As reported by NBC12, the Virginia Lottery has announced that it has recorded its third-best year ever in 2020 despite the economic downturn currently facing the world as a result of COVID-19.
Having come to a conclusion on June 30, the lottery confirmed the fiscal year had seen it generate the third-highest amount in its 32-year history, with a profit total of $595m. The lottery also revealed that all profits will now benefit K-12 public education in the Commonwealth, which in turn equates to roughly $1.6m per day raised for schools.
Kevin Hall, Virginia Lottery Executive Director, stated: “In a challenging year, the Virginia Lottery rose to the occasion with new technology, new types of games, and new ways of engaging with consumers.
“At a time when the gaming environment in Virginia is changing and expanding as never before, the Lottery continues to lead the way with integrity, solid business practices and innovation – all to benefit K-12 education in Virginia.”
Virginia Lottery players won more than $1.3bn in prizes and retailers who sell lottery games earned over $120m in sales commissions. Moreover, the posted figures also revealed that total sales for the year topped out at roughly $2.15bn.
A statement made by the operator read: “The biggest single win of the year was a Haymarket man, who won the $10 million top prize when he bought an Extreme Millions Scratcher ticket in Manassas. That was one of 39 wins of $1 million or more during the year. Roughly 61 cents of each dollar spent on lottery tickets in Virginia goes right back to customers in the form of prizes.”
Additionally, the report also unveiled a total of around $14m in unclaimed prize money, which by law has since been transferred to Virginia’s Literary Fund, which provides low interest loans to localities for public school construction, renovations and technology upgrades.
