RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Lottery has launched a new gaming experience: MobilePlay.
It offers players the opportunity to purchase existing draw games and new “e-games” via the Virginia Lottery mobile app.
MobilePlay works by connecting a smartphone or tablet to a Lottery retailer’s Bluetooth signal. The majority of the Virginia Lottery’s 5,400 traditional retailer partners will offer MobilePlay. There also are a number of new, mobile-only retailers prepared to offer e-games. Those non-traditional retailers include restaurants, hotels, malls and more.
“MobilePlay is the start of a really exciting new era for the Virginia Lottery – one that allows us to engage with players through mobile technology, which is where most adult consumers expect to be able to conduct much of their business today,” said Virginia Lottery Executive Director Kevin Hall. “MobilePlay allows us to offer both new and traditional lottery products, along with some cool new consumer tools. All of these products and features are now available on your smartphone whenever an adult consumer finds themselves standing anywhere within the premises of a licensed Lottery retailer.”
The mobile app, which has been downloaded over 145,000 times, was introduced in July. When adult players are in Bluetooth range, they can use their device to purchase draw game tickets, like Mega Millions or Powerball, or access a suite of e-games.
Players must have an existing, verified Virginia Lottery MyGameRoom account and begin by adding $5 or more into their mobile wallet.
At launch, there are 12 e-games available, including Texas Hold‘em Champion’s Edition, Crossword Royale and 50X The Money. New games will be introduced each month.
Players must be 18 years old or older to play any Virginia Lottery game. All MobilePlay purchases include consumer protections such as age verification and voluntary exclusion options for players who choose to opt-out of future gameplay.
“MobilePlay will be an essential element of our portfolio to ensure we’re staying competitive in a very dynamic entertainment landscape and continuing to meet our mandate and our mission, which is generating resources for Virginia’s K-12 public schools,” said Hall.