Illinois Lottery Official App Reviews

by Bummer App Dude

Approximately a month or two ago IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp was “upgraded” and it went from a really great, super well functioning, user friendly app and became the worst app that I’ve had the displeasure of dealing with. Once the “upgrade” was installed I couldn’t log in at all and had to change my password because I couldn’t remember the old one and the thump print access was no longer letting me in. So I changed my password and since then I definitely don’t have the ease of use of my thump print access anymore and I can’t seem to find anyway to reestablish it. The other major flaw since the “upgrade” I have to actually reboot my phone at least once or twice a week to be able to successfully log in, the screen either goes to full white or it says “oops, it’s a 500” whatever that means? I have no idea other than it means to me that I have to reboot the phone again in order to do the simple task of logging in. I’m a daily player and this is beyond frustrating! I use many apps on my phone on a daily basis, this is the only one that is causing these sorts of problems.

by BillC3308

IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp is awful. First of all, what’s the deal with requiring money to be deposited before I select numbers? No one goes into a store and gives the cashier a bunch of money and then selects items off the shelves. But ok fine! I deposit the money and then I go back to powerball and find that all of the numbers I picked are all gone. I have to start over.

I go back, once again, pick sets of numbers. Ready to go with my money that’s already been paid for something I haven’t purchased yet. I try to finalize and I’m told that I can’t purchase because I’m not in the state of Illinois. I’m in Bloomington in the heart of Illinois! And yes, before you ask, I allowed IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp to detect my location and all other apps and devices show me living in Bloomington.

And one more thing, why did IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp wait until after it took my money before it decided to determine that I’m in another state?

After I wrote up this review (and before I hit submit) I tried to buy again and it apparently got my state right and it worked. But still not very customer friendly. But it’s state government, so why should that be a surprise?

by Mickeydid

IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp couldn’t be worse. There was NOTHING wrong with the old app, but they hyped the “new, improved app” for more than 6 months. And it is a flat-out failure. It is built upside down.

Upon opening, all you really can do is choose numbers or make quick picks. You’re not signed-in yet, that option is not available. The next step is to pay. But you aren’t signed-in. So you sign-in, and your chosen numbers are lost. You must choose again. Now you need to pay. But it won’t just accept a payment, you have to put funds on deposit, a wasted step. But you go ahead and add funds to your account. Of course, your chosen numbers are lost again. So you choose your numbers for a third time, and you’re done. But wait. You wanted to play two different games. You just bought your Mega Millions ticket. To get a Powerball ticket, you have to start over. First-off, whoever approved going live with this new app should not only be fired, but should be sued. This couldn’t be any worse than it is. A disaster.

by IL Lottery Victim

I added funds to my account to play the mid-day “pick 4” daily draw at 11:26AM before the drawing. IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp withdrew from my account at 11:30AM but it was only for the evening drawing and not for the mid-day drawing, even though the mid-drawing is at 12:40PM. I had the winning numbers in the exact order but since IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp only withdrew from my account for the evening drawing, I did not get to win. I intentionally made a deposit over an hour before the mid-day drawing so I could play it. Don’t make the same mistake I did and buy your tickets in store if you want to make sure you’re in the game you’re paying for. I called the support center and they basically told me I’m SOL and should’ve bought a ticket in store instead. Using IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp costed me $5,000. They also don’t state any rules regarding the use of apps on the Illinois Lottery website meaning they can screw you over whenever and however they choose. Useless app.

by Panzerman3

It pains me to say this, but the old app was better. It was easier to get funds in and out, I could purchase multiple drawings of different games (I.e. buy one mega millions, one power ball and one lottery ticket at the same time in a single checkout). Now I have to buy each ticket individually and so far I’ve only been able to purchase one mega millions ticket. Every time I try to buy a powerball ticket it just says “something went wrong”.

I’ve had IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp for 30 minutes now and I’m already so frustrated it makes me wonder if this was even properly beta tested before it was rolled out. There was an easy selection process that was user friendly in the old version with a “check out” feature. That isn’t on this version, or if it is, it’s certainly not easily accessible.

All in all, I had higher hopes for this new version but alas it is a big disappointment.

by Musz

So far I am hating the new app release. Sorry team, I’m sure you all worked hard to release this upgrade. The UX/UI is terrible. Some functionality is lost also. There is no cart? So I can’t save my selected numbers, go to another part of site and still have my selection saved. I have to buy each lottery type and check out separately, then go back and play the next one? I liked being able to place Powerball, mega, and lotto in my cart and THEN check out. Seems like a lot more work now. When playing powerball, the first numbers all show, but to see the actual power ball selection I have to scroll down. Unnecessary step in my opinion. It’s only the first day but I’m disappointed. I was looking forward to a big improvement in this release.

by Madasheck6547

Illinois recently switched to Camelot to handle these services. If you need to change your address or update your card info, you have to wait SEVERAL months for this to take effect. Another way MONEY HUNGRY Illinois doesnt want to pay up and cut corners by hiring this lame company Camelot. The phone number to call is useless because repa say its up to Camelot. Its nothing we can do. However, the same error messages are shown when you attempt to change online. The ap has NOTHING to do with online access. Illinois blames it on Camelot when they control their website itself. So which is lying? Typical of Illinois and their poor choices managing money once again! If this is not fixed soon, I will take it to a news anchor! They will be glad to BLAST the story on an already strained Illinois! Shame on you Illinois!

by Black_and_gray

The new version of IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp is absolutely terrible; a perfect example of form over function. First, for months IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp has not worked for purchasing unless logged into WiFi and it STILL DOESN’T WORK in the new version. You can no longer purchase tickets directly from your bank account, now you first have to put money into the lottery app before being able to make a purchase, which is a huge PITA. After buying tickets you now have to back out through multiple steps to get back to main page to buy tickets for a different game. The prior app was far more efficient and user friendly. I could put tickets for three different games into the cart and check out all at once, which took 30-45 seconds. Now you have to complete purchases for each game before paying back to buy for a different game. It would be faster to go to a physical location and buy the tickets than to use this worthless app. which can’t EVER verify your physical location. Instructions? Nope. Someone somewhere decided pretty pictographs and icons would be better than actually having an app that was functional and user-friendly.

IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp is a complete fail with no redeeming qualities.

by Chadwic7795

Wow! So super helpful for that lady to make a big deal about changing your stupid location settings!!! Guess when you can't change those stupid privacy location settings? When your FFFing account is locked. I have been screwing around with this for and hour and a half! Now I am locked out of my Apple account and locked out of the Illinois lotto app & online. I keep trying to change the settings but I am locked out and Powerball is 500 million but good luck because I can't buy any ffffing online or through IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp and it's like 9° outside so I really want to go outside and run to the store to buy the tickets that's why I'm trying to do that online or through IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp thank you so much Illinois for such a smooth running lotto app🙄🙄🙄🤬🤬🤬. It’s about as “Smooth” as all these crumbling roads🤬

by VesperTru

The new app is extremely frustrating. The old app was much more user and time friendly. I dislike how complicated purchasing tickets is now. The hassle of having to first deposit funds is frustrating, because it takes additional time to add funds then go back and purchase tickets. Also I do not like that the minimum deposit is set at $10. I don’t always want to deposit $10 in the account, some days I only want to buy $2 or $4 worth of tickets and not commit to a $10 deposit. The new app has caused me to purchase less lotto tickets and has annoyed me to the point that I don’t find playing the lottery games fun or enjoyable anymore, and now just choose not to play. Whoever approved the new app features, please rethink how functional and customer friendly the old app was. This is a disappointment.

by PShea1

The old app was outdated, but at least it was an app that worked. This is a web page so IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp is just a glorified browser (it’s only a 10MB app)... there is almost no difference between IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp UI and mobile browsing UI so even if it is the right resolution it still feels more dated when I have a loading bar going across the top to change content. It is slower, and less intuitive than the last one. Super annoying how it takes about 5x as long to quick pick multiple lines for a purchase. It’s a major step backwards. Doesn’t even seem to support Face ID. Not sure what the huge update was really about but it’s way worse. You have to load money into a wallet like your iPass or CTA card with deposits instead of making actual ticket purchases. Hopefully the desktop version works better.

by Julie25or624

The new app is not yet 100% functional. You need take an extra step and deposit funds into your “app account.” Although it was funded immediately, it’s still an extra step I have to take and is therefore another time killer. Apps are supposed to be convenient, not a burden on the user.
I’ve never had issues with location services (like some people mention) on the last app version, but am experiencing location service problems with the new version. Consider deleting IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp and reinstalling before going through the purchase process only to be denied and leaving you frustrated. All functions are still a crapshoot. Adding an Extra Shot may cause IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp to freeze crash. Then you have to start over. Rinse>repeat.
After four failed attempts to use IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp , I finally just logged in from Chrome and used the desktop page.

by JG40061

When the Illinois Lottery changed its Contractor in 2019 that operates IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp you could tell that they lacked experience in running a lottery system. Prior to the takeover, players could follow on IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp where winning tickets were purchased within minutes. It took the new contractor months to figure it out but only for certain games. Here we are a year and a half with a new contractor and players have no idea where winning tickets for the Mega Game or the PowerBall Game winning tickets are sold on IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp . You have to search the Media Sites the following day to find where winning Jackpots are Sold.

by Dreaming Of Your Next Hook Set

Great app never any problems with it the login is really fast and let you use all the standard security features like pin fingerprint when you’re in a hurry it gives you that last couple minutes to get your numbers and we’ve all been there before You get to the line to many people and you have like three minutes to get the numbers in before the machine shuts off ,with IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp you don’t have that problem just put your numbers in and you’re good to go quick and effortless Plus it gives you the option of re-playing numbers that you’ve played before so if you played them on Monday and it’s Tuesday and you want to play if you’re playing the same numbers you can just choose replay and it will put all of them back in there for you awesome great great app I love it

by Brown Suga82

I love the convenience of being able to check tickets and scratchers on IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp . Also the convenience of being able to play from IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp . *******maybe in the near future there will be an option, when you scan and have won, to add funds from winner to your app account to be able to play again from your phone. **** also, maybe an option to scan play slip to easily play on IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp . Instead of putting in numbers one by one. ****

by Tgjazz

Generally, IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp works fine.
To deposit money, IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp offers apple pay. Unfortunately it never works. It returns an error telling the user to contact their bank. Strangely enough, when making the deposit with a credit card of the same bank apple pay is linked to, it works. This is the only app I ever had a problem using Apple Pay with on my iOS devices. Thus it must clearly be a problem with IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp .

by DownSyndromeMcGee

Since the pandemic some lottery places has either stop selling lottery or some just pay out when you win. IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp allows you to play as much as you like & when you win they put the money right in your account in about 48hrs. So, that mean very little contact with the public & you have to wonder if they are gonna pay you if you win. I’ll probably never play in-person unless it’s a scratch ticket. I absolutely love IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp. I wish I would’ve started earlier...

by Lmastro1

I love IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp. It’s great to buy my lotto tickets if I forget to get them at the store and I also love to be able to scan my tickets and see if I won. But for the past week or so IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp has not been working I don’t know if there’s some sort of issue or if you guys aren’t even aware of it but it be great if IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp would work. I tried deleting it and re-adding it and that does not work either. Once you get this fixed I’ll go back up to five stars!!
I’m changing my review to five stars I did try again to uninstall and reinstall it and now it is working!

by Dee-Dee 0522

I’ve been using IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp for years and didn’t really care for it because there was a dollar limit. Since the updates I actually love it and prefer it over going to the store. My mom plays the lottery everyday fatefully, she doesn’t have IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp but last week she didn’t have time to play before the drawing and called to see if I was close to a store to play for her and I wasn’t but I played in IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp for her. IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp is really convenient and it saves you from having to rush to the store and hope the person in front of you doesn’t have a page full of numbers and you miss your chance to play!!!

by Mystic915

Love IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp I have been using this for a couple of years now and absolutely love it. I am able to play my favorite games without leaving the house or making it up the store in time for the draws. The only downfall is waiting a few days to get your money transferred to your bank account for wins under 600 and weeks if you win big if you request a check. If you win over 600 you can call and make a claim and go to the lottery agent to cash in on Normal business days though which is nice.

by The Original Pmac

I cannot believe that you get get so much wrong with an “upgrade”. The old app was a bit dated but I could do everything I wanted with it. Below is just a sample of my complaints:

- You have to make a deposit to you account before you can purchase a ticket instead of just purchasing what you want with the credit card on file.

- A minimum of $10 can be deposited in account. So, if I have some money in the account from winnings but not enough for the next drawing, it doesn’t just charge me the difference like in the old app but instead I have to deposit at least $10 in my account.

- Doesn’t have a shopping cart where you can purchase all of your tickets in 1 transaction.

- Requesting quick picks takes more steps than before.

- I used to get emails with my numbers sent to me immediately. Unless it’s on a 3+ hour delay, it doesn’t appear that emails are sent anymore.

All in all, this is awful app. Bring the old one back!! The only reason I selected 1 star is because it won’t let me select 0.

by @pasq

What a PITA to login every time. (Do they want people to use IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp or not??) They support Touch ID but not Face ID, which is on every new iPhone. Please fix this. The best thing I can say about IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp is that you can use it to scan tickets that you physically purchased in a store.

Update: After using it for a couple weeks I find the “Results” button to be horrible. It feels like IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp is dead, that’s how long it takes for the results to display. You wind up tapping it several times because it does nothing. Why not preload in background so when you press the button it responds instantly? This is not an app, it’s a web browser with a cartoon interface.

by Mjws

What good is a mobile app when all it tells you when you try to purchase tickets is “can not verify that you are in the state boundaries “. Call the number given and they tell you that the cell service doesn’t have strong enough signal to work. At the time of trying to purchase the signal was 3 bars LTE. So while in town I try to purchase tickets. Just to see what it would do and the same screen shows stating can not verify in state boundaries. Really I have 5 bars and LTE service in the middle of Marion, Illinois. Poor mobile app and support is pretty poor too. I have had IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp a while now and it worked great but in the past 3 months it is horrible.

by SpauldingBusey

Since we now are required to deposit funds on on IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp in order to purchase lottery tickets, Illinois is no doubt hoping people will maintain a balance greater than what they need for immediate purchase. This , in effect, provides Illinois with an interest-free loan from the balance of any unused funds. I also wouldn’t put it past them to expire balances that have sat unused too long, thereby forfeiting those funds until you go through some painfully convoluted process to recover those funds. If enough people don’t bother with that process because they would only be sacrificing a few dollars the state stands to profit greatly. So, only deposit what you need for your current purchase.

by Pinkwithsprinkles

IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp is intuitive enough - note to developers: enhancements that would show how many draws are left when I log in in my profile or better yet the last date when my draws run out. I would rather IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp remember how many draws I have then to try to remember myself. I would purchase more just adding this feature. Would also like a push notification to remind me when my draws purchased are running out. Would like to be able to track my purchase purchase history as well and what games and numbers I played. It would also be nice if IllinoisLotteryOfficialApp remembered my picked numbers.