The Virginia Lottery makes history as it becomes the first-ever state to outperform in-person lottery ticket sales with its online tickets. In fact, during a 12-month period, it sold a total of more than $5.5 million tickets online and offline, with over $3 billion coming from online sales.

The Virginia Lottery has reached a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first state lottery in the US to sell more tickets online than in-person within a single fiscal year. This significant accomplishment showcases the evolving landscape of lottery sales and marks a pivotal moment in the industry.

A record-breaking year for the Virginia Lottery

In a fiscal year that ended on the 30th of June, 2024, the Virginia Lottery reported record-breaking ticket sales amounting to $5.521 billion. This figure represents a nearly 20% increase from the previous year's sales of $4.612 billion. Notably, over $3 billion of these sales were conducted online, while approximately $2.45 billion came from traditional in-person retailers for the Virginia Lottery.

The Virginia Lottery first introduced online games along with ticket sales on the 1st of July, 2020, a move that has paid off handsomely. John Hagerty, a spokesperson for the Virginia Lottery, noted that yearly internet sales have consistently increased over the past four years, culminating in the record-breaking online sales seen in the fiscal year of 2024.

Online lottery legality in Virginia pays off

Virginia is one of only nine states in the US where online lotteries are legal. The other states include Illinois, Georgia, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina, and North Dakota, with Washington, DC also allowing iLottery. Massachusetts is expected to join the ranks with its online lottery market set to launch next year. Despite the limited number of states offering online lottery sales, Virginia's achievement is worth noting as it is the first iLottery jurisdiction to report higher annual online sales than in-person purchases.

While the rise in online sales may raise concerns for lottery retailers, Hagerty emphasized that in-person sales have also grown in line with the increases in internet sales. For instance, the Virginia Lottery continues to rely on its extensive network of around 5,300 business retailers that contribute to in-person lottery sales. These retailers remain an integral part of the lottery ecosystem, contributing significantly to the overall success of the Virginia Lottery.

The lottery's overall benefit to the Virginia public

One of the most significant aspects of the Virginia Lottery's operations is its contribution to public education. The lottery primarily helps K-12 public schools in Virginia, generating approximately $2.3 million each day for public education. Since its inception in 1999, the Virginia Lottery has funneled more than $13.6 billion in profits to support public education in the state.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin praised the lottery's latest fiscal performance, noting its positive impact on education funding. "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 stated. He also said that he is thrilled that these record profits will help provide the necessary resources and support for Virginia's students.

The $5.5 billion in game sales during the 2024 fiscal year resulted in a record lottery profit of over $934 million, contributing around 10% of the K-12 education budget. This financial boost will play a crucial role in enhancing educational opportunities and resources for students across the state.

A $1 million gift

In a heartwarming story that further shows the lottery's positive impact on Virginians, a recent winner used his $1 million prize to help his son start a new chapter in life. Aaron Andrews, a resident of Prince William County, won $1 million in the Cash4Life lottery during the drawing on August 3. Andrews' father, an enthusiastic lottery player, had purchased the winning ticket and decided to gift the money to his son, who had been living in the basement of his father's house with his wife since their wedding in April. The elder Andrews' generosity allowed his son and daughter-in-law to move out and start their own home.