Fairfax County Teacher Wins $986K Virginia Lottery Jackpot On Wife’s Birthday

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — A Fairfax County teacher won a $986,399 jackpot in the Virginia Lottery’s The Lamp: Dark Arts online game after deciding to play on his wife’s birthday, according to a Virginia Lottery press release.

The winner, who was not identified, later told his wife during a walk that he had a gift for her. “It’s the best birthday present I ever got for my wife,” he told Lottery officials. “It’s truly life changing.”

The man said he texted his wife a photo to show her the win, but she did not believe it at first. “I feel like I’m dreaming,” the Fairfax County man said.

The Lamp: Dark Arts is one of the Virginia Lottery’s online instant games available through the Virginia Lottery app and at valottery.com. According to the Virginia Lottery, the jackpot grows as more people play. The odds of winning any prize in the game are 1 in 3.85.

The lottery also allows players to buy Powerball, Mega Millions, Millionaire for Life, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5 and Cash 5 with EZ Match online. Players must be at least 18 and physically located in Virginia, according to the release.

The Virginia Lottery said all of its profits go to K-12 education in Virginia. Fairfax County received more than $56 million in lottery funds for K-12 education last fiscal year, according to the release.

In Fiscal Year 2025, the lottery raised more than $901 million for K-12 education, making up about 10 percent of Virginia’s total K-12 school budget, according to the release.

Anyone who thinks they or someone they know may have a gambling problem can contact the Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline at 888-532-3500 by call, text or chat 24/7.

Anyone seeking more information about school funding distributions can visit the Virginia Lottery's Giving Back page. General information about lottery games is also available through the lottery’s website and app.