{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/58.1-4020.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/58.1-4020.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/58.1-4020.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/58.1-4020.html"}],"law_id":75369,"edition_id":1,"section_id":75369,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4020","catch_line":"Unclaimed prizes","history":"1987, c. 531; 1989, c. 478; 1992, c. 449; 1994, c. 49; 1996, c. 975; 2014, c. 225.","full_text":"A\n\nUnclaimed prizes for a winning ticket or share shall be retained by the Director for the person entitled thereto for 180 days after the drawing in which the prize was won in the case of a drawing prize and for 180 days after the announced end of the lottery game in the case of a prize determined in any manner other than by means of a drawing. If no claim is made for the prize within the 180 days, the Director shall deem such prize forfeited by the person entitled to claim such winnings.B\n\nAll prizes deemed forfeited pursuant to subsection A shall be paid into the Literary Fund. The Director may develop procedures, to be approved by the Auditor of Public Accounts, for estimating the cumulative total of such unclaimed prizes in any lottery game in lieu of specifically identifying unclaimed prizes where such specific identification would not be cost effective. The Director, within 60 days after the end of each 180-day retention period, shall report the total value of prizes forfeited at the end of such period to the Comptroller, who shall promptly transfer the total of such prizes to the Literary Fund. The total value of prizes forfeited during the fiscal year shall be audited by the Auditor of Public Accounts in accordance with § 58.1-4023. In the case of a prize payable over time on one or more winning tickets, if one or more winning tickets is not claimed within the 180-day redemption period, the Department shall transfer the then current monetary value of such portion of the prize remaining unclaimed to the Literary Fund in accordance with procedures approved by the State Treasurer. “Current monetary value” shall be determined by the net proceeds from the sale of that portion of jackpot securities allocated to the unclaimed winner plus the amount of the initial cash payment.C\n\nSubsection B of this section shall not apply to prizes of $25 or less resulting from any lottery game other than a lottery game in which a drawing determined the prize. The Board shall adopt regulations for the disposition of all such unclaimed prizes of $25 or less not resulting from a drawing. Such disposition shall be directed in whole or in part to either the Virginia Lottery Fund or to other forms of compensation to licensed sales agents.D\n\nFor purposes of this section, “prize” refers to a cash prize. In the case of a prize payable over time and not as a lump sum payment, “prize” means the present cash value of the prize, not the value paid over time.E\n\nIn accordance with the provisions of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940 (50 App. U.S.C.A. § 525), any person whose unclaimed prize was deemed forfeited pursuant to subsection A while he was in active military service may claim such forfeited prize by presenting his winning ticket to the Director no later than 180 days after his discharge from active military service. Within 30 days of such presentation, the Director shall verify the claim and report the verification to the Comptroller. The Comptroller shall promptly pay the verified claim first from funds available in the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund in § 3-2.00 of the general appropriations act; if such funds are insufficient, then, from any undesignated, unreserved year-end balance of the general fund. All verified claims shall be paid in accordance with the Board’s rules and regulations then in effect regarding the manner of payment of prizes to the holders of winning tickets or shares.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":270528,"text":"Unclaimed prizes for a winning ticket or share shall be retained by the Director for the person entitled thereto for 180 days after the drawing in which the prize was won in the case of a drawing prize and for 180 days after the announced end of the lottery game in the case of a prize determined in any manner other than by means of a drawing. If no claim is made for the prize within the 180 days, the Director shall deem such prize forfeited by the person entitled to claim such winnings.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":270529,"text":"All prizes deemed forfeited pursuant to subsection A shall be paid into the Literary Fund. The Director may develop procedures, to be approved by the Auditor of Public Accounts, for estimating the cumulative total of such unclaimed prizes in any lottery game in lieu of specifically identifying unclaimed prizes where such specific identification would not be cost effective. The Director, within 60 days after the end of each 180-day retention period, shall report the total value of prizes forfeited at the end of such period to the Comptroller, who shall promptly transfer the total of such prizes to the Literary Fund. The total value of prizes forfeited during the fiscal year shall be audited by the Auditor of Public Accounts in accordance with § 58.1-4023. In the case of a prize payable over time on one or more winning tickets, if one or more winning tickets is not claimed within the 180-day redemption period, the Department shall transfer the then current monetary value of such portion of the prize remaining unclaimed to the Literary Fund in accordance with procedures approved by the State Treasurer. “Current monetary value” shall be determined by the net proceeds from the sale of that portion of jackpot securities allocated to the unclaimed winner plus the amount of the initial cash payment.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":270530,"text":"Subsection B of this section shall not apply to prizes of $25 or less resulting from any lottery game other than a lottery game in which a drawing determined the prize. The Board shall adopt regulations for the disposition of all such unclaimed prizes of $25 or less not resulting from a drawing. Such disposition shall be directed in whole or in part to either the Virginia Lottery Fund or to other forms of compensation to licensed sales agents.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":270531,"text":"For purposes of this section, “prize” refers to a cash prize. In the case of a prize payable over time and not as a lump sum payment, “prize” means the present cash value of the prize, not the value paid over time.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":270532,"text":"In accordance with the provisions of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940 (50 App. U.S.C.A. § 525), any person whose unclaimed prize was deemed forfeited pursuant to subsection A while he was in active military service may claim such forfeited prize by presenting his winning ticket to the Director no later than 180 days after his discharge from active military service. Within 30 days of such presentation, the Director shall verify the claim and report the verification to the Comptroller. The Comptroller shall promptly pay the verified claim first from funds available in the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund in § 3-2.00 of the general appropriations act; if such funds are insufficient, then, from any undesignated, unreserved year-end balance of the general fund. All verified claims shall be paid in accordance with the Board’s rules and regulations then in effect regarding the manner of payment of prizes to the holders of winning tickets or shares.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13969,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers and Duties of Virginia Lottery Board; Administration of Tickets and Prizes","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13968,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:27","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:27","permalink":{"id":259077,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13969,"identifier":"1","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1","url":"\/58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13968,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Lottery Law; Sports Betting","identifier":"40","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13501,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:27","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:27","permalink":{"id":259075,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13968,"identifier":"40","token":"58.1\/IV\/40","url":"\/58.1\/IV\/40\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13501,"edition_id":1,"name":"Other Sources of State Revenue","identifier":"IV","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12703,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:05","permalink":{"id":259073,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13501,"identifier":"IV","token":"58.1\/IV","url":"\/58.1\/IV\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12703,"edition_id":1,"name":"Taxation","identifier":"58.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":251959,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12703,"identifier":"58.1","token":"58.1","url":"\/58.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":56298,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4000","catch_line":"Short title","url":"\/58.1-4000\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4000","metadata":false},{"id":66405,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4001","catch_line":"Establishment of state lottery","url":"\/58.1-4001\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4001","metadata":false},{"id":70493,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4002","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/58.1-4002\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4002","metadata":false},{"id":78216,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4003","catch_line":"Virginia Lottery established","url":"\/58.1-4003\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4003","metadata":false},{"id":59963,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4004","catch_line":"Membership of Board; appointment; terms; vacancies; removal; expenses","url":"\/58.1-4004\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4004","metadata":false},{"id":55760,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4005","catch_line":"Appointment, qualifications and salary of Director","url":"\/58.1-4005\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4005","metadata":false},{"id":75231,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4006","catch_line":"Powers of the Director","url":"\/58.1-4006\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4006","metadata":false},{"id":77989,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4006.1","catch_line":"Use of the phrase \"Virginia is for Bettors\" prohibited; civil penalty","url":"\/58.1-4006.1\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4006.1","metadata":false},{"id":74431,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4007","catch_line":"Powers of the Board","url":"\/58.1-4007\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4007","metadata":false},{"id":86024,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4007.1","catch_line":"Lottery tickets to bear telephone number for compulsive gamblers","url":"\/58.1-4007.1\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4007.1","metadata":false},{"id":62905,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4007.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/58.1-4007.2\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4007.2","metadata":false},{"id":85895,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4007.3","catch_line":"Posting of illegal gaming tip line; problem gambling helpline","url":"\/58.1-4007.3\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4007.3","metadata":false},{"id":60211,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4008","catch_line":"Employees of the Department; background investigations of employees","url":"\/58.1-4008\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4008","metadata":false},{"id":86133,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4009","catch_line":"Licensing of lottery sales agents; penalty","url":"\/58.1-4009\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4009","metadata":false},{"id":77230,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4010","catch_line":"Authority of persons licensed as lottery sales agents; annual fee","url":"\/58.1-4010\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4010","metadata":false},{"id":64463,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4011","catch_line":"Meaning of \"gross receipts.\"","url":"\/58.1-4011\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4011","metadata":false},{"id":83782,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4012","catch_line":"Suspension and revocation of licenses","url":"\/58.1-4012\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4012","metadata":false},{"id":83088,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4013","catch_line":"Right to prize not assignable; exceptions","url":"\/58.1-4013\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4013","metadata":false},{"id":55730,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4014","catch_line":"Price of tickets or shares; who may sell; penalty","url":"\/58.1-4014\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4014","metadata":false},{"id":72082,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4014.1","catch_line":"Method of payment for purchase of tickets or shares","url":"\/58.1-4014.1\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4014.1","metadata":false},{"id":72946,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4015","catch_line":"Sale of ticket or share to person under eighteen prohibited; penalty","url":"\/58.1-4015\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4015","metadata":false},{"id":85845,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4015.1","catch_line":"Voluntary exclusion program","url":"\/58.1-4015.1\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4015.1","metadata":false},{"id":78837,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4016","catch_line":"Gift to minor prohibited","url":"\/58.1-4016\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4016","metadata":false},{"id":59245,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4017","catch_line":"Alteration and forgery; presentation of counterfeit or altered ticket or share; penalty","url":"\/58.1-4017\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4017","metadata":false},{"id":57248,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4018","catch_line":"Prohibited actions; penalty","url":"\/58.1-4018\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4018","metadata":false},{"id":56776,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4018.1","catch_line":"Larceny of tickets; fraudulent notification of prizes; penalty","url":"\/58.1-4018.1\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4018.1","metadata":false},{"id":55029,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4018.2","catch_line":"Ticket discounting; civil penalties","url":"\/58.1-4018.2\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4018.2","metadata":false},{"id":60303,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4019","catch_line":"Certain persons ineligible to purchase tickets or shares or receive prizes","url":"\/58.1-4019\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4019","metadata":false},{"id":81045,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4019.1","catch_line":"License required for \"instant ticket\" games or contests","url":"\/58.1-4019.1\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4019.1","metadata":false},{"id":75369,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4020","catch_line":"Unclaimed prizes","url":"\/58.1-4020\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4020","metadata":false},{"id":62937,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4020.1","catch_line":"Voluntary assignment of lottery prizes or pledge as collateral for a loan; requirements for the assignees and lenders","url":"\/58.1-4020.1\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4020.1","metadata":false},{"id":61896,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4021","catch_line":"Deposit of moneys received by agents; performance of functions, etc., in connection with operation of lottery; compensation of agents","url":"\/58.1-4021\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4021","metadata":false},{"id":84585,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4022","catch_line":"Virginia Lottery Fund","url":"\/58.1-4022\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4022","metadata":false},{"id":77736,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4022.1","catch_line":"Lottery Proceeds Fund","url":"\/58.1-4022.1\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4022.1","metadata":false},{"id":63848,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4023","catch_line":"Post-audit of accounts and transactions of Department; post-compliance audits","url":"\/58.1-4023\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4023","metadata":false},{"id":78705,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4024","catch_line":"Employees of the Department","url":"\/58.1-4024\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4024","metadata":false},{"id":69602,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4025","catch_line":"Exemption of lottery prizes and sales of tickets from state and local taxation","url":"\/58.1-4025\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4025","metadata":false},{"id":56528,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4026","catch_line":"Set-off of debts to the Commonwealth from prizes","url":"\/58.1-4026\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4026","metadata":false},{"id":75836,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4027","catch_line":"Judicial review","url":"\/58.1-4027\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4027","metadata":false},{"id":84494,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4028","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/58.1-4028\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4028","metadata":false},{"id":78868,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4029","catch_line":"Disclosure of identity of winners by the Department","url":"\/58.1-4029\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4029","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":81045,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4019.1","catch_line":"License required for \"instant ticket\" games or contests","url":"\/58.1-4019.1\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4019.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":62937,"structure_id":13969,"section_number":"58.1-4020.1","catch_line":"Voluntary assignment of lottery prizes or pledge as collateral for a loan; requirements for the assignees and lenders","url":"\/58.1-4020.1\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4020.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/58.1-4020\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1987. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 531 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1987 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1989, chapter 478; in 1992, chapter 449; in 1994, chapter 49<\/a>; in 1996, chapter 975<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 225<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":63848,"section_number":"58.1-4023","catch_line":"Post-audit of accounts and transactions of Department; post-compliance audits","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-4023\/"}],"permalink":{"id":259195,"object_type":"law","relational_id":75369,"identifier":"58.1-4020","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4020","url":"\/58.1-4020\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/58.1-4020\/","token":"58.1\/IV\/40\/1\/58.1-4020","dublin_core":{"Title":"Unclaimed prizes","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 58.1-4020","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Unclaimed prizes<\/span> for a winning ticket or share shall be retained by the Director<\/span> for the person entitled thereto for 180 days after the drawing in which the prize<\/span> was won in the case of a drawing prize<\/span> and for 180 days after the announced end of the lottery<\/span> game<\/span> in the case of a prize<\/span> determined in any manner other than by means of a drawing. If no claim is made for the prize<\/span> within the 180 days, the Director<\/span> shall deem such prize<\/span> forfeited by the person entitled to claim such winnings. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> All prizes<\/span> deemed forfeited pursuant to subsection A shall be paid into the Literary Fund. The Director<\/span> may develop procedures, to be approved by the Auditor of Public Accounts, for estimating the cumulative total of such unclaimed prizes<\/span> in any lottery<\/span> game<\/span> in lieu of specifically identifying unclaimed prizes<\/span> where such specific identification would not be cost effective. The Director<\/span>, within 60 days after the end of each 180-day retention period, shall report the total value of prizes<\/span> forfeited at the end of such period to the Comptroller, who shall promptly transfer the total of such prizes<\/span> to the Literary Fund. The total value of prizes<\/span> forfeited during the fiscal year shall be audited by the Auditor of Public Accounts in accordance with § 58.1-4023<\/a>. In the case of a prize<\/span> payable over time on one or more winning tickets, if one or more winning tickets is not claimed within the 180-day redemption<\/span> period, the Department<\/span> shall transfer the then current monetary value of such portion of the prize<\/span> remaining unclaimed to the Literary Fund in accordance with procedures approved by the State Treasurer. “Current monetary value” shall be determined by the net proceeds from the sale of that portion of jackpot securities allocated to the unclaimed winner plus the amount of the initial cash payment. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Subsection B of this section shall not apply to prizes<\/span> of $25 or less resulting from any lottery<\/span> game<\/span> other than a lottery<\/span> game<\/span> in which a drawing determined the prize<\/span>. The Board<\/span> shall adopt regulations for the disposition<\/span> of all such unclaimed prizes<\/span> of $25 or less not resulting from a drawing. Such disposition<\/span> shall be directed in whole or in part to either the Virginia Lottery<\/span> Fund or to other forms of compensation to licensed sales agents. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> For purposes of this section, “prize<\/span>” refers to a cash prize<\/span>. In the case of a prize<\/span> payable over time and not as a lump sum payment, “prize<\/span>” means the present cash value of the prize<\/span>, not the value paid over time. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> In accordance with the provisions of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940 (50 App. U.S.C.A. § 525), any person whose unclaimed prize<\/span> was deemed forfeited pursuant to subsection A while he was in active military service may claim such forfeited prize<\/span> by presenting his winning ticket to the Director<\/span> no later than 180 days after his discharge from active military service. Within 30 days of such presentation, the Director<\/span> shall verify the claim and report the verification to the Comptroller. The Comptroller shall promptly pay the verified claim first from funds available in the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund in § 3-2.00 of the general appropriations act; if such funds are insufficient, then, from any undesignated, unreserved year-end balance of the general fund. All verified claims shall be paid in accordance with the Board<\/span>’s rules and regulations then in effect regarding the manner of payment of prizes<\/span> to the holders of winning tickets or shares. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nUNCLAIMED PRIZES (\u00a7 58.1-4020)\n\nA. Unclaimed prizes for a winning ticket or share shall be retained by the\nDirector for the person entitled thereto for 180 days after the drawing in which\nthe prize was won in the case of a drawing prize and for 180 days after the\nannounced end of the lottery game in the case of a prize determined in any\nmanner other than by means of a drawing. If no claim is made for the prize\nwithin the 180 days, the Director shall deem such prize forfeited by the person\nentitled to claim such winnings.\n\nB. All prizes deemed forfeited pursuant to subsection A shall be paid into the\nLiterary Fund. The Director may develop procedures, to be approved by the\nAuditor of Public Accounts, for estimating the cumulative total of such\nunclaimed prizes in any lottery game in lieu of specifically identifying\nunclaimed prizes where such specific identification would not be cost effective.\nThe Director, within 60 days after the end of each 180-day retention period,\nshall report the total value of prizes forfeited at the end of such period to\nthe Comptroller, who shall promptly transfer the total of such prizes to the\nLiterary Fund. The total value of prizes forfeited during the fiscal year shall\nbe audited by the Auditor of Public Accounts in accordance with §\n58.1-4023. In the case of a prize payable over time on one or more winning\ntickets, if one or more winning tickets is not claimed within the 180-day\nredemption period, the Department shall transfer the then current monetary value\nof such portion of the prize remaining unclaimed to the Literary Fund in\naccordance with procedures approved by the State Treasurer. “Current\nmonetary value” shall be determined by the net proceeds from the sale of\nthat portion of jackpot securities allocated to the unclaimed winner plus the\namount of the initial cash payment.\n\nC. Subsection B of this section shall not apply to prizes of $25 or less\nresulting from any lottery game other than a lottery game in which a drawing\ndetermined the prize. The Board shall adopt regulations for the disposition of\nall such unclaimed prizes of $25 or less not resulting from a drawing. Such\ndisposition shall be directed in whole or in part to either the Virginia Lottery\nFund or to other forms of compensation to licensed sales agents.\n\nD. For purposes of this section, “prize” refers to a cash prize. In\nthe case of a prize payable over time and not as a lump sum payment,\n“prize” means the present cash value of the prize, not the value\npaid over time.\n\nE. In accordance with the provisions of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’\nCivil Relief Act of 1940 (50 App. U.S.C.A. § 525), any person whose\nunclaimed prize was deemed forfeited pursuant to subsection A while he was in\nactive military service may claim such forfeited prize by presenting his winning\nticket to the Director no later than 180 days after his discharge from active\nmilitary service. Within 30 days of such presentation, the Director shall verify\nthe claim and report the verification to the Comptroller. The Comptroller shall\npromptly pay the verified claim first from funds available in the Unclaimed\nProperty Trust Fund in § 3-2.00 of the general appropriations act; if such\nfunds are insufficient, then, from any undesignated, unreserved year-end balance\nof the general fund. All verified claims shall be paid in accordance with the\nBoard’s rules and regulations then in effect regarding the manner of\npayment of prizes to the holders of winning tickets or shares.\n\nHISTORY: 1987, c. 531; 1989, c. 478; 1992, c. 449; 1994, c. 49; 1996, c. 975;\n2014, c. 225.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}