The Lottery works for education

In Fiscal Year 2023, the Virginia Lottery had sales of more than $4.6 billion. Of this total, the Lottery generated more than $867 million for K-12 public education; more than $3.4 billion went back to players in the form of prizes, more than $137 million went to the retailers who sell Virginia Lottery tickets, and $195 million went to operational expenses.

Since 1999, all Virginia Lottery profits have been used for K-12 public education in Virginia. On this page, you can find the breakdown of historical Lottery sales figures. Below that data, you can see how much of the FY2023 profits were given to each public-school division in Virginia.

When Virginians voted in 1987 for a state-operated lottery, some people may have assumed that they voted on how to spend the Lottery's proceeds. This was not the case. Lottery proceeds were to be used as determined by the General Assembly. The use of the proceeds has changed over time. In 1989, Lottery proceeds were dedicated to capital-construction projects. From 1990 to 1998, Lottery proceeds were transferred to the state's General Fund. Starting in 1999, a state budget amendment sent Lottery proceeds to local public-school divisions to be used solely for educational purposes. In 2000, more than 80% of Virginia voters said yes to the creation of the State Lottery Proceeds Fund. The measure, now a permanent part of Virginia's Constitution, directs all Virginia Lottery profits to be used solely for educational purposes.

If you have an organization and would like a Virginia Lottery spokesperson to speak with your group about the Lottery’s benefit to education, just e-mail us at speakers@valottery.com.

To celebrate a record-smashing year of profits in FY2023, we are extending a promotional offer to you! Offer: Buy $10 worth of draw games online in a single transaction today, and you'll get 50% off. *Use promo code: 867MIL.

Virginia Lottery Revenue Distribution

Results are unofficial until audited

Making a difference in your community

Lottery Proceeds Fund balances are distributed by the Virginia Department of Education in accordance with the approved state budget. Details are included in the current year’s Appropriation Act in the Office of Education Budget.

Literary Fund

By law, all unclaimed Virginia Lottery prizes go to the Literary Fund, which provides low-interest loans to localities for public-school construction, renovations and technology upgrades. The Lottery transferred $12.6 million to the Literary Fund in Fiscal Year 2023. Since 1988, the Lottery has transferred more than $350 million in unclaimed prizes to the Literary Fund.

Set-Off Debt Collection Act

The Lottery also participates in the Setoff Debt Collection Act, in which prize payments are withheld to pay certain obligations that the prizewinner owes. Examples of these obligations are state and federal taxes, child support and tuition from state universities or colleges. The Virginia Lottery collected more than $8 million in FY2023 and has collected a total of more than $56 million since 1988.

Disclaimer: *This offer is valid to claim until 11:59:59 p.m. ET on 6/30/24. Minimum online purchase of $10 worth of draw games (Powerball, Mega Millions, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Cash 5 and/or Cash4Life®) in a single transaction required. Max discount amount is $5. Offer is valid only once per account. See official promotional rules for details.