 50th anniversary by launching an instant lottery series called "Celebration" with a second chance drawing. The Illinois Lottery also held a drawing event where players could win gift cards and hosted statewide events offering lottery brand merchandise, gift cards, and cash prizes.
Other promotional activities included a prize truck touring 50 lottery retail stores across the state and a large disco dance party in downtown Chicago, giving away $10,000 in prizes. Lottery players and retailers participated in the celebration events to acknowledge their ongoing participation and express gratitude.
Illinois Lottery Director Harold Mays said: "For 50 years, the lottery has provided Illinois residents with opportunities to participate and win, while also having a positive impact.
Looking back at the long history of the lottery and its impact, we are especially proud to announce that this year the lottery has brought record returns to Illinois, helping to supplement funds for K-12 public education and the special causes we support in Illinois."
During this period, Illinois Lottery players were highly successful, selling over 117 million winning tickets, with 75 players winning $1 million or more, and one online player winning $552 million in the Mega Millions jackpot in June 2024, which is the largest online lottery prize in U.S. history
In 2024, as the Illinois Lottery launched its first $50 scratch-off card, instant lottery sales were boosted, while most U.S. lotteries saw a decline in instant game sales.
Since 2018, Allwyn North America has been the operating partner of the Illinois Lottery, working closely with the lottery department to achieve these results. With the support of Allwyn's state-of-the-art iLottery platform, online players and sales through lottery websites and apps have grown year by year, generating $686 million in sales in the fiscal year 2024, an increase of nearly one-third from the previous year.
Keith Horton, General Manager and General Counsel of Allwyn North America, said: "We will continue to focus on modernizing the Illinois Lottery, focusing on improving the retail experience and expanding the lottery's digital influence.
Through data-driven and machine learning-based direct marketing campaigns, as well as engaging game content offered through retail, online, and via Scan-N-Play, including the first $50 instant lottery ticket and over 30 quick games, we are well-prepared for the future of the Illinois Lottery."
