In Virginia, the closing times for lottery ticket sales vary depending on the type of lottery game.
Virginia Lottery Draw Games
For Virginia’s draw games like Pick 3, Pick 4, Cash 5, Mega Millions, and Powerball, ticket sales stop at 10:00 PM ET on the night of the drawing. The actual lottery drawings are held after ticket sales end, usually around 11:00 PM ET.
Pick 3 and Pick 4
Pick 3 and Pick 4 are Virginia’s daily lottery draw games. There is a midday drawing at 2:00 PM ET and an evening drawing at 11:00 PM ET. Tickets can be purchased up until 10:00 PM ET for the evening drawing. Tickets for the midday drawing must be purchased by 1:55 PM ET.
Cash 5
Cash 5 also has a daily midday and evening drawing in Virginia. Again, sales stop at 10:00 PM ET for the nighttime drawing. The midday sales cutoff is 1:55 PM.
Mega Millions
Mega Millions is drawn on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 PM ET. Ticket sales stop at 10:00 PM ET on Tuesday and Friday evenings in Virginia.
Powerball
Powerball also has two weekly drawings, on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:59 PM ET. Ticket sales end at 10:00 PM ET on those nights.
Virginia Scratcher Games
Scratcher tickets can be purchased in Virginia until the official game end date. Once a scratcher game ends, tickets can no longer be sold. Game end dates vary but are usually several months after a scratcher game launches.
Checking Virginia Scratcher End Dates
To see the official end date for a Virginia scratcher game, check the Virginia Lottery website. There you can view remaining prize amounts and the last date to purchase for all active scratchers.
Some scratcher games may sell out at retail locations before the official end date. But tickets will be available for purchase somewhere in Virginia until the established final day.
Online Lottery Games
The Virginia Lottery also offers online lottery games that can be played via computer, tablet, or mobile device. These include:
- Online instant win games
- Fast Play rolling jackpot games
- Draw games like Mega Millions and Powerball
For online instant win games, tickets can be purchased 24 hours a day. However, sales are occasionally disabled for technical issues and maintenance.
Online Fast Play games can also be played at any time. Jackpots continue to rise until a winner is drawn.
Online draw game ticket sales stop at 10:00 PM ET on the night of a drawing. Just like purchasing in person.
Virginia Lottery eSubscription
Virginia Lottery customers can purchase tickets for draw games like Mega Millions and Powerball through a subscription service. Here are the details on eSubscription:
- Subscriptions can be set up to automatically purchase 1-26 consecutive draws
- Tickets are purchased and stored in a virtual account until the draw occurs
- Credit card required for subscriptions
- Subscriptions can be cancelled at any time
eSubscription allows Virginia players to enter draws on a recurring basis without having to purchase tickets manually each time.
Lottery Ticket Redemption in Virginia
Winning draw game tickets can be redeemed up to 180 days after the drawing takes place in Virginia. Scratcher prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the official end date for that game.
To redeem a winning ticket in person, bring it to any Virginia Lottery office or retailer. Prizes up to $600 can be collected at any lottery retailer. Larger prizes must be claimed at a lottery customer service center.
Players also have the option to redeem draw game winnings through the mail. See the Virginia Lottery website for detailed instructions on how to claim prizes by mail.
Unclaimed Virginia Lottery Prizes
Each year, millions of dollars in Virginia Lottery prizes go unclaimed. Reasons for unclaimed prizes include:
- Players misplace or damage their winning tickets
- Players are unaware they have won
- Winning tickets are not redeemed within the 180 day deadline
The money from unclaimed prizes is transferred to Virginia’s Literary Fund, which provides low-interest loans for school construction.
Virginia Lottery Scratcher Second-Chance Promotions
Many Virginia scratcher games include second-chance promotions. This allows players to enter non-winning tickets online for a chance to win prizes through random drawings.
Players can register tickets for second-chance drawings up until the game’s official end date. Drawings are typically held 2-3 weeks after a scratcher game ends.
Prize availability may be limited for some second-chance promotions. Entries are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Buying Lottery Tickets as Gifts in Virginia
Lottery tickets can make fun gifts for adults on occasions like birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. Here are some tips for giving lottery tickets as gifts in Virginia:
- Buy scratchers or draw game tickets early to allow time for shipping if needed
- For draw games, be sure there is a draw scheduled for after the gift date
- Consider including a greeting card explaining the gift
- Send tickets by certified mail for high-value prizes
- Remind recipients to sign the back of tickets for draw games
- Keep photocopies or pictures of front and back as records
Giving lottery tickets as gifts adds some extra fun and excitement! Just be sure to coordinate timing with upcoming lottery draws and allow adequate shipping time.
Lottery Pools and Syndicates in Virginia
Lottery pools or syndicates involve groups of people combining money to purchase large numbers of tickets together. This can improve the odds of winning for participants. Some tips for lottery pools in Virginia:
- Appoint someone trustworthy to handle ticket purchases and funds
- Formalize arrangements with a written agreement
- Evenly split both contributions and any potential prizes
- Immediately photocopy and distribute tickets
- Consult an attorney if large jackpots are at stake
While lottery pools can be fun with friends or coworkers, make sure proper precautions are taken. Agreements should be made upfront on how to claim and divide prizes.
Taxes on Virginia Lottery Winnings
Lottery winners in Virginia are subject to both federal and state taxes. Here’s how it works:
- Federal tax is 25% on winnings over $5,000
- Virginia state tax is 4% on winnings over $5,000
- Lottery winnings are reported on W2-G forms
- Taxes are automatically withheld on prizes over $5,000
- Winners are responsible for taxes on smaller prizes
Consult a tax professional to ensure you meet filing and payment obligations for lottery prizes. This is especially important for jackpot winners.
Virginia Lottery Winners
Hundreds of Virginia lottery players win sizable prizes each year. Here are some recent notable winners:
| Winner | Prize | Game |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Spain | $1 million | Mega Millions |
| Gladys Bud | $4 million | Mega Millions |
| Gary Smith | $25,000/year for life | Lucky for Life |
| Howard Montgomery | $382,993 | Pick 4 |
These winners were located all across the state, showing lucky lottery tickets can strike anywhere in Virginia. Will you be next?
Impacts of Virginia Lottery Funding
Proceeds from the Virginia Lottery provide important funding for K-12 education in the state. More than $8 billion in lottery funds have gone to Virginia schools over the past three decades.
Lottery proceeds represent about 10% of total state funding for public education. So while they can’t replace other sources, lottery funds still make a significant impact.
Virginia lottery money goes toward school expenses like:
- Teacher salaries
- Instructional programs
- Classroom materials
- New building construction
- Facility maintenance
Beyond education, Virginia Lottery funds also support other state programs and services.
Lottery Proceeds for Veterans
A portion of Virginia Lottery profits go into a fund to benefit the state’s veterans. The money helps Virginia veterans access health care, long-term care, and funeral honors.
Compulsive Gambling Treatment
The Virginia Lottery also allocates part of its profits to compulsive gambling education and treatment programs. This funding supports the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling.
Responsible Gambling Tips
When playing the lottery, it’s important to keep in mind these responsible gambling tips:
- Treat lottery funds as entertainment expense, not income source
- Set a budget and stick to it
- Balance lottery with other recreational activities
- Don’t borrow money to play
- Don’t let lottery become an obsession
- Watch for signs of problem gambling
Enjoy the Virginia Lottery, but remember to always play responsibly. If gambling becomes problematic, resources are available through groups like the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling.
Conclusion
In Virginia, lottery ticket sales stop at 10:00 PM ET on the night of a draw. Scratcher sales end when a game reaches its published end date. Online lottery and subscription options allow ticket purchase around the clock.
Lottery winnings over $5,000 are subject to federal and Virginia state taxes. Unclaimed prizes help fund the state Literary Fund for education.
When playing Virginia Lottery games, set a budget and keep gambling in moderation. Remember that lottery proceeds provide meaningful funding for Virginia schools and programs.