The Illinois Lottery, launched on July 1, 1974, and currently operated by Allwyn Illinois, offers major games like Mega Millions, Powerball, and Lotto, with drawings historically broadcast nationwide via WGN-TV. In 2012, it became the first U.S. jurisdiction to sell lottery tickets online—a move validated by a 2011 Justice Department ruling—and this platform paid out a $552 million Mega Millions jackpot in June 2024. In 2015, the lottery switched from televised ball-drawing machines to an electronic random number generator, ending its long-running live broadcasts. A 2016 Chicago Tribune investigation revealed the lottery frequently suspended its most expensive games before awarding top prizes, such as the $30 "The Good Life" game with $46 million prizes. In January 2018, the UK-based Camelot Group (owned by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan) took over as the new operator, marking a significant shift in the lottery's management.