The Illinois Lottery has announced its results for the first six months of Fiscal Year 2026, reporting nearly $1.9 billion in revenue and generating an estimated $430 million in returns to the State of Illinois during the period, which is a new first half-year sales record for the Illinois Lottery.

“The Illinois Lottery continues to deliver strong results for the Common School Fund while providing Illinois residents with fun, entertainment and a chance to win,” said Illinois Lottery Director Harold Mays. “Our consistent performance reflects our commitment to responsible growth and innovation that benefits K-12 education across the state.”

The Lottery has contributed more than $26 billion in revenue to educational funding in Illinois since 1985.

In addition to supporting education, the Lottery’s specialty scratch ticket program generates much needed revenue for causes such as homelessness, Alzheimer’s, breast cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, police memorials, Special Olympics in Illinois, Illinois veterans, the United Negro College Fund, and the DREAM Fund. More than $5.4 million of lottery returns from the first half of FY26 will go towards supporting these good causes.

During the reporting period, lottery players across the country closely followed two historic Powerball^® jackpot runs, which became the second and third-largest jackpots in the game’s history. A $1.787 billion prize was won on September 6, 2025, by two ticket holders from Missouri and Texas; while the other jackpot climbed to $1.816 billion before being won on Christmas Eve by a player in Arkansas. These landmark jackpots fueled excitement and traffic for Illinois retailers and players, generating nearly $180 million in sales and awarding $38.6 million in total prizes. Together, the two jackpot runs contributed almost $72 million to the Illinois Common School Fund.

Retailers also benefit from every Powerball ticket sold, earning commission on sales and a 1% selling bonus on any winning tickets.