Attention gift-givers: If you’re planning to buy socks, a tie, or a “#1 Dad” mug this Father’s Day, you might want to reconsider. According to a new statewide survey* commissioned by the Illinois Lottery, a whopping 84% of Illinois dads feel that Father’s Day gets way less love than Mother’s Day—and they might be right. In fact, only 41% report that they received a gift from family on their special day. Fortunately, these dads are not shy about what they’d like to receive next time.
From heartfelt to hilarious, dads across Illinois dished on their dream gifts, revealing that many would trade a tie for a tasty meal—or even control of the TV remote!
What’s more, over a third of Illinois fathers admitted to faking excitement over disappointing Father’s Day gifts in the past. Among the most dreaded presents?
The good news: Most dads (60%) say spending just $25 to $50 is the perfect amount for Father’s Day gifts—meaning the bar isn’t set high, maybe it’s just set wrong.
So, what do dads actually want? Here’s a tip that might surprise you: 83% say they’d love to receive a lottery ticket—yet only 23% ever have. With Instant Ticket games ranging from $1 to $50 and available at nearly 7,000 retailers across the state, the Illinois Lottery provides a quick and convenient way to add a little fun and a welcome surprise.
This Father’s Day, skip the argyle socks and give dad a moment of excitement, a chance to win big, and maybe—just maybe—a day with complete control of the remote.
*The Illinois Lottery commissioned a quantitative survey in May 2025 with 500 Illinois fathers, ages 18 to 65+, to better understand attitudes, expectations, and wish lists ahead of Father’s Day.