Powerball, Mega Millions to drop Illinois due to budget crisis
The Multi-State Lottery Association, or MUSL, which runs the Powerball and Mega-Millions lottery games, intends to drop Illinois from its games due to concerns over the state’s fiscal crisis, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. At the end of June, Illinois will no longer participate in these lotteries if the state remains without a budget. As Illinois approaches its third fiscal year without a budget, MUSL’s looming departure illustrates the wide-ranging effects of Illinois’ fiscal irresponsibility.
Concerns about the Illinois Lottery began in August 2015, when the state had gone without a budget for nearly two months, and the comptroller’s office announced it would not be able to make payments on winnings over $25,000. A month later, the Illinois Lottery announced it would not pay lottery winners until the state government passed a budget. As payout became unlikely, Illinois Lottery ticket sales...