CHICAGO, Jan. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Illinois Lottery has unveiled a mobile app where consumers can play Mega Millions, Powerball, and Lotto from their smart phone, check winning numbers and jackpots and, for the first time, even find a nearby retailer. The free app is available for download on iOS and Android devices and is the first of its kind in the United States offering any Illinois adult the chance to purchase lottery tickets via an app.

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The newly-designed app allows those who download it to be updated about the lottery with just one click about winning numbers and jackpot amounts. It also includes the following features:

• Enables adults to easily purchase tickets for: Lotto, Mega Millions, and Powerball.
• Winning Numbers History: Users can view winning numbers for all Illinois Lottery draw games.
• Retailer Locator: Users can find the closest lottery retailer wherever they are by using their phone's geo locator.
• Responsible Gaming: Tap the app and you can view messages about playing the lottery responsibly and information on counseling and the self-exclusion hotline. They can also manage their online and app spending limit.

In March 2012, the Illinois Lottery was the first U.S. based lottery that allowed players to purchase lottery tickets online. Any adult resident, 18+, can play Mega Millions, Lotto and Powerball via the Lottery's online sales channel and through the new app. Minimum purchase is $5. During December, a period when the lottery's Mega Millions prize was $646 million, mobile users represented 44.4 percent of all Illinois Lottery web site visits, totaling more than 2.4 million mobile views.

Please visit www.illinoislottery.com to download the Illinois Lottery mobile app.

About Illinois LotteryFounded in 1974, the Illinois Lottery has contributed over $18 billion to the state's Common School Fund to assist K-12 public schools, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars to the Capital Projects Fund and to special causes like Illinois Veterans, the fight against breast cancer, MS research, and assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS. In addition to playing in-store, the Illinois Lottery offers online and mobile play for Mega Millions, Powerball and Lotto at illinoislottery.com. Players must be at least 18 years old.

Contact: Chanele Newton 312-368-5814

SOURCE Illinois Lottery

RELATED LINKShttp://www.illinoislottery.com