CHICAGO, IL. — As Illinoisans prepare for the holiday season, the Illinois Lottery is reminding players that while lottery tickets can add a fun and festive touch to gift-giving, they should be purchased responsibly and never given to anyone under the age of 18.
“Lottery games are meant to be a form of entertainment for adults,” said Harold Mays, Director of the Illinois Lottery. “During the holidays, it’s easy to slip a scratch-off ticket into a stocking or greeting card, but it’s important to remember that these products are not appropriate gifts for children or teens. We encourage all our players to celebrate the season responsibly and with care.”
The Illinois Lottery is once again partnering with the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling (ICPG) as part of the Gift Responsibly Campaign. Led annually by the National Council on Problem Gambling, this initiative focuses on raising public awareness about the risks associated with underage lottery play and highlighting why lottery products should never be given as gifts to minors. The collaboration reinforces its commitment to protecting youth and promoting responsible gaming practices statewide.
“We appreciate the Illinois Lottery’s continued partnership in sharing this important message,” said Dave Wohl, Executive Director of ICPG. “The holidays are a time of joy, and we want to ensure they remain that way. Even small gifts like lottery tickets can introduce young people to gambling behaviors too early. Together, we can help families make informed, responsible choices.”
The Lottery encourages all players to keep responsible play top of mind throughout the season and year-round. Understanding the odds, setting limits, and treating lottery games solely as entertainment are essential components of healthy play.
Tips for Responsible Lottery Gifting:
- Only adults (18+) should receive lottery tickets.
- Consider whether the recipient enjoys games of chance and will play responsibly.
- If gambling stops being fun, help is available through the Illinois Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER(1-800-426-2537).
The Illinois Lottery joins a network of more than 150 lotteries and community organizations around the world to promote responsible play during the holiday season. For more information on how to play and gift responsibly, please go to the Illinois Lottery website and visit the Responsible Gaming page.
About the Illinois Lottery
The Illinois Lottery, founded in 1974, has contributed over $25 billion to the State’s Common School Fund in support of K-12 public education in Illinois since 1985. The Common School Fund is the Illinois Lottery’s primary beneficiary, receiving nearly 99% of Illinois Lottery proceeds. The Illinois Lottery also supports various specialty causes as described in the Illinois Lottery Law (20 ILCS 1605/21.4). For more information about the Illinois Lottery and the causes we support, please visit IllinoisLottery.com.