Draw games have been popular in America for decades. What started as state-run numbers games has grown into a network of multi-state jackpots that pool ticket sales across the country – building prize pools that no single state could generate alone. For West Virginia players, that evolution means access to some of the biggest draw games in the country alongside state-exclusive options closer to home.
It’s also worth knowing the West Virginia Lottery regularly runs promotions tied to draw game play. Any active WV lottery promo code opportunities, second chance drawings, and seasonal offers can be found through the iPLAY platform as well as with PlayON, the Lottery’s free loyalty program.
How Multi-State Draw Games Came to Be
The shift from state-level to multi-state games was driven by one straightforward goal: larger jackpots. When states agreed to pool ticket sales, jackpots could grow faster and reach much higher figures than any single state’s player base could sustain. MEGA MILLIONS® is a clear example of that progression. It launched in 1996 as The Big Game in just six states. Today, it operates in 45 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
POWERBALL© followed a similar path, eventually adding a third weekly drawing – on Mondays – to give players another opportunity each week. That’s now three drawings every week, on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 PM ET, with a jackpot that starts at $20 million and rolls over if no one wins.
What Changed With Mega Millions® in 2025?
MEGA MILLIONS® updated its rules in April 2025. The ticket price moved to $5 per play, a multiplier of up to 10x is now built into that price rather than being an optional add-on, and the jackpot starts higher and grows faster. There are still nine ways to win, and the “Just the Jackpot” option – two quick pick plays for $3 – remains available for those only interested in the top prize.
Lotto America©: the Smaller-Scale Multi-State Option
Not every multi-state game is built around nine-figure jackpots. LOTTO AMERICA© operates across a smaller group of states, which means its jackpot starts at $2 million and grows more modestly. You pick five numbers from one to 52 and a Star Ball from one to 10. Drawings run on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, the same schedule as POWERBALL©. The All Star Bonus multiplier is available for an extra dollar per play.
For players who find the largest jackpots too distant a prospect, LOTTO AMERICA© could be a middle ground between state games and the biggest national draws.
Daily Games: the Local Side of Draw Gaming
Before multi-state games dominated the conversation, daily numbers games were the foundation of state lottery play. Daily 3 and Daily 4 still reflect that tradition. Both draw every evening at 6:59 PM ET. No waiting until the weekend. Daily 3 uses a three-digit format (000-999) with a top exact-order payout of $500 on a $1 bet. Daily 4 adds a fourth digit (0000-9999), with a top exact-order payout of $5,000.
Cash25, West Virginia’s own state-exclusive game, follows a similar daily format with five numbers drawn from one to 25. It’s a straightforward option that keeps things close to home.
What’S New in 2026? Introducing Millionaire for Life™
The latest addition to West Virginia’s draw game lineup is Millionaire for Life™, launched February 22, 2026. It’s a new national draw game running seven days a week. Tickets are $5 per play. You pick five numbers from one to 58 and one Millionaire Ball™ from one to five. There are nine prize tiers, two annuity-based top prizes and seven fixed cash levels. The grand prize is $1,000,000 a year for life. Millionaire for Life™ is available to play in-store or online through iPLAY.