Record-Breaking Year for Virginia Lottery with Online Sales Taking the Lead
Historic Milestone for Virginia Lottery
In an unprecedented shift, the Virginia Lottery has become the first in the United States to generate more revenue from online ticket sales than from in-person purchases during a fiscal year. The fiscal year ending on June 30, 2024, saw total lottery ticket sales reach an all-time high of $5.521 billion, marking a nearly 20% increase from the previous year’s $4.612 billion.
Lottery officials revealed that over $3 billion of these sales came from online transactions, while approximately $2.45 billion were generated through traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. The Virginia Lottery, which launched its internet games and ticket sales on July 1, 2020, has seen steady growth in its online segment, culminating in this record-setting performance.
A Growing Trend in Online Lottery Sales
Virginia’s success in the online lottery market is not an isolated case, as online lottery gaming is currently legal in nine states across the U.S., including Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Dakota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The District of Columbia also allows iLottery, and Massachusetts is preparing to launch its online lottery operations next year.
John Hagerty, a spokesperson for the Virginia Lottery, noted that while the surge in online sales might raise concerns among lottery retailers, in-person sales have continued to grow alongside the digital expansion. The state currently has around 5,300 businesses acting as lottery retailers.
Lottery Profits Fuel Public Education
The Virginia Lottery plays a crucial role in funding public education, contributing approximately $2.3 million per day to K-12 schools. Since its inception in 1999, the lottery has generated over $13.6 billion in profits, all of which have been directed towards supporting primary and secondary education in the state.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin praised the lottery’s latest fiscal performance, highlighting its impact on education. “Over the course of my administration, we have been able to achieve record funding for K-12 education, allowing for increased opportunities in the classroom,” Youngkin said. “I am thrilled that these record profits will provide the necessary support and resources for Virginia’s students.”
In the 2024 fiscal year alone, the lottery’s $5.5 billion in game sales resulted in a record profit of more than $934 million, with about 10% of the state’s K-12 education budget coming from lottery revenues.
$1 Million Lottery Win Sparks New Beginnings
In other lottery news, a Virginia Lottery player from Prince William County won $1 million in the Cash4Life drawing on August 3. The lucky winner, an avid lottery player, matched the five white numbers drawn, securing his choice between $1,000 a week for life or a one-time lump sum of $1 million.
Opting for the lump sum, the winner generously gifted the money to his son, Aaron Andrews, who had been living in his father’s basement with his wife since their wedding in April. “This was the best way to get him out of the basement,” the winner joked.
After federal and state taxes, Aaron Andrews will take home approximately $572,500, marking a significant step towards a new chapter for the young couple.
