RICHMOND, Va. — Governor Ralph Northam announced Wednesday that the Virginia Lottery had a record-breaking year.
The lottery's sales, unaudited figures, reached over $2.29 billion, and its profits totaled nearly $650 million in the last fiscal year, which ended on June 30. It saw a seven percent increase in profits from 2018, and it's equal to about $1.78 million per day for education in the Commonwealth generated by the Lottery.
The sales and profit numbers were announced during the Lottery Board’s quarterly meeting in Richmond. The final, audited results will be released in August.
“Students and teachers in every part of our Commonwealth continue to benefit from the Virginia Lottery’s record-high proceeds, and with an increase in the Lottery per Pupil Allocation, our school districts have more flexibility to use Lottery profits to meet their diverse needs,” said Governor Northam. “With this funding, we are not only supporting a variety of important programs in our public schools, but we are also making critical investments in our young Virginians and expanding opportunities for them to succeed.”
Governor Northam said about 10 percent of Virginia's budget comes from the lottery. Virginia’s Constitution requires that all Virginia Lottery profits be deposited in the Lottery Proceeds Fund. From the fund, the General Assembly makes appropriations in support of K-12 public education programs like purchasing textbooks, school breakfast, and career and technical education.
About 5,300 businesses that sell Lottery tickets earned nearly $130 million in commissions and incentives in Fiscal Year 2019.
Lottery players won more than $1.4 billion in prizes, including 45 tickets that each won at least $1 million.
Virginia’s two biggest wins of the year were both $10 million. Charles Martin of Amelia Courthouse won it when he scratched an Extreme Millions ticket that he bought in Blackstone in September. In July, Juanita Simpson and Sharon Calhoun, both of Virginia Beach, split the $10 million top prize in the 100X the Money Scratcher game. Their winning ticket was bought in Newport News.
“As the competitive environment for gaming continues to evolve in Virginia, the Lottery remains a successful, well-run business and a proven, trusted brand,” said Virginia Lottery Executive Director Kevin Hall. “We’re working to develop and deliver new types of games in new ways using new technology to meet customers where they are today. We provide good fun for a great purpose, and that is to generate additional funds for K-12 education in the Commonwealth.”
Click here to learn more about the Virginia Lottery.
