During the 2026 fiscal year, which concluded on June 30, the Virginia Lottery achieved its highest ticket sales ever.
On Monday, August 10, the Virginia Lottery presented a check for $914 million to Governor Abigail Spanberger (D), earmarked for K-12 public education.
“This funding will directly support public education and positively impact our children and classrooms. It is essential as we further invest in Virginia’s educational system, shaping the future of our state,” Spanberger stated.
Established through a state ballot initiative in 1987, the Virginia Lottery has consistently channeled its earnings into public education. Over its lifetime, the lottery has contributed in excess of $18 billion to Virginia’s schools.
Unprecedented Sales Lead to Historic Payouts
In FY26, the Virginia Lottery reported record-breaking sales, with players spending $6.36 billion on tickets. This milestone marks the first occasion where annual sales exceeded $6 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of over 10%, or approximately $588 million.
Although ticket sales reached new heights, net profits were also impressive, with players winning over $5 billion for the first time. However, increased operational costs of $248.3 million impacted total net revenues, which officially stood at $914.4 million.
The $914 million check given to Spanberger reflects that “not all proceeds earned in a fiscal year are appropriated in that year,” according to lottery officials.
This $914 million profit represents Virginia Lottery’s second-highest earnings recorded, just behind the $934.1 million noted in 2024.
Virginia is among only nine states, along with Washington, D.C., that permit instant online lottery games. The digital lottery offerings, including instant games and online ticket sales for traditional draws, contributed $4 billion to the FY26 sales total.
In response to the pandemic in 2020, Virginia lawmakers expanded lottery activities to include interactive platforms. This strategic move resulted in sales skyrocketing from $2.14 billion in 2020 to over $3.2 billion in 2021.
Lottery Thriving Amid Rising Competition
Just under ten years ago, the Virginia Lottery was virtually the sole provider of legal gambling options in the state. Until 2018, the lottery and parimutuel horse racing bets were the only allowable gaming activities in Virginia.
That scenario changed in April 2018, when legislators authorized slot-like historical horse racing (HHR) machines to bolster the declining horse racing scene. In 2020, the state further diversified its gaming landscape to include land-based casinos and online sports betting.
Despite the influx of competition, the Virginia Lottery’s FY26 performance indicates it is well-equipped to endure in the competitive gaming environment for the foreseeable future.