West Virginia Lottery Announces First Big Win Through New Digital Platform

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The recently launched iLottery platform through the West Virginia Lottery sees its first big Powerball winner with a $100,000 dollar win.

Although Mega Millions continues to lead national draws with its $740 million jackpot, a winner confirmed the $100,000 ticket through its new iLottery digital platform, or iPlay Saturday.

West Virginia Lottery Director John Myers said it’s good to know people are trying the new platform and having success using it.

“We’ve always felt that our players, especially the next generation of players, will expect us to deliver our product through a digital platform, so this is a big step in that and it shows that it’s working and people are winning ,” Myers said.

The ticket matched four numbers in addition to the Powerball in the Saturday, December 14 drawing, but it was not a subscription.

Saturday’s numbers were 12, 17, 23, 52, 67 and the Power Ball was 1. Players are encouraged to check their tickets as there are nine prize levels in total, ranging from $4 to the jackpot.

Following the launch of the new iPlay platform on October 31, Myers said it makes it a much more convenient way for people to play the lottery.

“A lot of times people will go home at night and say, oh, there’s a big jackpot, I forgot to buy my ticket, but they don’t want to go back to get a ticket,” he said. “Now they have the option to get on the app, use their mobile device or their computer and buy the ticket directly from their home.”

Players can buy draws, play e-moments and earn loyalty points for purchases through the digital platform.

Myers said the holder of the winning $100,000 dollar ticket will need to complete their online claim process through their iPlay account. However, he said the winners actually have to come to them to get the money.

“There is a process to redeem any ticket that is a win over $600 dollars,” he said. “By law, they have to come here or to one of our satellite offices and redeem that ticket.”

They must present their social security card and some form of ID.

Myers said the iPlay platform appears to be a very promising new addition to the West Virginia Lottery.

“We expect the game to continue to grow, we’ve only had that platform in place now since the end of October so we’re seeing more people sign up to use it and we’re looking forward to could deliver our product to people in the future that way.”