By Cole Lauterbach/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois will be dropped from the multi-state Powerball and Mega Millions game if lawmakers don’t pass a budget by June 30, the Illinois Lottery confirmed Thursday.

“It is disappointing that the legislature’s inability to pass a budget has led to this development and will result in Illinois Lottery players being denied the opportunity to play these popular games,” Acting Director Greg Smith said in a prepared statement. “This is why it’s so critical the General Assembly deliver a balanced budget to the governor’s desk that he can sign.”

Citing internal Illinois Lottery communications, the Chicago Sun-Times said the Multi-State Lottery Association made the decision to drop Illinois due to concerns over the state’s fiscal condition.

Illinois has not had an approved budget in two years, but due to court orders has been spending billions of dollars more than it brings in. The state currently has a backlog of bills totaling more than $14 billion.

Also on Thursday, Gov. Bruce Rauner called lawmakers back to Springfield for a special session beginning Wednesday. Rauner said he wants the General Assembly to reach an agreement on a balanced budget by the June 30 end of the fiscal year.

A spokeswoman for the Multi-State Lottery Association would not confirm the games would be pulled from the shelves and offered no comment.

The state reported more than $300 million in combined sales between the two games last year.