West Virginia is a state known for its mountains and adventurers. As one of the seven states where iGaming is legal, West Virginia prides itself on giving back.
With this in mind, we wanted to take a look into the history of the Lotto America WV, dating back to the first Lottery Amendment to the State Constitution on November 6th, 1984.
The First Lottery Tickets
On January 9th, 1986, the first instant tickets were sold for the Lottery in West Virginia. On that day, over 1.5 million tickets were sold.
At the time, the game was known as “West Virginia Jackpot”, and those who took their chances on a ticket had the potential to win $5,000.
When the Lottery closed, it had raised more than $53 million. West Virginia’s General Revenue Fund received $20 million of that total—the state’s primary source of funding the basic operations of government.
The Lottery’s Impact
Fast-forward to 2024, the Lottery produces sales of more than $1.1 billion per year. More than half of this goes back to the people of West Virginia.
Since the game of chance began, more than $9 billion has helped public education, senior services, the state’s tourism, and more.
iLottery in West Virginia
Now, trying your chances in West Virginia has never been easier, with the introduction of iLottery games available to play online.
To play, you’ll need to sign up for an account and choose your selected game. With the Lottery providing more than 40 types of instant games a year, such as POWERBALL©, MEGA MILLIONS®, and LOTTO AMERICA©, you’ll be able to try your chances on all these popular games online, anywhere you have internet access.
It’s never been easier to buy tickets, play games, and check your numbers online in West Virginia. You’ll even be able to see when the next draw is taking place. And even better, many of the proceeds go back into the state.
Other Online Games Available
In addition to lottery, you can play other instant games online, such as scratch-offs, draw games, and table games.
This includes games such as KENO GO and Cash25, as well as scratch-offs like Bear-Sweet-Burger-Water-Bingo, Green Seeing Dog Mountain, and Hit the Jackpot.
Online, you can filter the games based on your budget and by the name of your favorites.
Staying Safe When Trying Your Chances Online
There are so many ways to try your chances online, with so many different Lottery games and scratch-offs to choose from. This means that staying safe and setting limits is key.
On a reputable site, you can set time reminders and quickly access support if you need it.
To stay safe, some key tips include:
- Setting time limits and taking regular breaks
- Setting a budget (also known as a bankroll)
- Understanding the games you’d like to play
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It’s clear the West Virginia Lottery has made a huge impact on the state. Proceeds from games go back into the community, and the games themselves offer whole new ways to try your chances.