In recent years, Lotto sales have declined, following a nationwide trend for this product among lotteries. Traditional Lotto games operated by many state lotteries do not generate jackpots large enough to sustain player interest. Nationwide these games have been undergoing changes to revitalize player interest. This is the second year that all Virginia Lottery profits will be sent to Virginia localities to be used solely for public education needs. In 1999, Governor Jim Gilmore and the members of Virginia's General Assembly dedicated the money for new teachers, additional remedial learning programs, school construction, technology and computer upgrades and other local education priorities.
Education continues to be one of the highest priorities in Virginia.
The Virginia Lottery is the state's largest non-tax revenue source and the fourth largest overall contributor, preceded only by sales tax and personal and corporate income taxes. This change recognizes sales when tickets are sold to Lottery retailers, not when sold to individual players, as was reported prior to FY98.