Illinois lotterySPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois’ lottery contractor will likely be $200 million short of the money it promised the state this year when the fiscal year ends next week.

Northstar Lottery Group has never reached the profits it signed onto when it took over in 2011.

The contract says falling short of goals by 10 percent two years in a row is reason to end the partnership, and this year would be the second consecutive year it hasn’t made its goal.

Northstar CEO Tim Simonson says that his company has achieved higher profits than the state ever did. He also argues state officials have limited the company’s ability to launch new games and marketing campaigns.

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