History of Virginia Lottery in Timeline

The Virginia Lottery is an independent agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia established in 1987 following a statewide referendum. Ticket sales began in 1988, and all profits are constitutionally mandated to support K-12 public education in Virginia. In Fiscal Year 2025, the lottery generated over $901 million in profits, contributing approximately 10% of the state's school funding. To date, the Virginia Lottery has contributed over $17.3 billion to Virginia's K-12 education system.

1987: Virginia voters approve government-run lottery

In 1987, Virginia voters approved a government-run lottery, but the referendum made no designation of how lottery profits would be spent.

1987: State lottery created

In 1987, the Virginia Lottery was created when Virginians voted in a statewide referendum in favor of a state lottery.

September 20, 1988: Sales begin

On September 20, 1988, sales of lottery tickets began.

September 20, 1988: First ticket sold

On September 20, 1988, the first Virginia Lottery ticket was sold.

1989: Total lottery profits exceed $17.3 billion

From 1989 through June 2025, total lottery profits in Virginia reached more than $17.3 billion.

1989: Lottery proceeds directed to capital construction projects

In 1989, the General Assembly directed lottery proceeds to capital construction projects.

1990: Lottery proceeds directed to General Fund

From 1990 to 1998, lottery proceeds went to Virginia's General Fund.

1996: Mega Millions launch in Virginia

In 1996, Virginia was one of the original six states to first offer Mega Millions, when it was known as "The Big Game".

1998: Lottery proceeds directed to General Fund

From 1990 to 1998, lottery proceeds went to Virginia's General Fund.

1999: All proceeds assigned exclusively to education

Starting in 1999, a provision in Virginia's budget called for all lottery proceeds to be assigned exclusively to education.

November 2000: Voters approve State Lottery Proceeds Fund

In November 2000, Virginia voters approved the creation of the State Lottery Proceeds Fund by an 83.5-point margin, directing the General Assembly to use all lottery profits for educational purposes.

2010: Powerball available in Virginia

Since 2010, Powerball has been available in Virginia.

July 1, 2020: Online sales begin

On July 1, 2020, online lottery sales began in Virginia, the first day allowed under a change in state law that had previously banned online play.

2020: Cash4Life prize adjustment

In 2020, the top prize for Cash4Life was changed since 2020 was a leap year, from $1,000 a day to the choice of $365,000 a year for life or a $7,000,000 lump sum.

January 1, 2024: New Year's Millionaire Raffle drawing

On January 1, 2024, the Virginia Lottery held its New Year's Millionaire Raffle drawing, featuring five $1 million top prizes, seven $100,000 prizes, and 1,000 prizes of $500 each, with 625,000 tickets available for sale.

April 2024: Khalid R. Jones appointed executive director

In April 2024, Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointed Khalid R. Jones as the Virginia Lottery's executive director.

June 2025: Lottery profits exceed $901 million

In June 2025, the Virginia Lottery's profits totaled more than $901 million, accounting for approximately 10 percent of school funding in Virginia.

June 27, 2025: Largest win in Virginia Lottery history

On June 27, 2025, the largest win in the Virginia Lottery's history occurred when a Mega Millions jackpot worth $348 million was won with a ticket bought in Burgess, VA.

2025: Unclaimed prizes transferred to Literary Fund

As of 2025, more than $393 million in unclaimed prizes have been transferred to the Virginia Literary Fund.

2025: Lottery sales and contributions

In fiscal year 2025, lottery sales were more than $5.77 billion; the lottery generated more than $901 million for public education, $4.5 billion went back to players as prizes, and nearly $128 million was earned by retailers as sales commissions.