Illinois Lottery reports $2.67 billion in revenue

SPRINGFIELD) — Illinois Lottery officials say sales for the fiscal year that ended June 30 topped $2.67 billion, a nearly 18 percent increase over the previous year.

Lottery Superintendent Michael Jones says a key to increased sales was the change in the lottery's image. The lottery is managed by a private company called Northstar Lottery Group.

Jones says the lottery placed an emphasis on specialty games such as Veterans' Cash and Ticket for the Cure. That allowed players to risk money for a large prize, with proceeds going to a cause they believe in.

Jones says other marketing highlights include re-launching the Little Lotto as the Lucky Day Lotto.

Lottery officials say out of the $2.67 billion taken in, $708.6 million went to “good causes,” including nearly $640 million to public schools.