The West Virginia Lottery offers residents in the state ways to play for big cash prizes through draw games like Mega Millions and Powerball in addition to video lottery, scratch-offs, instant-win and other games. Best of all, WV lottery profits support social services across the state.
Read on to learn more about all the games and forms of gambling the WV Lottery oversees and how to buy Powerball and MegaMillions tickets through the Jackpocket WV app.
Can you buy lottery tickets online in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Lottery was founded in 1984. Since then, it has evolved to offer various game types to WV players, including draw games, scratch-offs, and video lottery games.
Currently, WV does not offer online lottery games. You can purchase tickets and scratch cards at participating retail partners. West Virginia’s four racetracks offer video lottery terminals (VLTs), which resemble and play like slots but operate using a lottery math model.
Though there aren’t any West Virginia online lottery purchase options currently available, that may change in the future. Jackpocket, a third-party app that allows players to purchase lottery tickets online, now has its services in West Virginia.
The WV Lottery also oversees casinos, online sports betting, and online casinos in West Virginia.
How to buy lottery draw games in West Virginia
You can purchase draw games in West Virginia at participating vendors throughout the state. Most gas stations and grocery stores will offer lottery tickets, making them easy to buy when you’re already out running errands.
WV multi-state draw games
West Virginia participates in three multi-state lotteries:
- Powerball
- Mega Millions
- Lotto America
If you’re looking for the biggest possible lottery prize, these games are the ones to play. There’s no limit to how big these jackpots can grow. The way they work is simple: buy a ticket (or multiple) at a participating seller, then watch for the drawings to see if you’ve won a seven-figure cash prize.
WV multi-state lottery draw times:
- Powerball—Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights at 11 p.m. EST
- Mega Millions—Tuesday and Friday nights at 10:59 p.m. EST
- Lotto America—Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights at 10:30 p.m. EST
Powerball in WV
Powerball is one of the top multi-state lottery games available in West Virginia. The drawing typically starts at $20 million and regularly increases between drawings.
To play, you can buy a Powerball slip at a WV Lottery retailer. Each play costs $2. You’ll then select five numbers for each play, plus a Powerball number. If you wish, you can have a computer select your numbers for you, which is called a “Quick Pick.”
There’s also a POWER PLAY option, which can multiply your prize by a factor of two to ten. This costs an additional $1 per play.
After filling out your slip, the retailer will print your ticket for you. Bring it home and cross your fingers ahead of the drawing!
Playing Mega Millions in West Virginia
Mega Millions is another multi-state lottery game with a massive potential prize. Like Powerball, Mega Millions costs $2 per play, and you can submit up to five plays per slip.
When purchasing a Mega Millions ticket, you’ll fill out your slip according to the number of plays you wish to buy. For each play, you’ll select five different numbers between 1 and 70, then one number 1-25 in the MEGA BALL section. You can also opt to use these numbers for future drawings by selecting the “Multi-Draw” box for 2, 4, 8, 10, 12, or 24 consecutive drawings.
The MEGAPLIER option lets you increase your potential winnings up to five times. This costs $1 more per play. If you’d rather play for the jackpot only, you can spring for the JUST THE JACKPOT option, which gets you two plays for $3.
WV state lottery draw games
Outside of the multi-state games above, the West Virginia Lottery also offers in-state draw games.
WV in-state draw games
Tickets for these games can only be purchased in West Virginia. Other states may have their own versions of the games. Available titles include:
- CA$H POP
- Daily 3
- Daily 4
- Cash 25
- KENO GO
WV state lottery draw times:
- CA$H POP—every 15 minutes, seven days a week
- Daily 3—Monday through Saturday evenings at 6:59 p.m. EST
- Daily 4—Monday through Saturday evenings at 6:59 p.m. EST
- Cash 25—Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings at 6:59 p.m. EST
- KENO GO—new games every three minutes from approximately 5:01 a.m. to 3:46 a.m.
How to check WV lottery tickets
You can watch replays of the WV Lottery nightly drawings on the organization’s website. However, the simplest way to check whether you’ve won is by visiting the “Did I Win?” page and plugging in your numbers. This only works for Powerball, however. The Mega Millions page allows you to check historical drawings.
Some radio stations and news sites publish winning numbers too. You can also call 1-800-WVA-CASH for winning numbers. The following TV stations broadcast the nightly draw show:
- WSAZ-TV, Charleston/Huntington
- WDTV-TV, Clarksburg
- WOAY-TV, Oak Hill WVVA-TV, Bluefield
- FOX9, Wheeling, W.Va./Stubbenville, Ohio
Can you buy WV lottery tickets with a debit card?
Yes, West Virginia allows lottery purchases using a credit or debit card. The maximum single purchase for lottery tickets cannot be above $200.
Note that retailers are not required to accept credit/debit card purchases for lottery games. They may opt to stay cash-only. Retail locations allowing credit or debit card purchases for lottery tickets usually clearly display that they accept these payment methods.
West Virginia video lottery
Video lottery might seem like an unfamiliar term, but in reality the video lottery offerings in West Virginia may feel quite familiar:
- Slots
- Blackjack
- Keno
- Video Poker
These games play just like the ones you might find in Las Vegas or Atlantic City, but they’re operated by the lottery. Some VLTs might offer multiple slot titles, allowing you to choose form a library of games on a single machine.
Video lottery games are available at:
- The Casino Club at The Greenbrier
- Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
- Mardi Gras Casino & Resort
- Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort
- Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack
In 2001, West Virginia expanded its legislation to allow for VLTs in “adult locations” such as bars and fraternal organizations. The maximum number of VLTs in WV is 9,000.
West Virginia lottery scratch-offs
Scratch-off games are incredibly easy to pick up and play, making them a favorite among casual or new lottery players.
To play a WV scratch off game, the process is simple. Buy a ticket, then scratch the surface to see whether you’ve won. Tickets range from $1 to $20, and they’re available at hundreds of participating lottery retailers in West Virginia.
Generally, the more expensive the scratch-off, the higher the cash prize you have a chance to win. Top prizes can start at $5,000 and reach up to $100,000.
What other forms of gambling does the WV lottery oversee?
The WV Lottery is the governing body for all forms of gambling in the state. This means it also oversees online casinos and sports betting, plus their retail counterparts.
There are eight WV online sportsbooks:
- Caesars
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- BetRivers
- BetMGM
- PointsBet
- Betly
- Golden Nugget
WV online casinos are available legal in the Mountaineer State. Approved apps include:
- Caesars
- BetMGM
- BetRivers
- FanDuel
- DraftKings
- Golden Nugget
- PointsBet
Coming soon:
- WynnBET
- Play’n Go
- Hacksaw Gaming
In short, West Virginia has a thriving online gambling scene.
Where does WV Lottery revenue go?
Money from West Virginia Lottery sales is funneled into various community efforts. The primary organizations that benefit from lottery revenue are:
- State School Building Authority
- West Virginia Department of Education
- PROMISE Scholarship Fund
- West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services
- Division of Tourism, Division of Natural Resources, and State Park Improvement Fund
The WV Lottery has an entire page dedicated to the organizations it helps with its revenue.
Biggest West Virginia lottery winners
West Virginia has played host to its fair share of big winners! Below are five of the biggest recent lottery wins in WV. Note that the games vary widely. You always have a chance to win, no matter the game you choose.
| Amount | Game | Date | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000,000 | Powerball | 3/24/2023 | Craigsville |
| $1,000,000 | Mega Millions | 01/06/2023 | Shepherdstown |
| $300,000 | Supreme Gold | 12/09/2022 | Chapmanville |
| $200,000 | Powerball | 12/05/2022 | Charleston |
| $110,000 | Daily 4 | 11/02/2022 | Charleston |
History of the West Virginia Lottery
The West Virginia Lottery launched on November 6, 1984. The advent of the WV Lottery was a result of the Lottery Amendment, which passed easily with a 67% majority. Then-Governor Arch A, Moore, Jr. signed the amendment into law.
It took roughly two years for the Lottery to begin selling tickets. When it finally did, though, the numbers were staggering. The first day saw more than 1.5 million tickets sold at West Virginia retailers. What’s more, the only game available was “West Virginia Jackpot” with a top prize of $5,000. In 1988, the WV Lottery pulled more than $53 million, $20 million of which wen to the state’s General Fund.
The biggest developments for the WV Lottery have been sweeping expansions of the options available to players. In 2001, video lottery terminals were allowed to be placed in adult locales such as bars.
Following the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, West Virginia legalized online sportsbooks. The first operators launched in August 2019. Retail sportsbooks launched at the same time.
Online casinos followed in 2020. The West Virginia Lottery oversees all of these forms of gambling.
WV responsible gambling resources
If playing the lottery stops being just for fun, it is time to seek help. West Virginia takes responsible gambling seriously and thus provides many resources for those who are experiencing issues related to problem gambling.
There are several resources available to problem gamblers or their families in West Virginia:
- 1-800-GAMBLER — The Problem Gambling Help Network of West Virginia.
- Gamblers Anonymous — A peer support group for problem gamblers.
- Gam-Anon — A peer support group for families and friends of problem gamblers.
- Gamtalk — An online discussion forum for problem gamblers.
- Self-exclusion ban: A voluntary self-ban from WV casinos and sportsbooks.
How to request a voluntary exclusion from gambling:
- Send a written request to the director of the West Virginia Lottery.
- Once placed on the list, the director will decide whether the exclusion should be permanent.
- To be removed from the list, send a written petition to the Lottery Commission.
WV Lottery FAQ
Can you win the lottery anonymously in West Virginia?
Yes, under certain circumstances. West Virginians who win more than $1 million can choose to remain anonymous. All other winners are made public in the WV Lottery winner database.
Can I buy Mega Millions online in WV?
No. Mega Millions tickets are available for purchase at participating retail vendors throughout West Virginia.
Does WV tax lottery winnings?
Yes. West Virginia taxes winnings over $5,000. The rates are 24% for federal taxes and 6.5% for state.
Does WV have a lottery app?
Yes, the West Virginia Lottery app is available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. You can use the app to learn about games and check for winning numbers. You cannot purchase lottery tickets through the app.
How do I claim my lottery winnings in WV?
If you win, you have 180 days from the drawing date to collect. You can claim your winnings by mail. Mail your ticket to: West Virginia Lottery Claims, P.O. Box 2913, Charleston, WV 25330. Include your ticket (keep a photocopy handy for your records) plus a copy of your state ID (driver’s license will work) and your social security card (for prizes over $601).
Can I play Virginia Lottery online from another state?
No. Virginia’s lottery allows online purchases, but you must make those purchases from a device that is physically located in Virginia.