The state’s auditor general says the Illinois Lottery violated state finance law last year.

The lottery made two $10 million payments on June 30, 2015, when it was clear lawmakers had failed to agree on a state budget that should have begun the next day.

The Lottery Department denies any laws were broken.

According to the audit, lottery officials made the early payments because they worried the looming budget stalemate would prevent participation in the Multi-State Lottery Association’s future Powerball and Mega Millions games.