The management of Illinois’ lottery is under legal review. Illinois’ lottery is run by a private company named Northstar. And Northstar is part of a partnership made up of two large gambling companies that run lottos around the world.
Northstar is only partially through its 10-year contract with the state, but former Governor Pat Quinn’s administration had said the company wasn’t performing up to standards. And Quinn wanted to end the contract before his term ended earlier this month.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office claims canceling the contract now will cost the state more money than it’s paid out in previous years. She’s asking a judge to stop Northstar and the state from terminating the contract.
In a statement, Illinois’ new Governor Bruce Rauner agrees with Madigan, and says the contract termination effort is not in the taxpayers’ best interest. A spokesperson with Northstar did not immediately return calls for comment.