The Illinois Lottery offers a variety of fast play games that provide players with quick gameplay and instant results. Fast play games differ from traditional scratch-off tickets and online games in that they have pre-determined outcomes that are printed on the tickets. When a player purchases a fast play ticket, they immediately know if they have won a prize. Fast play games appeal to players who want instant gratification without having to wait for a drawing. The Illinois Lottery first introduced fast play games in 2012 and they have grown in popularity due to their convenience and excitement. This article will provide an overview of how Illinois Lottery fast play games work and the different types of games available.
How Do Fast Play Games Work?
Fast play games use a predetermined outcome system. When the Illinois Lottery prints a batch of fast play tickets, each ticket’s potential prize is already established. The outcomes are distributed randomly throughout the batch. This ensures that the overall payout percentage stays consistent throughout the game. When a player purchases a fast play ticket, the cashier instantly prints the outcome. Fast play games do not require drawings or waiting periods to reveal results. Players can immediately redeem winning tickets for prizes. The predetermined outcomes ensure that the Lottery can control the payouts and players will win at the expected published rates. Fast play games provide convenience for players who want to quickly purchase tickets and find out if they won a prize. The outcomes are random, but instantly available.
Types of Fast Play Games in Illinois
The Illinois Lottery offers a wide selection of fast play games to choose from. The games range in price point from $1 up to $30, with a variety of top prizes available. Here are some of the different types of fast play games available in Illinois:
$1 Fast Play Games
– 777 Fast Cash: Match three identical symbols to win up to $7,777. Overall odds are 1 in 4.97.
– Big Money: Match three like prize amounts to win that prize. Overall odds are 1 in 4.98.
– Cash Dash: Reveal two matching symbols to win prize shown. Overall odds are 1 in 4.98.
– Loose Change: Add up your quarters, nickels, dimes, and pennies to win prize shown. Overall odds are 1 in 4.96.
$2 Fast Play Games
– $200,000 Jackpot: Match any of your numbers to the winning number to win prize shown. Jackpot starts at $40,000. Overall odds are 1 in 3.94.
– 10X: Reveal a “10X” symbol to multiply prize shown by 10X. Overall odds are 1 in 3.90.
– 20X The Money: Reveal a “20X” symbol to multiply prize shown by 20X. Overall odds are 1 in 4.22.
– Compulsive Cash: Match three like prize amounts to win that amount. Reveal a “Compulsive” symbol to win all 15 prizes. Overall odds are 1 in 4.77.
$3 Fast Play Games
– $300,000 Jackpot: Match any of your numbers to the winning number to win prize shown. Jackpot starts at $60,000. Overall odds are 1 in 3.05.
– $50,000 Bonus Cash: Match any of your numbers to either winning number to win prize shown. Overall odds are 1 in 3.96.
– Triple Dynamite 7s: Reveal three identical symbols in any row, column or diagonal to win prize shown. Find a “Triple” symbol to triple any prize won. Overall odds are 1 in 3.64.
$5 Fast Play Games
– All or Nothing: Match any of your numbers to either winning number to win $25. Match none or all of your numbers to either winning number to win all 10 prizes. Overall odds are 1 in 3.63.
– $500,000 Spectacular: Match any of your numbers to the winning number to win prize shown. Top prize of $25,000/wk for 20 years. Overall odds are 1 in 2.93.
– Emerald Green 7s: Match three identical symbols in any row, column or diagonal to win prize shown. Find a “7” symbol to win double the prize. Overall odds are 1 in 3.96.
$10 Fast Play Games
– $1,000,000 Jackpot: Match any of your numbers to the winning number to win prize shown. Jackpot starts at $250,000. Overall odds are 1 in 2.39.
– $1,000 Loaded: Match any of your numbers to either winning number to win prize shown. Overall odds are 1 in 3.15.
– Extreme Green: Match any of YOUR NUMBERS to either WINNING NUMBER to win PRIZE shown for that number. Reveal a “5X” symbol to win 5 TIMES the PRIZE shown! Overall odds are 1 in 2.91.
$20 Fast Play Games
– $2,000,000 Jackpot: Match any of your numbers to the winning number to win prize shown. Jackpot starts at $400,000. Overall odds are 1 in 1.75.
– $2Mil Money Bags: Match any of YOUR NUMBERS to either WINNING NUMBER, win PRIZE shown for that number. Reveal a “MONEYBAG” symbol, win 10 TIMES the PRIZE shown. Overall odds are 1 in 2.11.
– Payday: Reveal a “STACK OF COINS” symbol in any GAME, win PRIZE shown for that symbol. Reveal a “PAYDAY” symbol, win all 5 PRIZES shown! Overall odds are 1 in 2.79.
$30 Fast Play Games
– $3,000,000 Jackpot: Match any of your numbers to the winning number to win prize shown. Jackpot starts at $600,000. Overall odds are 1 in 1.33.
– $3Mil Money Maker: Match any of YOUR NUMBERS to either WINNING NUMBER, win PRIZE shown for that number. Reveal a “BIG MONEYBAG” symbol, win 20 TIMES the PRIZE shown! Overall odds are 1 in 1.89.
– $500 Frenzy: Match any of YOUR NUMBERS to either WINNING NUMBER, win PRIZE shown for that number. Reveal a “STACK OF BILLS” symbol, win 10 TIMES the PRIZE shown! Overall odds are 1 in 2.00.
How To Play Fast Play Games
Playing fast play games from the Illinois Lottery is quick and easy. Just follow these steps:
- Choose a fast play game you’d like to play. Tickets are available from $1 up to $30.
- Bring your selected game to the cashier or lottery vending machine and pay for your ticket.
- The ticket with your pre-determined outcome will instantly print.
- Scratch off the play area on your ticket to reveal symbols and prize amounts.
- Check your ticket to see if you won a prize by matching symbols or numbers.
- Instantly claim any prize wins – no waiting for drawings!
It’s that easy to play fast play games for a chance to win cash prizes. Fast play tickets can be purchased daily at over 7,200 retailers in Illinois.
Fast Play Prize Claims
One of the best features of fast play games is the ability to instantly claim your prizes. Here is how you can redeem fast play tickets for cash:
- Prizes up to $600 can be claimed at any Illinois Lottery retail location. Just bring your winning ticket to the retailer to validate and receive your cash.
- Prizes between $601 and $25,000 can be redeemed at participating Lottery customer service centers. Bring a claim form and your ticket.
- Jackpot level prizes over $25,000 must be claimed at the Lottery’s Prize Center in Springfield. You’ll need to complete a claim form and schedule an appointment to redeem your jackpot ticket.
Be sure to sign the back of your winning fast play ticket and keep it safe until claimed. Tickets must be redeemed within one year from the date of the game’s end-sale. Unclaimed prizes are transferred to the Common School Fund per Illinois law.
Fast Play Game Odds and Payouts
Fast play games offer fixed odds of winning and consistent payout rates. The overall odds of winning any prize in a fast play game ranges from 1 in 4 to 1 in 2, depending on the price point. Higher price point games generally have better overall odds. For example, a $30 fast play game will have around 1 in 2 odds of winning a prize, while a $1 game may have around 1 in 5 odds. The specific published odds are printed on the back of each fast play ticket.
The Illinois Lottery allocates a set percentage of each fast play game’s sales to its prize fund. For a $30 game, around 65% may go towards prizes. Lower priced games payout around 50-60% in prizes. The published payout represents the long-term expected payout rate over the life of a fast play game. Like scratch-offs, actual prizes may vary from ticket to ticket. However, the predetermined outcomes ensure the overall payouts align with published rates.
Advantages of Fast Play Games
There are many advantages that fast play games have over traditional lottery drawings and scratch-offs:
- Instant results – No waiting for numbers to be drawn, win instantly.
- Convenience – Tickets can be purchased daily at thousands of retailers.
- Instant prize claims – Redeem tickets right away if you win.
- Variety of games – New games introduced regularly.
- Lower prices – Games start at just $1.
- Set odds – Published odds don’t vary.
- Controlled payouts – Prizes pay out at expected percentages.
The instant gratification and convenience are key selling points of fast play games. The Illinois Lottery will likely continue expanding its fast play portfolio with new games over time to give players more varied options.
Where to Play Fast Play Games in Illinois
Fast play tickets are easy to find at Lottery retailers throughout Illinois, including:
- Convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Circle K, and Speedway.
- Grocery stores such as Jewel-Osco, Kroger, and Meijer.
- Gas stations like BP, Marathon, and Phillips 66.
- Liquor stores.
- Tobacco outlets.
You can locate fast play retailers in your area using the Illinois Lottery website’s retailer locator. There are over 7,200 retailers across the state, so fast play games are readily accessible. The Illinois Lottery also offers vending machines with fast play ticket dispensers at hundreds of retail locations. These self-serve kiosks make purchasing fast play games even more convenient.
Tips for Playing Fast Play Games
To increase your chances of winning on fast play tickets, keep these tips in mind:
- Play games with better overall odds. $30 games have the best odds.
- Buy tickets from different retail locations to increase the variety of outcomes.
- Claim prizes promptly so tickets don’t get lost.
- Join the free Illinois Lottery VIP Club to earn points and rewards on fast play purchases.
- Never chase losses by spending more than intended.
- Set a budget and stick to it.
- Have fun and view fast play as entertainment.
The outcomes on fast play tickets are predetermined, so there’s no strategy involved. But choosing games wisely and playing responsibly can lead to a more enjoyable experience.
New Fast Play Games
The Illinois Lottery regularly debuts new fast play games offering different themes, price points, and prize structures. Here are some of the newest fast play games that launched in 2022:
- Big $50s – Match symbols to win up to $50,000. $5 game.
- Candy Crush – Match candy icons to win prizes up to $30,000. $2 game.
- Golden 777 – Reveal three “7” symbols to win jackpot starting at $77,777. $10 game.
- Pot O’ Gold – Find a rainbow symbol to win prize shown. Win up to $3,000. $3 game.
- The Price is Right – Play iconic pricing games from the gameshow. $5 game.
The Lottery aims to debut new fast play games around once per month. Make sure to check for the latest games whenever you purchase fast play tickets. New games provide more variety and keep the experience exciting.
History of Illinois Fast Play Games
Fast play games first launched in Illinois in October 2012 with six initial $2 games. The concept quickly proved popular with players thanks to the convenience and instant gratification fast play tickets offer.
The Illinois Lottery saw fast play sales rapidly increase from $54 million in FY 2013 up to $339 million by FY 2018. The availability of $30 fast play games with enhanced prize structures helped drive much of this growth.
By 2022, the Illinois Lottery offers around 50-60 different fast play games at any given time. Price points range from $1 games to $30 games with starting jackpots up to $3 million.
Since their 2012 introduction, fast play games have generated over $2.5 billion in sales in Illinois and awarded more than $1.6 billion in prizes. Fast play sales now make up around 10% of overall Illinois Lottery revenue. The sustained success demonstrates player enthusiasm for the instant win-style format fast play provides.
Conclusion
Fast play games have become a staple offering of the Illinois Lottery thanks to their convenience and ability to provide players with instant results. Their predetermined outcomes allow for quick ticket printing and immediate prize claims. Fast play games come in a variety of themes and price points to suit all types of players. Their advantages over traditional lottery games include better odds, lower price tickets, instant wins, and consistent payout rates. Fast play tickets can be purchased daily throughout Illinois at over 7,200 retailers. The Illinois Lottery frequently debuts new fast play games to keep the portfolio fresh. With excellent accessibility and ease of play, fast play games appeal to lottery players seeking instant gratification. They provide a modern lottery experience that aligns with player expectations in today’s fast-paced world. Fast play games are sure to maintain their popularity among Illinois Lottery players for years to come.
