Illinois became the first state to sell Fast Play draw games online when the Illinois Lottery launched its Fast Play games online on November 15. Fast Play games were introduced in retail outlets more than one year ago. Illinois Lottery Acting Director Harold Mays said, “We’re excited to offer our players the ability to play Fast Play whenever and wherever they want.”
In a statement, Lottery officials said, “In just 14 months on the market, players have purchased over 11.7 million Fast Play tickets in retail, generating nearly $48.3 million in sales revenue for the Illinois Lottery.” Some traditional draw games feature only fixed payouts and some offer a progressive jackpot as the top prize.
Fast Play online tickets cost $1 to $10. Players can play them instantly through their computer or other device. Twenty tickets may be purchased at one time and there are limits on how many tickets can be purchased in a 24-hour period.
Anita Bedell, spokesperson for Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems, stated, “I don’t know how they can do this without the legislation for it.” But Mays said state law allows draw games to be sold online, noting Fast Play tickets are not instant tickets. The law reads, “The Department may offer Lotto, Lucky Day Lotto, Mega Millions, Powerball, Pick 3, Pick 4 and other draw games that are offered at retail locations through the internet program.”
But Bedell said online lottery games are another step toward full-blown online casinos. She said, “I think this could lead to a lot of problems and people are going to lose more money than they plan, so I think it’s a terrible idea. Making it more accessible on a cellphone or a computer or a tablet at home is just going to increase problems. On the internet gambling, there’s just not enough controls and not enough help to keep people from losing everything.” Bedell also said she’s concerned with the lack of oversight and easy access for minors to gamble online without parental oversight.
Illinois legislators this year tried to expand online gambling to include casino and poker but even the bill’s sponsors said it probably won’t pass in 2022.
