Virginia Lottery Games
Founded in 1987, the first Virginia Lottery tickets went on sale the very next year.
Since 1999, all Virginia Lottery proceeds have been donated to K-12 schools across the state, with over $11.5 billion having already been raised for local education to date.
Pick 3
In Pick 3, players can daily stake either $0.50 or $1.00.
Players must choose three numbers between 0 and 9, and because each number is chosen independently, the same number can be chosen two or three times if desired. Participants must then choose whether to bet on matching all three numbers in the order drawn, in any order, or to split a $1.00 stake equally between both options.
A Combo entry can be selected, for a ticket with every possible combination.
Participants can choose just two numbers if they wish, by matching these in the exact order as either the first or second pair of numbers drawn.
Finally, players can add Fireball to their ticket for the chance to win additional prizes by doubling the initial stake.
Pick 4
Pick 4 has multiple entry options and opportunities to win. Participants can stake either $0.50 or $1.00.
Players must choose four numbers from 0 to 9, and because each number is chosen independently, the same number can be chosen repeatedly if desired. Participants then choose whether to bet on matching their numbers in order, in any order, or whether to split a $1.00 stake equally between both options.
There is also the option to choose a Combo entry, for a ticket with every possible combination of the four player-chosen numbers.
Players can also add a Fireball option to their ticket, for the chance to win additional prizes by doubling the initial stake.
Powerball
Powerball is a world-famous lottery renowned for its long odds and often lucrative jackpots.
Powerball tickets cost $2.00, with players choosing five numbers between 1 and 69 plus a Powerball number between 1 and 26. Players can choose their numbers manually or go for a Quick Pick. A Power Play option is also available, costing $1.00 for the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times.
Mega Millions
Mega Millions is another world-renowned lottery that is even harder to win than Powerball, but with a very similar format.
As with Powerball, tickets cost $2.00.
Players must choose five numbers between 1 and 70 and a Mega Ball number between 1 and 25, with a Quick Pick option also being available for those wishing to play with random selections. Mega Millions has an additional Megaplier option for $1.00, for the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times.
Cash4Life
Cash4Life is a popular multi-jurisdictional game played across nine states, for a chance to win $1,000 a day (paid out as $365,000 annually) for life, or the alternative option to take home a $7 million lump sum.
Tickets cost $2.00, with players choosing five main numbers from 1 to 60 and a Cash Ball number between 1 and 4. Quick Pick is also available for those wishing to play with random selections.
Keno
This traditional Keno-style game has multiple entry options, including the opportunity to enhance the base prize.
Players must first decide on how many numbers to match from one to 10, before choosing the relevant number of selections between 1 and 80. Quick Pick is available for participants who wish to enter Keno with random selections.
Finally, players must choose their stake from $1 to $10, with this also acting as the prize multiplier.
Bank a Million
Bank a Million is a straightforward lottery game with multiple entry options. A single stake costs $2.00, with players choosing whether to enter a single line, two lines at $1.00 each, or four lines at $0.50 each. More lines signifies more winning possibilities, but note that the $1 million jackpot is only available with a $2 stake.
To enter, choose six numbers from 1 to 40 or go for a Quick Pick for random selections.
Cash 5
Cash 5 is a straightforward lottery game with the opportunity to win a range of prizes, plus optional entry into an instant-win secondary game. Cash 5 tickets cost $1.00, with the secondary game, EZ Match, costing the same.
To enter Cash 5, choose five numbers from 1 to 41 or go for a Quick Pick to play with random selections. Selecting the EZ Match option results in five additional random numbers being printed on player tickets, along with the prize values. If any of the numbers match the Cash 5 selections, players win the corresponding immediate-payout prize.
Raffle
The Virginia Lottery Raffle is a once-yearly draw that takes place on New Year’s Day.
Only 500,000 tickets are available each year, which go on sale from early November to December 31, or until all tickets are sold. Four players are guaranteed to win $1 million, while six players will win $100,000 and 500 players will win $500.
Virginia Lottery Game Schedule
The table below provides an overview of the schedule for each Virginia lottery game.
| Lottery Game | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Millions | 23:00 | 23:00 | |||||
| Powerball | 23:00 | 23:00 | 23:00 | ||||
| Cash4Life | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 | 21:00 |
| Keno | Every 4 minutes. | ||||||
| Bank a Million | 23:00 | 23:00 | |||||
| Cash 5 | 23:00 | 23:00 | 23:00 | 23:00 | 23:00 | 23:00 | 23:00 |
| Raffle | New Year’s Day only, at 14:00. | ||||||
| Pick 4 | 13:59 23:00 | 13:59 23:00 | 13:59 23:00 | 13:59 23:00 | 13:59 23:00 | 13:59 23:00 | 13:59 23:00 |
| Pick 3 | 13:59 23:00 | 13:59 23:00 | 13:59 23:00 | 13:59 23:00 | 13:59 23:00 | 13:59 23:00 | 13:59 23:00 |
Virginia Lottery Odds and Jackpots
While the Pick 3 and Pick 4 games have the most attractive odds, the best value game is arguably Cash4Life, for the chance to win $1,000 a day for life! Raffle odds are also highly attractive but, unfortunately, there is only one draw per year!
| Lottery Game | Winning Odds | Minimum Jackpot |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Millions | 1 in 302,575,350 | $40 million |
| Powerball | 1 in 292,201,338 | $40 million |
| Cash4Life | 1 in 21,846,048 | $1,000 a day for life ($7 million if players take the lump-sum option) |
| Keno | 1 in 8,911,711 | $100,000 |
| Bank a Million | 1 in 3,838,380 | $250,000 |
| Cash 5 | 1 in 749,398 | $100,000 |
| Raffle | 1 in 500,000 | $1 million |
| Pick 4 | 1 in 10,000 | $5,000 |
| Pick 3 | 1 in 1,000 | $500 |
Virginia Lottery Advance Play Options
With the exception of Raffle, all Virginia Lottery games have Advance Play options, with the number of draws that players can enter at once being highlighted in the below table.
| Lottery Game | No. of Advance Draws Players Can Enter |
|---|---|
| Keno | Up to 20 |
| Cash 5 | Up to 20 |
| Cash4Life | Up to 26 |
| Mega Millions | Up to 26 |
| Bank a Million | Up to 26 |
| Powerball | Up to 39 (in store) / Up to 156 (online) |
| Pick 4 | Up to 91 |
| Pick 3 | Up to 91 |
Virginia Lottery Subscription
While lottery subscriptions are not available for state-level games, an Auto-Renewal service is available for players entering Mega Millions, Powerball and Cash4Life via their Virginia Lottery online account.
Virginia Lottery Scratch-Offs
Known as Scratchers in Virginia, Scratch-offs have multiple prizes, with jackpots typically being proportional to the cost of the scratch-off itself. Virginia Lottery scratch-offs range inprice from $1.00 to $30, with jackpots ranging from $30 to $10 million!
Lower-priced scratch-offs typically have winning odds of around 1 in 5, with the more lucrative games having winning odds of around 1 in 3. While the odds of winning a prize may seem attractive, the odds of winning the $10 million jackpot are a shade under 1 in 3 million!
The Virginia Lottery removes scratch-offs from sale as soon as all of the top prizes have been claimed, with players then having a further six months to claim prizes.
Detailed information about scratch-offs, prize tiers, payouts and odds is available on the official Virginia Lottery website.
Virginia Lottery Tax Information
The tables below highlight taxes payable on Virginia Lottery prizes.
Virginia Lottery Taxes for U.S. citizens and residentsamount to 28% on prizes exceeding $5,000, as detailed below.
| Prize Value | Tax | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Over $5,000 | State Taxes | 4% |
| Federal Taxes | 24% |
Virginia Lottery Taxes for non-U.S. citizens or non-residentsamount to 34% on all prizes exceeding $600, as detailed below.
| Prize Value | Tax | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Over $600 | State Taxes | 4% |
| Federal Taxes | 30% |
How to Claim Virginia Lottery Payouts
There are multiple ways to claim winnings.
Prizes of $600 or lesscan be claimed:
- At any Virginia Lottery retailer
- At any Virginia Lottery customer service center
- At any Virginia Lottery prize zone
- By mail
Players should note that many lottery retailers will not always have sufficient cash available to make immediate payouts; however, retailers with inadequate cash will usually pay by check or money order instead.
Prizes exceeding $600can be claimed:
- At any Virginia Lottery customer service center
- By mail
All claims for prizes exceeding $100 must be accompanied by a Government-issued photo ID, with players also needing to submit their social security number.
All claims for prizes exceeding $600 must be accompanied by a Claim Form, valid ID and a social security card.
Resident non-US citizens who claim prizes exceeding $600, must submit their green card, a Government-issued photo ID and an official document displaying their social security number.
Non-US residents can also claim prizes exceeding $600 upon presentation of a valid Government issued photo ID from their country of residence.
How to Contact the Virginia Lottery
| Operator | Games | Official Website | Main Address | Local Tel. No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Lottery | Keno Mega Millions Powerball Bank a Million Cash4Life Cash 5 Pick 4 Pick 3 Raffle | https://www.valottery.com/ | 600 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, USA | +1 (804) 692-7000 |
Which Virginia Lottery scratch-off has the biggest jackpot?
While the value of the most lucrative Virginia Lottery scratch-offs change periodically, the biggest jackpot on offer is typically around $10 million.
Can I buy Virginia Lottery tickets online?
Yes, players can enter online via the official Virginia Lottery website, subject to setting up an account and having their identity verified first.
How much tax is paid on Virginia Lottery winnings?
Tax of either 28% or 34% is levied on Virginia Lottery winnings, depending on where players reside and their citizenship and residency status.
For U.S. citizens and residents, 28% taxis levied on all Virginia Lottery prizes of over $5,000, of which 4% is state tax and 24% is federal tax.
Non-U.S. citizens or non-residentspay 34% taxon all prizes over $600, of which 4% is state tax and 30% is federal tax.
Players who win the Bank a Million jackpot do not pay any tax, with the Virginia Lottery paying it on their behalf!
How do Virginia Lottery winners get paid?
Some Virginia lottery games provide winners with the option to receive regular payments or lump sums, while others pay out as lump sums only.
For prizes from $10 to $10,000, players have the option of receiving a check or a prepaid Visa debit card.
How long does it take to receive Virginia Lottery winnings?
All prizes claimed in personcan be paid out the same or next day, subject to verification.
Prizes exceeding $600, which are claimed by mail, are usually paid out within a month.
How is the $1,000 a day Cash4Life jackpot paid out?
Players who win the Cash4Life jackpot receive annual payments of $365,000 on February 15 for the rest of their lives, with the first payment being prorated from the date it is won, plus the option of taking home a lump sum of $7 million.
The Virginia Lottery states that payments are guaranteed for 20 years; therefore, if the winning player dies before receiving 20 payments, the remainder will go to their estate. The remaining cash can continue to be paid out annually to the heirs of the deceased, or the remaining payments can be cashed out as a lump sum.
