Illinois Lottery Projects Sales Increase

CHICAGO (AP) - A contract obtained by The Associated Press shows the new company hired to run the Illinois Lottery projects it will increase annual sales to $4 billion, generating more than $1 billion per year for schools and other projects by the end of the 10-year deal.

Lottery officials and Camelot Illinois announced the contract Friday, more than three years after Illinois first tried to fire its current private manager for falling short of sales goals. Northstar Lottery Group will remain on the job until Camelot takes over on Jan 2.

Lottery proceeds help fund education and construction projects. Sales for the most recent fiscal year were $2.85 billion.

Camelot Illinois is subsidiary of Camelot Group, which runs the lottery in Great Britain.