Public Accountability Report
Department of Lottery
(Appropriated Spending in Thousands)
| FY |
FY |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reporting Programs | Expenditures | Headcount | Expenditures | Headcount |
| Lottery | $ 696,394.7 | 163.0 | $ 471,101.4 | 147.0 |
| Totals | $ 696,394.7 | 163.0 | $ 471,101.4 | 147.0 |
Totals may not add due to rounding.
Explanatory Notes
Sales slowed significantly the first six weeks of the stay-at-home order in fiscal year 2020, but quickly rebounded for the remaining months of the fiscal year and throughout fiscal year 2021. This so-called "COVID effect" was due to several factors. The restriction of many social activities and outlets, the elimination of other gaming options (casinos, video gaming terminals, etc.), and the change in work habits and personal behavior, when viewed holistically, are a few variables that may have aided the lottery sales surge. This surge was seen throughout the lottery industry. As a result, we were able to pivot our marketing and digital strategies to adequately position the lottery in society’s new normal, promoting safe play in retail and via our iLottery channel. During this time, the Department continued to operate with appropriate adjustments impacting operations and related costs.
Agency Narrative
The Illinois Lottery was established in 1974 to promote and sell lottery tickets to benefit public schools throughout the state as well as various good causes. The Department is organized to provide for administering and overseeing the operations of the Illinois Lottery with the assistance of a private manager under a management agreement operating in accordance with the Illinois Lottery Law (20 ILCS 1605). The Department’s mission is to maximize revenue to the state to benefit schools, capital projects, and specialty causes in an ethical and responsible manner while ensuring all Lottery operations adhere to the highest standards of security and public accountability. The Department and manager collaborate to develop, market, and conduct Lottery games in a socially responsible manner that grows by expanding the player base and focuses attention on the various good causes the Lottery supports. Currently, the Department raises funds and awareness to benefit nine specialty causes by selling instant tickets in which the net proceeds are transferred to the specified fund within the Lottery Law for the given purpose. All remaining Department proceeds after deducting costs for prize payments and retailer bonuses and costs related to administering the Lottery, including all amounts due to the private manager, are then transferred to the Common School Fund. If the amount transferred equals the proceeds transferred in 2009, adjusted for inflation, any amount remaining is then transferred to the Capital Projects Fund.
