Lotto South Jackpot Grow to $25 Million

Don't look now, but the Lotto South jackpot is approaching record levels! It has been steadily and quietly building since mid-September, and has now grown to an estimated $25 million for the Saturday, December 24, 2005 drawing. That is the second-largest Lotto South jackpot since the game began.

"A large Lotto South jackpot means we can raise more money for Virginia's K-12 public schools," said Virginia Lottery Interim Executive Director Donna M. VanCleave.

The current jackpot run began after the September 17, 2005 drawing, in which a $5 million jackpot was won by ticket in Lake City, Georgia. The record largest Lotto South jackpot was $26 million, which was set on January 5, 2002.

Although there was no jackpot winner in Wednesday's drawing, 16 tickets purchased in Virginia matched five of the six numbers to each win $735; 968 tickets matched four numbers to each win $58; and 16,111 tickets matched three numbers to each win $4. All Lotto South prizes are pari-mutuel.

A total of 16 Lotto South jackpots have been won by tickets purchased in Virginia since the game began in September of 2001. The largest Lotto South jackpot won in Virginia was $20.4 million, which was claimed by Jimmy and Cindy Tran of Roanoke in March 2002. Lotto South is played in Virginia, Georgia and Kentucky, with drawings at 11:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

All Virginia Lottery profits, including those from Lotto South and Mega Millions tickets sold in Virginia, go to K-12 public school education in the Commonwealth. In fiscal year 2004, the Lottery raised more than $408 million for Virginia's public schools.