VALottery Extra Chance: How to Enter & Win

Tossing a losing scratcher into the trash is one of the most common mistakes lottery players make in Virginia. Through the official valottery extra chance program (branded by the state lottery as eXTRA Chances), those non-winning tickets give you an automatic second shot at substantial cash prizes and exclusive giveaways. Instead of walking away empty-handed, you can submit your eligible tickets into scheduled second-chance drawings throughout the year.

Whether you are a casual player or buy scratchers regularly, understanding how this second-chance system works can significantly boost your overall odds of walking away with a prize. Here is an in-depth, step-by-step guide to entering, tracking drawings, and claiming rewards through Virginia’s premier second-chance program.

What Is the Virginia Lottery eXTRA Chances Program?

The eXTRA Chances promotion is the Virginia Lottery’s official second-chance initiative designed primarily for non-winning Scratchers. While a ticket may not reveal an instant cash prize at the register, it often features the eXTRA Chances logo on the front or back, signifying that the serial numbers can be submitted online.

Every eligible ticket entered yields a predetermined number of entries into rolling drawings. In most regular cycles, the Virginia Lottery hosts weekly drawings featuring prizes such as $25,000 in cash, alongside occasional special promotional drawings offering experiential trips, luxury merchandise, or concert tickets.

How to Enter Tickets into VALottery Extra Chance Drawings

Entering your tickets is completely digital. You cannot mail non-winning tickets to lottery headquarters unless explicitly instructed for a specific audited contest. Follow these steps to enter your tickets quickly and correctly:

1. Create or Log In to Your Account: Visit the official Virginia Lottery website (valottery.com) or download the official Virginia Lottery mobile app for iOS or Android. You must have a registered, verified MyGameRoom account to submit tickets.
2. Locate the Entry Codes: On your non-winning Scratcher, scratch off the latex covering the barcode and the 25-digit code located in the play area (often near the bottom).
3. Scan via the Mobile App (Fastest Method): Open the Virginia Lottery app, log in, navigate to the ticket scanner tool, and point your camera at the barcode. The app will immediately read the ticket and confirm entry into the active drawing pool.
4. Manual Web Entry: If you are using a desktop browser, navigate to the eXTRA Chances promotion page, select manual entry, and type in the ticket’s entry code along with the required verification digits.

Which Tickets Qualify for Entry?

Not every ticket sold by the Virginia Lottery qualifies for second-chance entry. Knowing what to look for will save you time and prevent unnecessary entries:

• Scratchers with the Logo: Look for the distinctive “eXTRA Chances” graphic on the face of the ticket. If the graphic is present and the ticket did not produce an instant win, it is eligible.
• Ticket Price Point Values: Typically, higher-denomination scratchers award more drawing entries. For example, a $1 ticket might grant 1 entry, while a $10 or $30 ticket might grant 10 to 30 entries into the upcoming drawing.
• Select Draw Games: Occasionally, the Virginia Lottery launches limited-time promotions allowing non-winning draw tickets (such as Cash 5, Bank a Million, or Pick 4) to be entered into special second-chance pools. Check the promotional rules on the site for current eligible draw game events.
• Winning Tickets Are Ineligible: If your ticket won any instant cash prize—even a break-even $2 or $5—it cannot be entered into an Extra Chance drawing. Claim your instant prize instead.

Drawing Schedules and Prize Structures

The standard structure for Virginia’s second-chance drawings follows a predictable weekly routine, though seasonal promotions may offer modified calendars:

• Weekly Cash Prizes: The baseline weekly drawing regularly awards a top prize of $25,000 to one lucky entrant, with entry cutoffs typically taking place every Tuesday at 11:59 PM ET and drawings held on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
• Entry Expirations: Entries do not roll over indefinitely. Entries submitted within a specific weekly promotional window are valid only for that designated drawing. Once that drawing concludes, a new cycle starts for tickets submitted thereafter.
• Special Seasonal Drawings: During summer or holiday seasons, the Virginia Lottery occasionally partners with national brands to give away vehicles, electronics, or VIP travel packages alongside cash rewards.

How Are Winners Notified?

If your entry is drawn, the Virginia Lottery contacts you directly using the contact details stored in your MyGameRoom account. Notifications are typically delivered by email and certified mail or phone call, depending on the prize value.

Official winner lists are also published directly on the Virginia Lottery website once identities and ticket validities have been confirmed. Because scammers sometimes imitate lottery agencies, always observe these security guidelines:

• The lottery will never ask you to wire money or pay processing fees upfront to release a prize.
• Verify any winning notice by logging into your official account on valottery.com or contacting Virginia Lottery Customer Service directly.
• Ensure your physical address, phone number, and email address are kept up to date in your player profile so notifications reach you on time.

Best Practices for Managing Your Extra Chance Entries

To maximize your chances and avoid administrative headaches, use these proven habits:

1. Scan Tickets Immediately

Do not let losing scratchers pile up on counters or in your vehicle. Weather, water damage, or fading can make barcodes unreadable. Get into the habit of opening the app and scanning tickets immediately after checking them.

2. Keep Physical Tickets Until the Drawing Closes

While digital scanning registers your entries instantly, lottery regulations may occasionally require physical verification of the original ticket in dispute cases or high-tier audits. File scanned tickets in a simple envelope until that week’s winners are confirmed.

3. Monitor Multiplier Days

Periodically, the Virginia Lottery runs promotional windows where entries for selected games receive 2X, 5X, or 10X bonus entries. Submitting your tickets during these promotional spikes gives you substantially more entries for the exact same spend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to keep my losing ticket after entering it?

In most instances, entries logged in your MyGameRoom account are sufficient. However, the lottery retains the right to request proof of the original ticket during prize claims. It is safest to keep your physical tickets until the winners for that draw cycle are publicly posted.

Can out-of-state residents win valottery extra chance prizes?

Yes. You do not need to be a Virginia resident to purchase Virginia Lottery tickets or enter second-chance promotions. However, you must have purchased the ticket legally from an authorized retailer within Virginia and meet the legal age requirement of 18 or older.

What happens if I win an Extra Chance drawing?

You will receive an official notification with instructions on completing a prize claim form. For prizes over $600, you must submit proper photo identification and a Social Security number for tax withholding, exactly like claiming an instant scratcher jackpot.