Lottery History and Impact
The West Virginia Lottery History
West Virginia voters approved the Lottery Amendment to the State Constitution on November 6, 1984 by a vote of 67% for the amendment. The West Virginia Legislature passed the Lottery Act in April of 1985 and it was signed into law that May by Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr. The West Virginia Lottery began operations in 1986 with a single scratch-off game called “West Virginia Jackpot” that generated more than $53.0 million in sales. |
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West Virginia voters approved the Lottery Amendment to the State Constitution on November 6, 1984 by a vote of 67% for the amendment. The West Virginia Legislature passed the Lottery Act in April of 1985 and it was signed into law that May by Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr.
The West Virginia Lottery began operations in 1986 with a single scratch-off game called “West Virginia Jackpot” that generated more than $53.0 million in sales.
Today, the West Virginia Lottery regulates several forms of gaming that include traditional lottery, racetrack video lottery, limited video lottery, table games, sports wagering, and interactive wagering.
West Virginia Lottery proceeds have a direct impact on the quality of life of all West Virginians. The West Virginia Legislature uses lottery proceeds to help improve public education at every level from K through 12 to higher education through support of the School Building Authority, the West Virginia Department of Education, the Higher Education Policy Commission, education improvement bonds and the PROMISE Scholarship Program.
Lottery proceeds also help the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services provide nutrition programs, in-home care services and many other programs and services for West Virginia’s senior citizens. Lottery proceeds also go toward enhancing the State’s growing tourism industry and improving West Virginia’s State Parks, Giving Back to West Virginia.
The Lottery sells more than 40 different instant games a year, offers the popular in-state online drawing games of Keno Go, Daily 3, Daily 4, and Cash 25, offers the Multi-State Lottery games of Powerball®, Mega Millions® and Lotto America®, regulates Sports Wagering, i-Gaming, Limited Video Lottery, and regulates Video Lottery and Table Games at the state’s four racetrack casinos and the Greenbrier Resort.
The Lottery’s continued success is largely attributed to its partnerships with around 1,500 traditional and 1,200 limited video lottery retailers. These retailers employ thousands of West Virginians. Additionally, optimized products and ongoing communications have created satisfied Lottery players who continue to help us generate a significant, positive impact on West Virginia’s economy.
The West Virginia Lottery registered total gross sales of over
$1.32 BILLION
for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2023 nearly $283.8 million above projections. LVL revenues were at their highest ever at $493.6 million.
Fiscal Year 2023
The West Virginia Lottery registered total gross sales of over $1.32 billion for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2023, nearly $283.8 million above projections. The Lottery was able to allocate $564.2 million in proceeds to the State. LVL revenues were at their highest ever at $493.6 million.
Overall, West Virginia Lottery players, retailers, and casinos shared in a total of just over $699 million in prizes and commissions from all forms of gaming in FY2023.
Each of these gaming operations was able to provide the following in transfers: Traditional Lottery $53.5 million, Racetrack Video Lottery $230.4 million, Limited Video Lottery $246.3 million, and $17.3 million from table games.
Additionally the Historic Resort at the Greenbrier supplied $2.57 million in transfers, while sports wagering and interactive wagering were able to provide $4.5 million and $21.9 million, respectively.
Lottery proceeds leave a substantial imprint on a wide range of programs that benefit the people and communities of West Virginia.
The 2023 state budget included $564.2 million in cash transfers from the Lottery. This included $120.4 million for education, $80 million for senior services, $62.9 million for tourism, $118.2 million to the General Fund, $46.1 million towards the Infrastructure Council, with other agencies collecting $136.6 million, including $29.0 million towards the PROMISE Scholarship fund and $621.5 thousand for veterans. A total of $29.3 million in statutory transfers were paid to county and local municipalities in FY2023.
The West Virginia Lottery’s total operating costs were 3.5 percent of total sales, and this allowed the Lottery to generate a surplus in the amount of $141.1 million available for additional legislative appropriations.