Public Referendums:
Lottery Act - 1986 - Statewide election, passed by 67 percent.
Video Lottery at Racetracks:
1994 Local Referendum -- Tri State Greyhound, Kanawha County - 1994 passed by 51 percent
Wheeling Downs, Ohio County - 1994 passed by 71 percent
Mountaineer Park, Hancok County - 1994 passed by 80 percent
Charles Town Races, Jefferson County - failed on first election, passed by 70 percent in 1996.

Lottery To Celebrate 23rd Anniversary
CHARLESTON, West Virginia (December 29, 2008) -- The West Virginia Lottery plans to celebrate its 23rd anniversary on Jan. 9 with cumulative sales of more than $13 billion since the first ticket was sold in 1986, according to Lottery Director John Musgrave...............Subscribers

West Virginia Lottery Faces Fewer Sales, More Competition
CHARLESTON, West Virginia (December 19, 2008) - West Virginia Lottery officials are anticipating a drop in revenue in the next budget year as sales decline and competition from other states rises...............Subscribers

Health-Care Advocates Urge Lottery Commission to Use ADA Requirement to Ban Smoking at All Racetracks and Video Gaming Parlors
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (November 23, 2008) -- Four health-care advocates - state Bureau of Public Health Commissioner Chris Curtis, Robert H. Anderson and Valerie Frey-McClung of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center at West Virginia University, and Bruce Adkins, director of the Division of Tobacco Prevention for the Bureau of Public Health – have reportedly all urged the WV Lottery Commission to use the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirement to ban smoking at all racetracks and video gaming parlors...............Subscribers

ADA Rule for Lottery Venues Takes Effect in January
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (November 23, 2008) -- The 1,614 bars, clubs and fraternal organizations around the state that operate limited video lottery machines will have to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) beginning next year...............Subscribers

West Virginia Lottery Revenues Down More Than 10 pct
CHARLESTON, West Virginia (October 31, 2008) - An ailing economy fueled lower West Virginia Lottery revenues, as sales fell by $14 million, or 10.5 percent, from August to September..........Subscribers

State Lottery Revenues Remain Steady
CHARLESTON, West Virginia (October 30, 2008) -- WV State Lottery revenues remained steady through the first three months of the fiscal year.............Subscribers

Lottery Revenues Held Steady Through August, Despite Negative Economic News Nationally
CHARLESTON, West Virginia (October 1, 2008) – Lottery Director John Musgrave reportedly said Tuesday that overall Lottery revenues held steady through August, despite negative economic news nationally.............Subscribers

Governor Congratulates John Musgrave for His Election as President of NASPL
CHARLESTON, West Virginia (October 1, 2008) – Governor Joe Manchin, via teleconference, congratulated West Virginia Lottery Director John Musgrave for his election as president of the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries.
The association represents 51 state and provincial lotteries in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Musgrave was elected Friday at the association's annual conference in Philadelphia.
"We appreciate the job you're doing, and the whole Lottery Commission is doing," Manchin said. "It goes without saying we are very blessed to have you all."

Declining Video Lottery Sales Linked to Smoking Ban
KANAWHA COUNTY, West Virginia (September 9, 2008) -- Video lottery machines are open around the clock, but some gambling parlor owners say the machines are staying cold. They claim the extended smoking ban is to blame for their declining sales.................Subscribers

WV Lottery Director Looks To Level Playing Field; Addresses VLT Competition
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (August 27, 2008) -- Members of the West Virginia Lottery Commission will meet next week with members of the Maryland Lottery Commission to discuss ongoing efforts in that state to have video lottery.............Subscribers

$7.5 Million "Deal Or No Deal" Game; Two Drawings; Trips And Up To $2.5 Million In Additional Prizes
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (August 14, 2008) -- Lottery Director John Musgrave today announced a Deal Or No Deal* instant game offering $7.5 million in cash prizes, including eight $100,000 prizes and 120 $10,000 prizes. Deal Or No Deal also offers players..............Subscribers

Fitch Rates School Bldg Auth of West Virginia $100MM Excess Lottery Revs 'A'
NEW YORK, USA (Aug 1, 2008) -- Fitch Ratings assigns an 'A' rating to approximately $100 million School Building Authority of West Virginia (authority) excess lottery revenue bonds, series 2008....................Subscribers

Man Sues Governor, Lottery Commission After Being Denied Gaming License
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (July 31, 2008) – Theodore Tsoras of Wheeling is suing Governor Joe Manchin, West Virginia Lottery Commission Director John Musgrave and West Virginia Lottery Commission (WVLC) members Michael Adams, Kenneth Greear, Bill Clayton, David McCormick and Don Lucci for....................Subscribers

West Virginia Lottery Records Slight Decrease in Overall Sales
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (July 9, 2008) -- Estimated yearend revenue numbers from the West Virginia Lottery show a slight decrease in overall sales.....................Subscribers

Commission Would Consolidate Three West Virginia Gambling Agencies
CHARLESTON, West Virginia (June 23, 2008) -- West Virginia’s revenue secretary is reported as saying that it makes sense to consolidate the three state agencies that regulate legalized gambling.................Subscribers

West Virginia Lottery Sales Up From This Time Last Year
CLARKSBURG, West Virginia (June 24, 2008) -- West Virginia's lottery sales are up more than two (2%) percent compared to this time last year, despite high gasoline prices.................Subscribers

Penn National Gaming Secures Transaction Approval from the West Virginia Lottery Commission
WYOMISSING, Pa., (March 20, 2008) -- Penn National Gaming, Inc. (PENN: Nasdaq) (the "Company") today announced it received approval from the West Virginia Lottery Commission for the pending merger of the Company............Subscribers

Lottery Sales Top $1 Billion for 6th Year
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (March 21, 2008) -- The West Virginia Lottery's sales through February were down by about $32 million compared to the same period in the 2006-2007 fiscal year.................Subscribers

Lottery to Cut Ties With Problem Gamblers Network
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (March 11, 2008) – West Virginia Lawmakers have sent to Governor  Manchin legislation that cuts the Lottery Commission's involvement with the helpline and prohibits the agency from putting its logo onto advertising directed at problem gamblers..............Subscribers

Bill Would End Lottery Logo and Influence in Gambling Treatment
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (February 14, 2008) -- A House bill would force the Lottery Commission to formally remove its Logo on advertising targeting problem gamblers in West Virginia and the operation of the program itself.................Subscribers

West Virginia Lottery Chairman John Bowling Dies at 77
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (February 10, 2008) -- The chairman of the state Lottery Commission, John Bowling, died at home Saturday at age 77.............Subscribers

Governor Appoints New Lottery Commissioner
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (February 6, 2008) -- Donald C. Lucci, CIMA, Director – Investments, Citi Institutional Consulting of Charleston, has been appointed by Governor Joe Manchin to the seven-member West Virginia Lottery Commission...................Read the full story at: Vol.42 No.6

Record Prizes Paid Daily4 Players
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (January 14, 2008) -- West Virginia Lottery Daily4 players who bet on the number 1234 Saturday (Jan. 12) won a record 2,533.6 percent more than they spent playing the game.................Subscribers

Lottery Defends Logo in Help Ads
Audit Says Stop Practice, Could Be Conflict Of Interest
CHARLESTON, West Virginia (January 8, 2008) -- A legislative audit released on Monday is reported to have concluded that having the West Virginia Lottery logo.................Subscribers

Audit Alleges Lottery Interference
CHARLESTON, West Virginia (January 7, 2008) -- The State Lottery Commission disagrees with the findings of a legislative audit that says it interfered with the program for problem gamblers..............Subscribers

WV Lottery, 22nd Anniversary, $11.5 Billion In Sales
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (December 28, 2007) -- The West Virginia Lottery plans to celebrate its 22nd anniversary on Jan. 9 with cumulative sales of more than $11.5 billion since the first ticket was sold............Read the full story at: Vol.41 No.14

Concerns Raised Over Lottery Commission Rule Changes
PARKERSBURG, West Virginia, USA (December 14, 2007) -- Local and state officials are concerned proposed changes in state Lottery Commission rules might give the lottery commission too much free rein.......Subscribers

Appeals Court Orders Stay of Lower Court Ruling Overturning State’s Ban on VLT Advertising
CHARLESTON, West Virginia (November 29, 2007) – During Wednesday’s WV Lottery Commission meeting, Lottery general counsel John Melton said the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals has agreed to hear the Lottery’s appeal of a lower court ruling overturning the state’s ban..........Subscribers

Lottery Commission Researching Banking Machine
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (November 28, 2007) -- The state Lottery Commission has instructed its attorney to research a banking machine to see if it really is like an ATM..............Read the full story at: Vol.41 No.10

Appeals Court Freezes Ruling in Video Lottery Ad Case
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (November 20, 2007) -- A federal judge's ruling that struck down West Virginia's limitations on video lottery advertising will remain on hold pending the state's appeal................Subscribers

Lottery Gives Permission for Northern Tracks To Offer Poker
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (October 18, 2007) -- WV Lottery Director John Musgrave announced today that after two days of practice runs and intense evaluation................Read the full story at: Vol.41 No.5

Lottery Commission Approves 24/7 Operations at Tracks
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (October 11, 2007) -- The state Lottery Commission has unanimously approved round-the-clock operation of table games at West Virginia's racetracks............Subscribers

Lottery Commission to Vote on Allowing 24/7 Operations at Tracks
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (October 10, 2007) -- Round-the-clock poker, blackjack and other table games could soon be offered at the three West Virginia racetracks allowed to offer such games...............Subscribers

Governor Stops Lottery Proposal, Wants Headquarters Near the Capitol
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (October 5, 2007) – Governor Joe Manchin reportedly said Thursday that it was his order that halted the purchase of a Kanawha City site for a new WV Lottery Commission headquarters..............Subscribers

Lottery Seeks Stay of Gambling Advertising Ruling
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (October 5, 2007) -- The state Lottery Commission asked a federal judge today to stay a ruling that removes limits on the words limited video lottery retailers can use in advertising.................Subscribers

Huge Powerball Jackpot Boosts Lottery Sales
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (September 27, 2007) --   For the first two months of the 2007-08 fiscal year, West Virginia Lottery revenues are down ............Subscribers

Lottery Regulators Will Be Ready By November 1
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (September 27, 2007) --  At Wednesday’s Lottery Commission meeting Lottery Director John Musgrave said the Lottery is on track to allow the start of card games.........Subscribers

Lottery Revenue Up
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (September 27, 2007) -- At Wednesday’s Lottery Commission meeting Lottery Director John Musgrave said the Lottery's revenue from online sales jumped by 52 percent in August thanks to.........Subscribers

New Plans for Lottery Headquarters
WEST VIRGINA, USA (September 19, 2007) -- The West Virginia State Lottery will not build its new headquarters in Kanawha City, but instead plans are now to look at property on the state capitol campus........Subscribers

Lawsuit Set to Block Move of Lottery Offices
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (August 30, 2007) -- Lottery Director John Musgrave says it's possible someone will take legal action to block the Lottery Commission's proposed plans ..........Subscribers

State Nears Deal on New Lottery HQ
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (August 16, 2007) -- The state is considering buying and renovating a Kanawha City warehouse in a move that would relocate the state Lottery Commission..........Subscribers

Lottery Suspends Instant Game
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (August 7, 2007) -- The West Virginia Lottery plans to suspend ‘The Udder One,’ a Scientific Games instant game introduced Monday, August 6, according to Lottery Director John Musgrave.....................Subscribers

Daily Three Players Clean House
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (July 31, 2007) -- The West Virginia Lottery’s Daily3 players who bet on the number 888 last night (July 30) won 294 percent more than they spent playing the game............Subscribers

Lottery Not Ready To Regulate Games, Needs More Time to Hire and Train Staff
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (July 26, 2007) – West Virginia Lottery Director John Musgrave said it will take four to six months to hire and train new employees to oversee table games.........Subscribers

Lottery Announce $1.5 Million Drawing
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (July 5, 2007) -- The West Virginia Lottery will introduce ‘Deal Or No Deal’ on July 9, allowing players the chance to win $1.5 million in a drawing scheduled for December 6..........Subscribers

Senior Citizens Receive $3 Million From First Table Games Licenses
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (July 3, 2007) -- Lottery Director John Musgrave today presented a $3 million check to Gov. Joe Manchin and Commissioner of WV Bureau of Senior Services Sandra Vanin for in-home health care for West Virginia seniors........Read the full story at: Vol.40 No.2

Lottery Commission Amends a Requirement in Table Games Rules
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (June 27, 2007) -- On Tuesday, the West Virginia Lottery Commission approved a request by Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center to amend a requirement in the table games rules to require betting chips to contain.........Subscribers

Lottery Expects Record Sales
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (June 27, 2007) -- The West Virginia Lottery expects to end the fiscal year June 30 with record sales of $1.56 billion, according to Lottery Director John Musgrave........Read the full story at: Vol.40 No.1

Lottery Submits Rules for Table Games
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (June 13, 2007) -- The state Lottery Commission has filed its emergency rules that will regulate table games at the racetracks where the residents approve the table games referendum.......Subscribers

Cash25 Players Slam Lottery; Record Wins
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (June 12, 2007) -- A month-long dry spell of top $25,000 winners in the West Virginia Lottery’s Cash25 game has been broken by record-setting wins, according to Lottery Director John Musgrave...........Subscribers

Lottery Receives 10th CAFR
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (June 6, 2007) -- For the 10th consecutive year, the West Virginia Lottery is the recipient of the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting awarded by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.........Read the full story at: Vol.39 No.11

Lottery Director Says He'll Seek Probe of Hot Line Allegations
CHARLESTON, WestVirginia, USA (June 5, 2007) -- State Lottery Director John Musgrave says he'll ask legislative leaders for an investigation into allegations that the Lottery tried to interfere with the state's problem gamblers help network.........Subscribers

West Virginia Bucking Lottery Privatization Trend
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (May 10, 2007) -- While a number of states are considering privatizing their lotteries, West Virginia Lottery Director John Musgrave said nobody in the Mountain State has ever officially discussed the possibility...........Subscribers

State Supreme Court Refuses To Expedite Lottery Table Games Case
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (May 10, 2007) -- The state Supreme Court has denied a motion to speed up a case seeking to block table games at West Virginia's four racetracks........Subscribers

Group Files Lawsuit Against Lottery Commission Over Table Games
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (May 5, 2007) -- The West Virginia Family Foundation filed a lawsuit on Friday seeking to block the state's four racetracks from adding poker, blackjack and other table games.........Subscribers

Lottery Planning For Table Games
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (April 27, 2007) -- If voters approve table games at West Virginia's four racetracks, the state Lottery plans to station workers at the tracks to handle gamblers' complaints.........Subscribers

New Lottery Games Fail to Inspire Players
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (April 28, 2007) -- Sales of West Virginia scratch-off games are down about $7 million compared to this time in 2006 and new games, some introduced in early March, have reportedly not halted the downward turn.........Subscribers

Lottery Commission Working on Table Games Regulations
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (April 11, 2007) -- The state Lottery Commission is getting ready for the possibility of having to regulate casino-style table games.......Subscribers

Downturn in Lottery Revenue Blamed on Bad Weather
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (March 23, 2007) -- West Virginia Lottery officials have reportedly blamed an unusually cold and snowy February for a rare downturn in revenue for the month........Subscribers

Lottery Commission Ready To Regulate Table Games
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (January 24, 2007) -- Supporters reportedly plan to propose a 12 percent tax on gross proceeds in the racetrack table games bill slated to be introduced next week..........Subscribers

Legendary Game Show Host to be MC at Lottery's 20th Anniversary Celebration
CHARLESTON, West Virginia (November 29, 2006) – On Tuesday WV Lottery Director John Musgrave said the Lottery will host a 20th anniversary extravaganza on December 6 at the Cultural Center, featuring a competition of second-chance drawing winners, culminating with the awarding of a $2 million grand prize...............................Subscribers

Acting Revenue Secretary Completes Commitment, Returning to Lottery
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (November 22, 2006) -- Gov. Joe Manchin announced today that upon completing his promised tenure of service as leader of the Department of Revenue, Acting Secretary John Musgrave is returning full-time to his original responsibilities as Director of the West Virginia Lottery Commission................................Read the full story at: Vol.37 No.8

Player Wins $2.1 Million Ca$hola Jackpot
CHESTER,West Virginia, USA (October 6, 2006) --It was a lucky night for Walter Aho when he hit a jackpot of over $2 million at Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort in Chester.........................Subscribers

Lottery’s August Sales Top $130 Million, But Down 5% From July
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (September 28, 2006) – The West Virginia Lottery reported another strong sales month, sales topped $130 million in August......................Subscribers

Lottery Kicks Off New Budget Year With Record July Sales
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (August 29, 2006) -- Following a record $1.52 billion sales for 2005-06, the West Virginia State Lottery is reported to have kicked off the new budget year with record sales for the month of July................................Subscribers

Lottery Prepares to Defend Gaming Machine Revenue
CHARLESTON, West Virginia (August 2, 2006) – During a recent commission meeting the state Lottery Director John Musgrave is reported by the local media as saying...............Subscribers

First Ever Multi-State Video Lottery Game Up and Running
DES MOINES, Iowa, USA (July 25, 2006) -- The lotteries of Delaware, Rhode Island, and West Virginia have begun operation of America’s first multi-state video lottery game..................................Subscribers

State Lottery Sales Pass $1.5 Billion
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (July 25, 2006) -- The West Virginia Lottery is reported to have announced that it has shattered a record this year, topping $1.5 billion in sales............................Subscribers

State Lottery Sets Sales Record
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (June 26, 2006) -- The West Virginia Lottery expects a record $1.5 billion in sales by the end of the fiscal year June 30, according to..................................Read the full story at: Vol.35 No.13

Lottery Puts Forward Plan for Relocation
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (June 08, 2006) -- West Virginia Lottery officials have reportedly put forward a plan that would relocate the agency to a tower at the intersection of ...............................Subscribers

West Virginia Lottery Could Break Sales Record
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (April 29, 2006) -- For the fourth consecutive year, West Virginia Lottery sales have topped the ..........................Subscribers

Governor Names New Lottery Board Member
VIRGINIA, USA (April 10, 2006) -- Governor Tim Kaine has reportedly named Jim Wofford as the newest member on the four-member Virginia Lottery board of directors..............................Read the full story at: Vol.35 No.2

Thousands Buy $20 Scratch-off Tickets for Lottery Anniversary
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (March 1, 2006) -- More than 20,000 players a week are reportedly investing $20 to take a chance at rubbing off the winning numbers on the ...........................Subscribers

Senator Criticizes Lottery Ads
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (February 23, 2006) – A Senator has reportedly told Lottery Commission appointee David McCormick that he finds some television .........................Subscribers

Red Ball Bonus Increases Prizes for Players
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (January 31, 2006) -- The Red Ball has bounced back into the West Virginia Lottery's Daily3 and Daily4 games. Lottery Director John Musgrave said the popular promotion is part of ...........................Subscribers

Plans Underway for New State Lottery Headquarters
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (January 26, 2006) -- Plans are reportedly progressing well for a new lottery headquarters to replace the organisation’s two existing ..........................Subscribers

New Lottery Headquarters Awaits Governor’s Approval
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (January 10, 2006) -- Construction of an office tower at the Capitol Complex is reportedly awaiting the approval of Governor Joe Manchin............................Subscribers

West Virginia Lottery Celebrates 20th Anniversary
WEST VIRGINIA, USA (January 6, 2006) -- Kicking off a year-long 20th anniversary celebration including more than $22 million in prizes, West Virginia Lottery Director John Musgrave today announced the introduction of .............................Read the full story at: Vol.34 No.2

Lottery Receives Permits to Add Temporary Accommodation
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, USA (January 5, 2006) -- The state Lottery Commission will expand its offices on MacCorkle Avenue after reportedly receiving two special permits from the Municipal Planning Commission..................................Subscribers