Lotto South Jackpot Reaches $21 Million

RICHMOND, Virginia – (PRESS RELEASE) -- The jackpot in the 'mini' multi- state game Lotto South has been steadily and quietly building since early December. With no ticket matching all six numbers in the Wednesday, February 9 drawing, the jackpot grows to an estimated $21 million for the Saturday, February 12, 2005 drawing. That ties the mark for the third-largest Lotto South jackpot since the game began.

The current jackpot run began after the December 4, 2004 drawing, when a couple from Strasburg, Virginia won a $4.6 million jackpot. A total of 10 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.

"The Lotto South jackpot is starting to create some buzz in and around the three Lotto South states," said Virginia Lottery Executive Director Penelope W. Kyle. "A large Lotto South jackpot means we can raise more money for Virginia's K-12 public schools."

Although there was no jackpot winner in Wednesday's drawing, 34 tickets matched five of the six numbers to each win $1,078; 1,905 tickets matched four numbers to each win $75; and 36,424 tickets matched three numbers to each win $4. All Lotto South prizes are pari-mutuel.

Lotto South is played in Virginia, Georgia and Kentucky, with drawings at 11:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Its record-high jackpot was $26 million.

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.