LYNCHBURG, VA — A quiet night in front of the TV with friends turned into a six-figure windfall for a Lynchburg bartender who hit a $270,912 jackpot while playing the Virginia Lottery’s Luminous Loot game on his phone.
Charles Hodnett had only recently downloaded the Lottery’s mobile app and was still getting familiar with it when he landed the progressive prize. He was playing casually when he hit the jackpot, becoming one of the latest winners of the online instant game.
The Virginia Lottery confirmed the win in Luminous Loot, one of dozens of online games available through its app and website. The game offers odds of 1 in 3.95 per play and features a growing jackpot that resets once claimed.
Hodnett, who works as a bartender, said he has no immediate plans for the money. He described the experience as surreal, telling officials that it “still hasn’t hit” him yet.
All Virginia Lottery profits go toward public K-12 education. Lynchburg received more than $11.1 million in lottery funds during the last fiscal year, with over $934 million raised statewide in Fiscal Year 2024.
Key Points
- Charles Hodnett of Lynchburg won $270,912 playing Luminous Loot online
- He was using the Lottery app for the first time while watching TV with friends
- All Lottery proceeds benefit K-12 education, with over $11 million going to Lynchburg last year