Latest News
Illinois Lottery Launches Booming Bucks Instant Ticket to Fund STEAM Programs
The Illinois Lottery is announcing its newest instant ticket, Booming Bucks, which will raise funds for science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) programs in Illinois public schools.
All proceeds from the Booming Bucks instant ticket will support the School STEAM Grant Program, which the Illinois State Board of Education will create and run. This grant program will support STEAM programming for K-12 students in Illinois, specifically in lower income neighborhoods. The grant program will give priority to programs that provide hands-on experience and that focus on encouraging female students to enter STEAM fields.
STEAM programs are designed to build a culture of learning and functional literacy while sharpening students’ individual intellect and critical thinking skills.
“The Illinois Lottery is proud to support the learning and development of K-12 students across the state of Illinois with our new specialty ticket. The STEAM programs funded by Booming Bucks will inspire creativity, collaboration, and innovation to foster a brighter future for our students and our state,” said Illinois Lottery Director Harold Mays.
The Illinois Lottery is the first lottery in the country to have an Instant Ticket that specifically supports STEAM programming. Booming Bucks was made possible through generous support from the Illinois General Assembly and the sponsor of Public Act 101-0561, Illinois State Senator Iris Y. Martinez.
“We are grateful to the General Assembly for creating this opportunity to fund STEAM programs in Illinois schools,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala. “To get more women and people of color into science and engineering, we have to start young. This special lottery ticket will support inclusive, exciting, and hands-on learning for students to jumpstart their exposure to STEAM careers.”
“By creating an additional source, through the Illinois Lottery, to provide more funds for STEAM programs in underserved school districts, residents have a new opportunity to support our students,” said Illinois State Senator Iris Y. Martinez. “I commend this initiative and encourage all who can to test their luck on this new ticket, directly benefiting students in communities of color.”
The Booming Bucks ticket costs $2 and gives players the chance to win up to $20,000. The ticket is on sale now at Illinois Lottery retail locations.
This specialty ticket is one of nine in the Illinois Lottery’s portfolio of instant tickets that support special causes. Since 2006, the Illinois Lottery has directed more than $50 million in funding toward special causes in Illinois through specialty ticket sales.
To learn more about this ticket, visit Specialty Tickets: STEAM.
About the Illinois Lottery:
Founded in 1974, the Illinois Lottery has contributed over $21 billion (since 1985) 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 homelessness prevention, Illinois Veterans services, the fight against breast cancer, MS research, Special Olympics, police memorials and assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS. In addition to playing in-store, the Illinois Lottery offers online and mobile play for all draw-based Illinois Lottery games at illinoislottery.com. Players must be at least 18 years old.
Following the success of its installation at Winpot Puebla, Zitro strengthens its partnership with the Mexican operator by launching its innovative line of CONCEPT cabinets at Winpot Boca del Río.
CONCEPT arrives with Zitro’s perfect game combo: Legendary Sword and King Fu Frog. Thanks to their high-quality graphics and innovative mechanics, both titles are designed to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience. The machines feature the Magic Lighting system, which synchronizes lights and sounds with the game, in addition to their modern Screen Deck, providing greater comfort and functionality for players and the operations team, among many other features that make it a worldwide success.
Anuar Haua, Operations Director of Winpot, commented: “After our success with the CONCEPT cabinets in our Puebla venue, it was natural to bring this experience to the Boca del Río public. The response from our players has been incredible, and with this new installation, we reaffirm our commitment to offering the best of the market, hand in hand with Zitro.”
Johnny Ortiz Viveiros, founder of Zitro, added: “We are proud to see how CONCEPT continues to gain ground in Mexico, now also at Winpot Boca del Río. This collaboration reflects the mutual commitment we share with Winpot to elevate the player experience through technology, design, and innovation.”
Justin Simporios is normally a sound sleeper who “can fall asleep anywhere” – but he had a very sleepless night, after learning he won an $80-million Lotto Max jackpot from the May 9, 2025 draw. This is the largest lottery jackpot ever won in B.C. and is also the largest jackpot ever won by a single individual in Canada.
“It was 10:30 p.m.,” recalled Simporios of the moment he realized he won. “I saw that someone won $80 million in Surrey. I was joking and told my wife ‘we’re millionaires!’ and she told me to stop making that joke. After, I manually checked each number before scanning [using the BCLC Lotto! I cried and shouted, ‘we’re millionaires!’”
The Surrey resident woke up his wife to share the news. “She was in complete disbelief and a bit mad at me because our daughter wasn’t feeling well.” Simporios’ wife luckily agreed this was a good reason to wake her.
While still in disbelief about his win, Simporios is ultimately most excited to share his windfall with his family. “I want to help my family and my wife’s family. I’ll pay off my sister’s medical school debt and help my mom retire early – just giving my family a head start in life.”
Giving back to the community in Surrey and B.C. is also a key priority for Simporios. “I’ve struggled before and needed help. Even if I can give an ounce of happiness, I want to help where we can. This feels like a dream.”
As an avid LA Lakers fan, Simporios mentioned he would like to see LeBron James play before James retires. He also plans to visit his family in the Philippines for a family reunion. “My wife and kid have never visited!”
On how it feels to win a record-breaking jackpot?
“The biggest change will be having more time with my wife and family. We want to live with a purpose – to help the community around us.”
Simporios purchased the winning ticket at the Walmart Supercentre in Central City on King George Boulevard in Surrey.
So far in 2025, B.C. lottery players have redeemed more than $101 million from Lotto Max. Lotto Max is a nationwide lottery game drawn on Tuesdays and Fridays after 7:30 p.m. (PST).
Players can purchase tickets at lottery retailers or at PlayNow.com. Winning numbers and group release forms can be found online at www.bclc.com. Players can check their lottery tickets anytime, anywhere on iOS and Android devices. Learn more about the BCLC Lotto!
BCLC offers socially responsible gambling entertainment while generating income to benefit all British Columbians. Players can visit PlayNow.com to learn how to set time and money limits.
LEON Esports, the international esports division of Leon.bet, has officially become the international partner of SAW, one of the leading Counter-Strike 2 teams in Europe.
Based in Portugal, SAW is currently ranked #24 in the global CS2 rankings (HLTV) and maintains a strong position within the Top 30. The team is recognized for its competitive consistency, professional structure, and growing fanbase across Europe.
This partnership marks the second major esports collaboration for LEON Esports, following its ongoing cooperation with FlyQuest. The agreement with SAW reflects LEON’s continued commitment to the development of the global esports ecosystem and its support for high-performing international teams.
The cooperation will include a range of joint initiatives, such as exclusive content creation, community activations, and brand integrations designed to strengthen the connection between the team and its audience.
With this new partnership, LEON Esports continues to expand its presence in international esports and invest in teams that demonstrate both potential and performance on the world stage.
-
Canada7 days agoAGCO issues penalties of $151,000 against Great Canadian Entertainment for alleged age verification failures
-
Compliance Updates6 days agoGreyhound Advocates Applaud Oregon Governor Tina Kotek for Signing Historic Internet Betting Ban on Greyhound Races
-
Latest News5 days agoRush Street Interactive Announces Initiative Supporting Increased Gaming Literacy for Teens
-
Latest News6 days agoScientific Games Wins Three 2025 American Business Awards for Lottery Retail Technology Innovation and Instant Scratch Game Achievement
-
Latest News6 days agoSouth Africa is Leading the Call for Responsible Gambling in African Countries
-
Canada5 days agoOLG Selects Caesars Entertainment as the Service Provider for Windsor Casino
-
Compliance Updates5 days agoMinimum Deposit Casinos Warns of Sweeping Changes as States Crack Down on Online Sweepstakes Casinos
-
Latest News5 days agoWildly popular ‘Fortune Tiger’ game among PG Soft Brazil rollout