Will Illinois’ online lottery impact local businesses?

The State Lottery has indicated it intends to start offering the tickets for sale as early as late March. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

Rob Karr from the Illinois Retail Merchants Association joined WJBC’s R.C. McBride and Jim Fitzpatrick on Tuesday to discuss the impact of online lottery sales on local businesses.

“I do think you have to be careful anytime you pull traffic out of a store, but again we’re realistic about the Internet being here,” Karr said.

Members of the Illinois Association of Convenience Stores and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association recently went public with their concerns about online ticket sales.

The state Lottery has indicated it intends to start offering the tickets for sale as early as late March after a federal ruling opened the door late last year.

Listen to the complete interview below:

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R.C. McBride can be reached at rcmcbride@wjbc.com.

Jim Fitzpatrick can be reached at jim@wjbc.com.