CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Lottery officials say players in the state could see the end of Powerball and Mega Millions games by June’s end if Illinois doesn’t end its budget impasse.
Acting Director Greg Smith said Thursday the lack of a budget will result in players being “denied the opportunity” to participate. The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the news.
The stalemate could enter a third year if there’s no agreement by July 1.
The Sun-Times says Illinois reported $99 million in Mega Millions sales and $208 million in Powerball sales in 2016. About 40 percent of each comes back Illinois in revenue.
The Multi-State Lottery Association runs Powerball and says it’s working closely with Illinois. Mega Millions is run by a consortium of lotteries and defers questions to state officials.
Dozens of states offer the games.
