History of Virginia Lottery in Timeline

The Virginia Lottery, established in 1987 following a referendum, is an independent agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Since its first ticket sale in 1988, all profits are constitutionally mandated to support K-12 public education in Virginia. In Fiscal Year 2024, the lottery generated over $934 million in profits, contributing approximately 10% of the state's school funding. To date, the Virginia Lottery has generated more than $16 billion for Virginia's public schools.

1987: Voters approved lottery

In 1987, Virginia voters approved a government-run lottery.

1987: Virginia Lottery created

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

September 20, 1988: First ticket was sold

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

September 20, 1988: Sales began

Sales of lottery tickets began on September 20, 1988.

1989: Total lottery profits in Virginia reached more than $16 billion

From 1989 through June 2024, total lottery profits in Virginia reached more than $16 billion.

1989: General Assembly directed lottery proceeds

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

1990: Lottery proceeds directed to Virginia's General Fund

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

1996: Mega Millions first offered

In 1996, Virginia was one of the original six states to first offer the drawing game known as "The Big Game", later renamed Mega Millions.

1998: Lottery proceeds directed to Virginia's General Fund

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

1999: Lottery proceeds to be 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 approved the creation of the State Lottery Proceeds Fund

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

February 20, 2004: Largest win in the Virginia Lottery's history

On February 20, 2004, the largest win in the Virginia Lottery's history occurred when J. R. Triplett of Winchester won a Mega Millions jackpot worth $239 million.

2010: Powerball became available in Virginia

In 2010, the Powerball game first became available in the commonwealth of Virginia.

July 1, 2020: Online sales began

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

2020: Cash4Life prize claim was changed

In 2020 the Cash4Life prize claim was changed, since 2020 was a leap year and had 366 days, the original prize claim was for $1,000 a day.

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

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

April 2024: Khalid R. Jones appointed as the lottery's executive director

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

June 2024: Lottery profits totaled more than $934 million

In June 2024, the lottery's profits totaled more than $934 million, accounting for approximately 10 percent of school funding in Virginia.

2024: Unclaimed prizes transferred to the Literary Fund

As of 2024 more than $370 million in unclaimed prizes have been transferred to the Literary Fund.

2024: Lottery sales, profits, prizes, and retailer commissions

In fiscal year 2024, lottery sales were more than $5.5 billion, generated more than $934 million for public education, $4.2 billion went back to players as prizes, and more than $142 million was earned by retailers as sales commissions.