Virginia Lottery drawings moving from TV to Internet

Posted to: News Virginia
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By Cindy Clayton
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 11, 2010

Beginning today, Virginia Lottery drawings will move to the Internet.

The daily draw shows and twice-a-week Win For Life drawings that were held on TV now will be available online only, according to the lottery’s Web site. The final TV drawing was held on Saturday.

The Mega Millions drawings will continue to be televised on Tuesdays and Fridays, the notice says.

The move is a cost-saving measure, according to the site. The lottery had paid TV stations to air the drawings.

Lottery officials wrote in the notice that large numbers of people already turn to the Internet and mobile devices to check winning numbers. The lottery’s site already makes the drawings available using video.

Winning numbers also are available by phone at (804) 662-5825 or at lottery retailers.

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When I lived in Georgia, I

Submitted by tinydancer75 on Mon, 01/11/2010 at 1:26 pm.

When I lived in Georgia, I recall reading an article about how the GA Lottery, instead of paying for the drawings to be aired, made the TV stations pay the state to carry the drawings.

Thank Goodness...

Submitted by rcamp on Mon, 01/11/2010 at 12:47 pm.

Thank goodness we won't have to see this mindless drivel on television anymore.

Didn't realize

Submitted by Yellowspine on Mon, 01/11/2010 at 11:15 am.

That the state paid to have the drawings televised. I always assumed the News/TV Stations just carried them as part of the news.

I would think they would want to keep them regardless of getting paid as a rating draw.

Hondamom

Submitted by hondamom on Mon, 01/11/2010 at 9:02 am.

IMHO, that's really crass. There are a lot of older people who do not have easy access to the internet, who enjoy taking the chance of winning, and seeing the answer on TV during the day. But, then, it's all about the money, and the people who lose their jobs from ending the TV production probably didn't need those jobs anyway.

I agree! Hopefully, for

Submitted by tinydancer75 on Mon, 01/11/2010 at 1:27 pm.

I agree! Hopefully, for their sake, the TV stations will still continue to mention the numbers during the news, like they do now.

I seriously doubt anyone is

Submitted by kb1800 on Mon, 01/11/2010 at 9:43 am.

I seriously doubt anyone is loosing their jobs. I dont think the Va Lottery hired the people to do the drawings just for that job. They only work a couple minutes at a time. Im sure they hold other positions within the agency. Im sure its to cut cost by not having to pay the TV stations to broadcast it.