Virginia Lottery releases new app in ‘huge’ online acceleration

Virginia Lottery
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The Virginia Lottery has released a new gaming app as it seeks to keep pace with the ‘quickly evolving’ position of digital gaming in the state.

Online sales have been a big revenue boost to the Virginia Lottery since it began issuing tickets in July 2020, and with just two months remaining of the current fiscal year, the lottery is on target to reach more than $1.3bn in online sales alone.

Reacting to market demand, the lottery’s new app is regarded as a “huge, state-of-the-art step forward” and offers new tools and features that aims to make it more accessible and enjoyable.

Launched alongside Charlottesville-based WillowTree, a Virginia mobile app and web development design business, the app also seeks to enhance security and responsible play.

“This isn’t just a new app, it’s a new experience,” commented Kelly Gee, Virginia Lottery Acting Executive Director.

“With a strategic focus on providing the best possible customer experience and attracting new, digital-savvy customers, our partnership with WillowTree has allowed us to take the Virginia Lottery’s app to a new level and truly enhance our players’ interaction with us.”

Users will be able to play most Virginia Lottery draw games, including Pick 3 and Pick 4 with Fireball, Cash 5 with EZ Match and multi-state draw games Powerball, Mega Millions and Cash 4 Life.

Additionally, there are more than 40 digital instant games similar to scratch-off games, and players can also enter promotional and second-chance drawings, check winning numbers and immediately scan a ticket to see if it’s a winner.

“This app represents a massive step forward in both capabilities and user experience, allowing Virginians to play real-money ilottery games as a fully native mobile experience,” said WillowTree CEO Tobias Dengel.

“Mobile gaming is an enormous industry, and this app gives Virginia Lottery the opportunity to enter that space and open a new revenue stream. We know the lottery has an important mission and this new app offers substantial growth potential in terms of supporting K-12 education in the Commonwealth.”

Dengel added: “Together we have built an innovative experience that meets the demanding expectations of today’s mobile-first consumer.”