Lottery Leadership
John A. Myers
LOTTERY DIRECTOR
Governor Jim Justice appointed John Myers as Director of the West Virginia Lottery on September 18, 2018. Myers returns to the Lottery after having served as the Secretary of Administration for the Justice Administration since January 2017.
Prior to his appointment as Secretary of Administration, he worked at the West Virginia Lottery as the Assistant Director from 2008-2017 and served as Acting Lottery Director from 2015-2017.
Before he started his career in public service, Myers managed corporate administration for Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Buffalo, West Virginia.
A graduate of The Ohio State University with a business degree, Director Myers previously served as the chairman of the Board of Directors for the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce and as President of the Point Pleasant and Logan Lions Clubs.
Lottery Commission
In 1985, the Lottery Commission was created to assist and advise the Director to carry on a continuous study of West Virginia Lottery operations throughout the state.
In accordance with State Law, the Lottery commission is required to have seven members, which are appointed by the Governor with the approval of the senate. A lawyer, a certified public accountant, a computer expert, a marketing specialist, one member with five or more years’ experience in law enforcement, and an additional two members who represent the “public at large”.
No more than four members may be from the same political party; unless filling an unexpired appointment, members serve overlapping terms of five years and are eligible for successive appointments to the commission.
Vision Statement
Create an exceptional gaming experience by incorporating service, innovation, respect and accountability. We aim to provide outstanding customer service, continually innovate and improve our offerings, treat all stakeholders with respect and maintain accountability in all our operations. Together we strive to maximize the Lottery’s impact on the community and contribute to the State’s prosperity and well-being.
Director
John A. Myers
Assistant Director
Randy Burnside
General Counsel
June Somerville
Deputy Director - Casino Gaming, Sports Wagering, and Interactive Wagering
Kris Franko
Deputy Director - Video Lottery
Dustin Lamar
Deputy Director - Security
Steve Compston
Deputy Director - Casino Gaming and Limited Video Lottery
David Bradley
Deputy Director - Information Technologies
Jonathan O’Quinn
Administrative Assistant
Kim Lamb
Manager - Human Resources
Debbie Hughes
Deputy Director - Finance and Administration
Michelle Painter
Deputy Director - Marketing
Danielle Snidow
Compliance Officer
Annamarie Short
Deputy Director - Licensing
Elizabeth Webb
The West Virginia Lottery History
An image of a West Virginia Jackpot scratch-off game ticket.West Virginia voters approved the Lottery Amendment to the State Constitution on November 6, 1984 by a vote of 67% for the amendment. The West Virginia Legislature passed the Lottery Act in April of 1985 and it was signed into law that May by Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr.
The West Virginia Lottery began operations in 1986 with a single scratch-off game called “West Virginia Jackpot” that generated more than $53.0 million in sales.
The West Virginia Lottery registered total gross sales of over
$1.32 BILLION
for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2023 nearly $283.8 million above projections. LVL revenues were at their highest ever at $493.6 million.
West Virginia Lottery proceeds have a direct impact on the quality of life of all West Virginians. The West Virginia Legislature uses lottery proceeds to help improve public education at every level from K through 12 to higher education through support of the School Building Authority, the West Virginia Department of Education, the Higher Education Policy Commission, education improvement bonds and the PROMISE Scholarship Program
Lottery proceeds also help the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services provide nutrition programs, in-home care services and many other programs and services for West Virginia’s senior citizens. Lottery proceeds also go toward enhancing the State’s growing tourism industry and improving West Virginia’s State Parks, please visit Giving Back to West Virginia for more information.
The Lottery sells more than 40 different instant games a year, offers the popular in-state online drawing games of Keno Go, Daily 3, Daily 4, and Cash 25, offers the Multi-State Lottery games of Powerball®, Mega Millions® and Lotto America®, regulates Sports Wagering, i-Gaming, Limited Video Lottery, and regulates Video Lottery and Table Games at the state’s four racetrack casinos and the Greenbrier Resort.
The Lottery’s continued success is largely attributed to its partnerships with around 1,500 traditional and 1,200 limited video lottery retailers. These retailers employ thousands of West Virginians. Additionally, optimized products and ongoing communications have created satisfied Lottery players who continue to help us generate a significant, positive impact on West Virginia’s economy.
Fiscal Year 2023
The West Virginia Lottery registered total gross sales of over $1.32 billion for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2023, nearly $283.8 million above projections. The Lottery was able to allocate $564.2 million in proceeds to the State. LVL revenues were at their highest ever at $493.6 million.
Overall, West Virginia Lottery players, retailers, and casinos shared in a total of just over $699 million in prizes and commissions from all forms of gaming in FY2023.
Each of these gaming operations was able to provide the following in transfers: Traditional Lottery $53.5 million, Racetrack Video Lottery $230.4 million, Limited Video Lottery $246.3 million, and $17.3 million from table games.
Additionally the Historic Resort at the Greenbrier supplied $2.57 million in transfers, while sports wagering and interactive wagering were able to provide $4.5 million and $21.9 million, respectively.
Lottery proceeds leave a substantial imprint on a wide range of programs that benefit the people and communities of West Virginia.
The 2023 state budget included $564.2 million in cash transfers from the Lottery. This included $120.4 million for education, $80 million for senior services, $62.9 million for tourism, $118.2 million to the General Fund, $46.1 million towards the Infrastructure Council, with other agencies collecting $136.6 million, including $29.0 million towards the PROMISE Scholarship fund and $621.5 thousand for veterans. A total of $29.3 million in statutory transfers were paid to county and local municipalities in FY2023.
The West Virginia Lottery’s total operating costs were 3.5 percent of total sales, and this allowed the Lottery to generate a surplus in the amount of $141.1 million available for additional legislative appropriations.
Where the Money Goes
Schools and Education
More than $3.8 billion to schools and education since 1986.
West Virginia Lottery proceeds improve the educational experience of West Virginia students from pre-school through their college years. Since 1986, West Virginia has invested more $3.8 billion from Lottery proceeds into education. These proceeds have significantly improved West Virginia’s public education system by allowing for new school construction, and renovations, through the State School Building Authority. Lottery proceeds also help support Higher Education, and Community and Technical College bonds. Lottery generated dollars have placed computers and upgraded technology in classrooms across the State through the West Virginia Department of Education.
West Virginia’s high school seniors entering colleges and universities across the State benefit from lottery dollars through the PROMISE Scholarship Fund. In FY 2023, approximately $29.0 million from Limited Video Lottery Revenue was directed to help the PROMISE program reward West Virginia’s best and brightest students with the opportunity to attend an in-state college or university. Since 2002, the West Virginia Lottery has provided nearly $876 million to the PROMISE Scholarship Program and in turn given thousands of West Virginians a college education. Since 2002, 70,248 West Virginia students have received PROMISE Scholarships.
Senior Citizens
Nearly $1.6 billion to senior programs and services since 1986.
West Virginia Lottery proceeds improve the quality of life of our seniors. Since 1986, the Lottery has generated nearly $1.6 billion in proceeds that have helped the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services meet the nutritional, health, and long-term care needs of tens of thousands of West Virginia senior citizens. Lottery dollars are used to help provide more than two million meals annually at county nutrition sites and homes statewide. The funding also is used for senior centers, transportation needs, care giving, matching Medicaid funding for senior services, and to fund a property tax credit for seniors.
Donation and Sponsorship Request
Welcome to the West Virginia Lottery Request for Sponsorship or Donation Portal. Please read our Sponsorship & Donation Policy before proceeding.
If you would like to submit a request, please fill out the form below and submit for evaluation. You will be contacted within 10 business days upon receiving your request.
Rules and Regulations
Click on any of the following Policy Statements to open it in a new tab or to download it.
Procedural Rule on Hearings
St. Const Srt VI Sec 36
Rule 179-01 State Lottery Rules
Rule 179-02 Lottery Administrative Appeals Procedures
Rule 179-03 Licensees & the Americans with Disabilities Act
Rule 179-04 Limited Gaming Facility Rule
Rule 179-05 Limited Video Lottery Rule
Rule 179-06 Notice of Conduct of Meetings Rule
Rule 179-07 Lottery Interpretive Rule
Rule 179-08 Racetrack Table Games Rule
Rule 179-09 Lottery Sports Wagering Rule
Rule 179-10 Interactive Wagering Rule
MICS – Table Games
MICS – Sports and iGaming
West Virginia Lottery Policy Statement