Illinois Lottery introduces new games and promotions for holiday season

Ahead of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season, the Illinois Lottery has introduced festive instant ticket offerings and promotions for residents, including Holly Jolly Second Chance and Get in the Spirit Sweepstakes.

"Gifting Holiday Instant Tickets is a tradition for many Illinoisans," Illinois Lottery Director Harold Mays said.

"We are happy to be part of that tradition and excited about this year's line-up."

According to the Illinois Lottery, players won over $273m in prizes from more than 11.2 million winning Instant Tickets from November 1 through December 31, 2024.

Branded instant ticket offerings for Illinois Lottery players include holiday cookie cash, gnome for the holidays, jingle bell blowout, holiday bucks and $1m holiday gold.

Gnome for the holidays and holiday bucks feature potential payouts of $50,000 and $500,000, respectively, while $1m holiday gold offers the chance to win up to $1m on a $20 ticket.

"The new Holiday Instant Tickets are a fun and festive way to share the excitement of the season-whether tucked into a stocking, given as a small gesture of appreciation or shared with friends and family," the Illinois Lottery stated.

"Each ticket delivers the thrill of a potential win while helping to support education in Illinois."

The Lottery will also be providing holiday promotions as late as January 11, 2026, featuring the Holly Jolly Second Chance with a grand prize of $250,000.

Get in the Spirit Sweepstakes is set to run through December 31 and will award one player $2,500, as well as five additional winners $500.

The Illinois Lottery's branded instant tickets and promotions are currently available at over 7,000 retail locations across the state, priced between $1 and $20.

The lottery organization was originally founded in 1974, and has helped contribute over $25bn to the state's Common School Fund which supports K-12 public education.