Illinois will offer online Lottery ticket sales this spring, and while some applaud the added cash to state coffers, others think is a terrible idea. National lottery

“We’re very troubled by it,” said Jerry Prosapio of Crestwood, who is co-founder of Gambling Exposed. “Any new form of legalized gambling has brought more addiction and with the addiction it brings additional bankruptcies and crime.”

Illinois Lottery Superintendent Michael Jones said online Lottery sales could benefit the cash-strapped state, nowadays Illinois gets 25 cents for every instant ticket sold and 41 to 42 cents for every Mega Millions ticket sold.

But, research has shown that online sales could draw 300,000 to 500,000 more players to the Mega Millions game when the pot is $100 million or more, which occurs 30 to 40 times a year, he said. The average player spends about $5 per game.

Jones said the online ticket sales system will be limited to people 18 and older and to restrict sales to within the borders of Illinois.

Online sales should start in Illinois in March or April and the pilot program, which will last three or four years, includes Mega Millions and Lotto. Lottery numbers

The Illinois Lottery Commission plans to add online Powerball ticket sales, too. Powerball wasn’t offered in Illinois when the legislation was approved, Jones said.

Customers will buy online Lottery tickets with credit cards. But a cash-only policy will remain in effect for ticket purchases at stores and gas stations around the state.

Jones said there will be a limit that will put a cap on how someone can spend on one game’s draw. The cap hasn’t been determined.

“That’s why it’s a test,” Jones said of the pilot program.

He said the mandate from the state is to sell the tickets in an “ethical and socially responsible manner.”

And some Lottery players welcome the option of buying tickets online like Lloyd Spender who said, “It’s a good idea because now if you want to play, you don’t have to leave home, you can just play it on the computer”. Spender is a frequent player of North Chicago, “When it gets cold out you don’t want to leave home.”

But others are no sot sure online ticket sales would be a good thing.

Judi Palmer of Coal City said using a credit card to buy lottery tickets is a bad idea because she is afraid people will run up their credit cards or cause overdrafts on their debit cards.

“Keep it cash,” she said. “If they’re anything like me, if it goes online, I would definitely be overdrafting.”

Robin Pacheco, a clerk at Martinez Grocery II in Joliet, said she doesn’t think it’s a good idea either.

“It’s not going to help people who have gambling problems,” she said.

John Goodwin, manager of Joliet Pantry in downtown Joliet, said he thinks customers should be able to use credit cards to buy Lottery tickets at all locations, not just online.

“It seems kind of unfair you can use a credit card online but not at a store,” he said.

Gary Carter of Joliet, who lives just over the river from Joliet Pantry, said he won’t buy tickets online for an important reason.

“I need the exercise,” he said of the walk to the store. “I’ve got bad legs so I need the exercise to keep my knee lubricated.”

The last word is on Illinois’ residents who soon will be able to choose how, where and how much to buy.

What will you choose?