The West Virginia Lottery has launched its online lottery platform, iPlay. It allows players to purchase online tickets to multistate draw games like Mega Millions, Powerball, Lotto America, but also offers an array of instant games and a customer loyalty program.
The platform went live on October 31, a year after West Virginia announced a partnership with Neo Pollard Interactive as the technology partner. The launch was initially scheduled for October 6, but that was briefly delayed as final adjustments were made. The iPlay platform lets players purchase tickets, manage their accounts, check numbers, and find lottery news and promotions. It also features the new omnichannel lottery loyalty program called “PlayOn.”
West Virginia Lottery Director John Myers shared his excitement about the launch:
“The iLottery program allows players to participate completely from the comfort of their homes and adds a level of convenience for those who like to play. We are happy to also introduce our new loyalty program and are thrilled to be the first state to unveil iLottery, a new loyalty program, and brand-new website, all concurrently. We are extremely proud of our team as they have worked diligently to prepare for this launch.”
Colin Hadden, General Manager for NeoPollard Interactive, shared Myers’ enthusiasm and expressed confidence that the iPlay will offer an “unparalleled gaming experience” for West Virginia lottery players.
What Users Can Expect from iPlay?
In addition to Mega Millions, Powerball, and Lotto America, West Virginia players have online access to several state draw games, including:
- Daily 3
- Daily 4
- Cash 25
- Cash Pop
- Keno Go Bonus
Fans of scratch-offs can play 10 eInstant games with top prizes ranging from $60,000 to $300,000. Three of them, Desert Fantasy, Big Crush Multiplier, and Prize Chickens, feature progressive jackpots.
The platform’s PlayOn loyalty program allows players to earn points toward online and in-person purchases by completing online activities. Loyalty members receive exclusive access to second-chance promotions and a variety of rewards. Once they create an iPlay account, players will automatically be enrolled in PlayOn. As it’s an omnichannel loyalty program, those who prefer buying tickets in person can still sign up for PlayOn and enjoy the benefits.
To start playing online, users must create an iPlay account. Registration is quick and requires inputting their address, phone number, and the last four digits of their Social Security Number. Once registered, users can deposit with a credit or debit card, online banking, or ACH (online bank transfer, also known as eCheck).
iLottery Expanding Faster Than iGaming
West Virginia joins a growing list of states offering online lottery in some form. Outside of West Virginia, 14 states and Washington, D.C. allow online lottery purchases:
- Connecticut (draw only)
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Maine*(draw only)
- Maryland* (draw only)
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New York* (draw only)
- North Carolina
- North Dakota (draw only)
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island (eInstants only)
- Virginia
- Washington D.C.
*by subscription only
West Virginia is the second state to launch an online lottery this year after Connecticut, which went live in July. Meanwhile, Rhode Island was the only one that launched online casinos in 2024.
In many states, online lotteries have been seen as an easier gambling expansion option than iGaming. While iGaming requires legislative approval in every state, some states can add iLottery through administrative rulemaking alone. Even in cases where legislation is necessary, many lawmakers are more inclined to approve online lottery expansion over online casinos.
Unsurprisingly, more states are choosing to launch iLottery. For example, Kansas expects to introduce iLottery in 2025. Meanwhile, while approved, Massachusetts pushed its forecast for a 2026 launch. Elsewhere, New Jersey’s Lottery approved online sales, but it’s facing opposition from some legislators. In comparison, no states have approved iGaming except Rhode Island in the last few years.