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Texas Gov. tells Lottery to stop exploring gambling expansionNews Story
But he doesn't have the legal authority to force the Lottery to stop Gov. Greg Abbott has told Texas lottery officials to stop efforts to explore the expansion of sports betting lottery games and other types of gambling that are prohibited under state law. The Dallas Morning News reports Abbott told Texas Lottery Commission Chairman J. Winston Krause in a letter Monday that he does not want the agency to continue its exploration of the games that other states have launched. Abbott wrote th
Nov 12, 2015, 11:56 am - Lottery News

Illinois Lottery sales lowest in two yearsNews Story
Our winners will be paid, Illinois Lottery Superintendent B.R. Lane said. After nearly three months of withholding payments due to the state budget impasse, the Illinois Lottery said it's not if winners will get their cash -- but when. The Illinois Lottery saw a significant drop in ticket sales from September to October, which coincides with the state budget stalemate. Because they're not sure when they'll be paid, our players are buying fewer tickets. It's really that simple, Lane said.
Nov 12, 2015, 11:33 am - Lottery News

Democrats hold up lottery payouts after Illinois Gov. compromisesNews Story
After Illinois' Republican Governor Bruce Rauner froze the funds that pay out Illinois Lottery earnings last month, the governor made a compromise this week to get the funds flowing again. Now, however, the governor's office says it's the Democrats who are holding up the payouts. House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-25th) filed a motion to reconsider on House Bill 4305 after the House passed it yesterday with a 115-1 vote. The bill would free up tax money that has already been collec
Nov 11, 2015, 6:45 pm - Lottery News

Winners suing Illinois Lottery try to rope in other statesNews Story
Multi-state lottery groups pushed back on Monday against a move by lottery winners in Illinois to drag dozens of states into a lawsuit against the Illinois Lottery's suspension of payments. Illinois has halted payments on winnings of $600 or more due to the state's ongoing budget impasse. A class action originally filed in September in U.S. District Court in Chicago seeking to force the Illinois Lottery to pay winners was amended last week to add as defendants lottery agencies in 43 states
Nov 9, 2015, 10:14 pm - Lottery News

Illinois Lottery is not paying, but people are still playingNews Story
Joe Joost and several other city truck drivers thought they won $1 million in September. However, they have yet to see a dime because the state comptroller has said they can't make payouts over $25,000 because the state hasn't approved a budget. In October, that payout limit was further reduced to just $600. One state lawmaker says the Illinois Lottery is committing fraud, but Joost simply can't understand why people continue to play. They announce they're not paying but yet they're st
Nov 3, 2015, 9:13 am - Lottery News

Illinois border states report increased lottery salesNews Story
With Illinois delaying payouts of more than $600 because of its budget mess, neighboring states are salivating at the chance to boost their own lottery sales. Businesses near borders, particularly in Indiana, Kentucky and Iowa, say they've already noticed a difference. The Lottery problems stemming from Illinois' budget impasse have led to a lawsuit and come amid questions about Illinois revenues and a shake-up in lottery management. Many gas stations, smoke shops and convenience stores in
Oct 27, 2015, 9:54 am - Lottery News

'Daily Show' knocks Illinois for shortchanging lottery winners during budget battleNews Story
Includes video report The ongoing budget impasse in Illinois was under the heat of the national spotlight this week when the 'Daily Show' took a jab at the state for its treatment of lottery winners during the stalemate. One of the show's correspondents Jordan Klepper headed to central Illinois to speak with Danny Chasteen and Susan Rick, who have won $250,000 in the Illinois lottery, but have yet to receive their winnings. The lottery is not paying individuals who have won more than $600
Oct 25, 2015, 9:36 am - Lottery News

Illinois lottery players crossing border to play in other statesNews Story
Players lose confidence as budget stalemate halts winner payouts Randall Lobello of Bensenville said he still plans to buy lottery tickets, despite the Illinois Lottery's announcement Wednesday that even more winners will be getting IOUs. He'll just play in another state, one where winnings would be paid out immediately. I do a lot of traveling; I would just jump to the border and go to Wisconsin, said Lobello, 47. I used to buy lottery tickets in Illinois, but I'm not purchasing them
Oct 17, 2015, 9:17 am - Lottery News

NJ Lottery private operator on track to meet budget projectionsNews Story
Turnaround for Northstar after two years of missed targets Increased sales mean New Jersey's lottery contribution to the state budget is on track to meet its target for 2016 after falling short the first two years of a long-term contract with a private operator. The operator of the lottery's sales and marketing, Northstar New Jersey, is budgeted to return $1 billion to the state to help fund programs for education, disabled veterans and senior citizens. Through the first three months of th
Oct 16, 2015, 10:22 am - Lottery News

Payout situation getting worse for Illinois lottery winnersNews Story
Suspends lottery payouts for winners of $600 or more Feeling like you've hit the jackpot through the Illinois Lottery? Well, think again. State officials announced Wednesday that winners who are due to receive more than $600 won't get their money until the state's ongoing budget impasse is resolved. Players who win up to $600 can still collect their winnings at local retailers. In a statement, the Illinois Lottery said that its account for writing out checks to winners would be exhaust
Oct 15, 2015, 4:32 pm - Lottery News