Lotteries
Each state has its specific lottery law, and Illinois is no different. In addition, gambling laws in Illinois permit charitable gambling, a type of gambling in which all revenues are for charities. Gamblers can also engage in lottery, commercial, and horse racing gambling.
Illinois lottery began in 1974, offering a variety of games such as Powerball, Mega Millions, scratchers, Pick 4, and Pick 3. An unspecified percentage of lottery revenue in the state goes to the Common School Fund, helping the state fund its public schools.
The Illinois lottery includes some specialty games, with all the revenues generated going to charitable causes across the state, like helping HIV/AIDS patients and veterans. The revenues from the specialty games also fund the research and treatment of multiple sclerosis and breast cancer.
The operation of the Illinois lottery is under the purview of Camelot Illinois. Its drawings are under the supervision of E.C. Ortiz & Co., LLP, an accounting firm. Mayer Hoffman McCann is responsible for auditing the drawings. The drawings are also televised nationwide, making Illinois the only state to do that in the country.
Illinois offers the lotto, but the jackpot is smaller; its drawings are on Saturday, Thursday, and Monday nights. The drawing of the Pick 4 and Pick 3 numbers takes place twice daily. The Internet Pilot Program was approved for the sale of Lotto and Mega Millions games on the internet in line with a 2009 amendment to the Lottery Law by the state legislature.