Illinois Lottery posts record $3.87 billion in sales; nearly 80% of proceeds go to public education
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois — The Illinois Lottery announced on Oct. 26 that total sales for fiscal 2026 reached $3.87 billion, a new record and the fourth record year in the past five. Lottery Director Harold Mays said the result reflects players' trust in the state lottery.
The lottery generated $804 million for the state this fiscal year, its fourth-highest net income year in history. Of that, $792 million went into the Common School Fund to support public K-12 education statewide, and another $12 million went to local public causes. The lottery also announced that its responsible-gaming program has again received the World Lottery Association's highest-level certification.
Illinois Lottery players won more than $2.7 billion in prizes this fiscal year on nearly 107.5 million winning tickets. Among them, 147 players won prizes of $1 million or more, including one online player who won a $536 million Mega Millions jackpot. The lottery said maintaining growth in a competitive gambling market was thanks to players' continued support for public education.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 伊利诺伊州议会大厦，CC BY-SA 4.0，来源 Wikimedia Commons
