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Virginia Lottery reports record first-half sales; iLottery up 31% amid mixed retail trends
Summary
The Virginia Lottery Board reviewed preliminary, unaudited first-half results showing roughly $3.2 billion in sales (up about 18% Y/Y) and projected year-to-date profits near $485 million. The director highlighted a 31% rise in the iLottery program and Powerball jackpot-driven gains while scratcher sales slipped.
The Virginia Lottery reported a record first half on Jan. 13, with year-to-date sales above $3.2 billion and projected profits of about $485,000,000, agency staff told the Lottery Board.
Director (identified in the transcript as "Director") presented the numbers as preliminary and unaudited and credited multiple factors for the gains, noting, "We've had 2 very large Powerball jackpots ... which have resulted in Powerball numbers being up," and that the iLottery program was "up 31%" for the half-year. He said those jackpots bring new players into the system and that digital engagement helped iLottery surge.
The Director acknowledged a weakness in retail scratcher sales: "traction numbers ... are down fairly significantly, down by 8.3% from last year," and said the agency has convened a task force to shore up scratcher performance. He also praised cross-team work, citing marketing, digital product and sales coordination as contributors to growth.
Mr. Stoller, presenting the agency's finance slides, reiterated the same headline figures and emphasized that the numbers were preliminary. He said Powerball jackpot runs and iLottery growth explained the majority of the variance versus forecast and prior year, while Mega Millions activity and scratchers trailed: "Scratch has a decrease of around 8% year over year," and "Mega Millions also has a decrease of 29.7% year over year." Stoller also noted raffle sales closing Dec. 28 that will be reflected next quarter.
The board discussed sources of iLottery games and growth drivers. The Director said the Lottery works with platform provider Neopollard Interactive and aggregators that bring games, and that the agency evaluates small developers for niche offerings. "There's a lot has a lot to do with Scott Kenyon and his team," he said, crediting product selection and the field sales teams.
The board also heard a presentation on SWAM (Small, Women, and Minority-owned) procurement for fiscal 2025. The Director reported nearly $43,000,000 in SWAM spend on roughly $180,000,000 total agency spend for FY25 and said adjusted SWAM goals (reported in the packet) had been met and slightly exceeded over the stated target.
What happens next: the staff emphasized that the financials are unaudited and the full audited statements and formal transfers to the Department of Accounts will follow the close of books. The board did not take additional formal action on the numbers during the meeting.
