Illinois Online Lottery

The Illinois Lottery is one of the most widely accessible forms of gambling in the Prairie State.

Purchasing a ticket for various lotto games is straightforward, thanks to thousands of retailers across the state and the availability of online sales. Anyone within the state boundaries, regardless of whether they are an Illinois resident or not, and at least 18 years old, is allowed to participate.

As of November 2021, certain fast-play games can now be played online. The Illinois Lottery provides a selection of draw-style and instant-win games, as well as tickets for popular multi-state games. This page will guide you through the different types of games available and how to play them.

Furthermore, we’ll emphasize what steps to take if you win, provide guidance on how to seek assistance with gameplay if required, and briefly discuss the history of the lottery in Illinois. Armed with all this information, you’ll be well-prepared to fully enjoy playing the lottery.

Multi-state draws

Draw-style games run by the Multi-State Lottery Association office, offering the biggest jackpots in the country, are among the most popular lottery games to play. These include:

Mega Millions is a game that requires $2 to participate. It holds drawings twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. There are multiple levels of prizes in the game, with a progressive jackpot that has previously soared to amounts in the range of nine to ten figures.
Powerball: This is nearly the same as the previous title, with the only difference being that the draws are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Also, by spending an additional dollar, you can increase the value of your non-jackpot prizes for both these titles.

What are the Powerball winning numbers?

The Monday, Nov. 7 Powerball drawing has a record-breaking potential win of $2 billion. The cash reward for correctly guessing all the numbers is $929 million. The numbers drawn on Monday are:

white balls 10, 33, 41, 47, 56 and red Powerball 10.

The Power Play® multiplier was 2X.

There are a few options to check the drawing results in Illinois:

You can check your physical lottery ticket at any lottery retailer if you’ve purchased one.
All draws’ winning numbers are listed on the Illinois Lottery website.
The Illinois Lottery app features a function that allows you to check results.

What does the multiplier mean?

Both Mega Millions and Powerball offer the option to enhance your ticket with a multiplier for an additional dollar. This feature can increase the value of non-jackpot prizes. The multiplier amount varies with each draw.

For instance, you receive a $10 payout if you match three numbers in Mega Millions without the “MegaPlier”. On the other hand, the potential winnings rise to between $20 and $50 if you match three numbers and have the “MegaPlier”, contingent on the multiple drawn. It’s important to remember that you’re unable to increase your payment for a larger multiplier. Additionally, purchasing the multiplier doesn’t heighten your odds of winning. If you hit the progressive jackpot, the multiplier is not applicable.

Illinois-only lottery draws

Lotto: You can purchase a ticket for $2 and select six numbers from 1-52 or have the computer choose for you. An additional $1 can be spent to include the “Extra Shot”. If you match the “Extra Shot” number, you earn a minimum prize of $5. If you match all six numbers, you win the progressive jackpot. The drawings are held on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 9:22 p.m. CST.
Lucky Day Lotto is the ideal game if you want to increase your odds of winning. It holds two daily draws (at 12:40 p.m. and 9:22 p.m. CST) every day of the week. To participate, you need to choose five numbers from 1 to 45, which costs $1. If you match two out of the five numbers, you’ll recoup your $1. If you match all five numbers, you’ll win the progressive jackpot. For an additional $1, you can opt for the “EZ Match” feature, offering the chance to win up to $5,000.
In Pick 3, as implied by its name, you choose three numbers for a chance to win. You can participate at a cost of either 50 cents or $1. The drawings occur twice a day. Depending on the level at which you play, you can win top prizes of either $250 or $500. Also, the “Fireball” add-on feature can enhance your winning potential, even turning a non-winning ticket into a winning one by multiplying your win.
Select 4: This is an advanced version of Select 3, raising the stakes. You can win up to $2,500 with a 50-cent play or up to $5,000 with a $1 draw. The “Fireball” feature is also available in this option.

Illinois Lotto is $2

As of April 1, 2021, The Illinois Lottery has increased the price of a Lotto game ticket from $1 to $2. This price hike, however, comes with additional drawings and better odds of winning.

If you prefer, you can add the Extra Shot for an additional $1 per line. The game rules remain mostly unchanged; you still need to select six numbers or choose a Quick Pick. The goal is to match as many numbers on your ticket as possible with those drawn.

The probability of winning has slightly increased now. The number range has decreased from 1-52 to 1-50. Consequently, your chances of winning any prize are now 1:6.9 every time you participate in the game.

In addition to the odds upgrade, your ticket also grants you entry into three drawings.

What is Fast Play?

Fast Play, the swiftest method to win a prize in the Illinois lottery, can be accessed both online and at retail outlets. The ticket prices vary from $1 to $10 and can be purchased either online or from any lottery vending machine. The game’s quickness is evident as there’s no need to select numbers, scratch cards, or await a draw to see if you’ve won.

Once your ticket is dispensed from the screen or machine, you can immediately determine if it’s a winner. Prizes vary, with progressive jackpots reaching up to six figures, and the games update every two minutes.

Instant win tickets

If you find pleasure in the excitement of revealing a prize by scratching off a ticket, the Illinois lottery provides numerous options for you. The tickets cost anywhere between $1 and $30, with the prizes increasing correspondingly. These tickets are available at any lottery retailer or vending machine.

Some games offered by the lottery are only available seasonally. Furthermore, certain games contribute their profits to specific charitable initiatives. An example of this is the Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure game, which allocates its proceeds towards programs related to breast cancer.

Illinois Lottery app

Playing the lottery has never been more convenient with the Illinois Lottery app on your mobile device. This app, compatible with Android and Apple devices, allows you to play draw-style games, and:

Check drawing results
Inspect physical tickets to determine if they’re winning ones.
Receive updates on increases in progressive jackpot rolls.
Claim winnings of $600 or less instantly.

Although the app doesn’t allow you to play instant win games, you can use it to verify if your tickets have won. Also, the app doesn’t support Fast Play.

How to claim lottery winnings

The method of your ticket purchase is significant when claiming a lottery win. The amount of your winnings also heavily influences the procedure you need to take. Detailed descriptions of each process are provided here. However, to summarize, keep in mind the following:

Should your lottery winnings be $600 or less and you purchased your ticket online, your account will be automatically credited with your prize by the lottery.
You can claim your prize at any lottery retailer if the prize is $600 or less and you bought your ticket in person.

If your winnings are between $601 and $999,999, you can claim your prize either by visiting a claim center or mailing it in. For winnings of $1 million or more, call 217-524-5147 to claim your prize. Regardless of the amount won, you will need to provide the lottery with a valid government-issued photo ID, proof of your entire Social Security number, the original signed ticket, and a completed claim packet.

Illinois Lottery e-claims portal

From May 21, 2021, you’re able to redeem your lottery tickets online through a dedicated portal. Simply head over to the Illinois Lottery’s website and select the “When You Win” tab. You’re required to fill out and submit a claim form, accompanied by a scanned image or photograph of both sides of your winning ticket. Your prize money will be mailed to the address you provide in the form of a check, typically within a period of three to four weeks.

Illinois lottery claim center locations:

Prize Center of Chicago: Suite LL06, 69 W. Washington, Chicago, IL 60601
Lottery Claim Center, Des Plaines: 9511 Harrison St., Des Plaines, IL 60016
Lottery Claim Center, Fairview Heights: 15 Executive Drive, Fairview Heights, IL 62208
George W. Dunne Cook County Office Building (New): 69 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602
The headquarters for the Lottery is located in the Willard Ice Building, which is a part of the Department of Revenue. The address is 101 West Jefferson Street, Springfield, IL 62702.
Claim Center for Rockford Lottery: 200 S. Wyman St., Rockford, IL 61101

Illinois lottery pool 101

Winning the lottery is purely a game of chance. The only way to enhance your chances of securing a prize is to buy more tickets, which can be costly. A better alternative to boost your odds without exceeding your budget is to collaborate with others and pool your resources. Even though you’ll need to divide any winnings, getting a portion of a prize is superior to winning nothing at all.

Being a member of such a group requires you to assign someone to oversee your pool. This includes responsibilities such as gathering funds and purchasing tickets. In case of a win, the process is much akin to winning a prize individually.

A group manager is essential for one of the reasons being that prizes of $600 or less can only be claimed by an individual. However, for winnings ranging from $601 to $999,999, a group can claim it by completing a Form 5754 and a winner questionnaire.

Should your prize amount to $1 million or beyond, it is relevant to get in touch with the lottery. It is also vital to engage the services of an accountant, lawyer, and financial advisor. This ensures transparency and fairness for everyone involved.

What about Claude the hamster?

In 2020, the Illinois Lottery employed a hamster named Claude as a kind of “mascot”. The promotional campaign featured a live feed of Claude, allowing viewers to watch him engage with various objects. The lottery even offered visitors the opportunity to win complimentary scratch-off tickets. Claude’s YouTube channel remains accessible.

Customer support

Should you face any problems while playing the lottery, multiple avenues are available for help. You can email [email protected] or dial the lottery player hotline at 800-252-1775.

How to recognize lottery fraud/scams

The Illinois Lottery provides numerous useful guidelines to help you avoid any lottery scams. Bear in mind that lottery games are purely luck-based. There’s nothing you can do to enhance your winning chances. If someone is offering a “shortcut”, they’re likely attempting to defraud you. Be vigilant for other indications of fraud such as:

Requests for personal information that are not solicited.
A requirement for an initial payment to process a prize claim.
Offering early access to winning numbers.

History of the Illinois lottery

The lottery in the Prairie State is nearing its 50th year of operation. Throughout the years, it has undergone numerous expansions and has contributed billions of dollars to various state programs. A brief timeline is outlined below:

First tickets went on sale on July 30, 1974.
The first scratch-off tickets were sold on October 21, 1975.
On June 30, 1985, the lottery announced that its annual sales exceeded $1 billion for the first time.
On July 18, 1994, the first vending machines were introduced and became operational within retail locations.
On May 1, 2000, the lottery surpassed $1 billion in transfers to the Common School Fund.
On May 15, 2002, the first tickets for a multi-state lottery corporation were sold in Illinois.
On June 30, 2007, for the first time, sales surpassed $2 billion in a fiscal year.

FAQ

Is the Illinois Lottery safe?

Indeed, the Illinois Department of Revenue, under the auspices of the state, supervises the lottery. As long as you are buying a ticket directly from the lottery or from an authorized retailer, you can be assured of its authenticity. Even though winning any prizes isn’t a guarantee, you can be certain that the advertised odds are accurate.

What are my chances of winning the lottery?

Your game choice and desired prize determine your chances. Generally, the higher your play cost, the better your odds. However, larger prizes usually mean longer odds.

What happens to unclaimed prize money?

Every year, the money is added to the distribution of the Common School Fund. All games of the Illinois Lottery have a set period during which prizes can be claimed. Therefore, it’s crucial to check your plays immediately. If the expiry date goes by, you will not be able to receive any winnings.

How do I find a lottery retailer near me?

The Illinois lottery app can assist in locating a retailer in your vicinity for purchasing tickets. Alternatively, you can choose to buy draw-style tickets online. A variety of businesses are authorized to sell lottery tickets within the state, such as convenience stores, grocery shops, liquor stores, and truck stops.

Should I sign my winning lotto ticket?

To put it briefly, yes, eventually you will need to sign a lottery ticket to claim a prize, but it may not be wise to do so immediately. If your winnings are substantial, for example in the six figures or more, it might be beneficial to seek legal advice first. This could allow you to leverage certain legal rights to maintain some degree of anonymity when collecting your prize. Signing your name immediately removes this opportunity.