By IL Public Radio
Springfield, IL – Top Illinois lawmakers say the state should hand over marketing of the Illinois lottery to a private firm and begin selling tickets to certain games online.
A senate committee has approved a measure to sell tickets to the Lotto and Mega Millions games over the Internet. The Senate president, who introduced the plan, said online sales could double Lottery revenue.
The measure would also allow for a private firm to take over operations, including marketing. Oak Park Democrat Don Harmon, the chief senate sponsor, says the firm should target middle- and upper-income people who now play only when there are big jackpots. "We can't continue to try to market Lottery tickets to poor folks and expect it to generate more money. That's not a good business model, nor something the state should engage in."
Critics have questioned whether selling tickets online would make a difference in revenue. They also say online sales might be illegal. Harmon says supporters are seeking an opinion from the federal government.
