Major Expansion of Spending With Minority and Black-Owned Businesses
The Virginia Lottery is preparing to spend $43 million with minority and Black-owned businesses in 2026. This investment is part of a larger plan to reach $180 million in total procurement spending next year. The move signals a major shift toward economic access, fairness, and transparency across the state.
Khalid Jones, the executive director and CEO of the Virginia Lottery, says the goal is simple: expand opportunities for all communities, especially those often left out. He explains that his team is committed to “transparency and equitable community engagement” as they build stronger business relationships across Virginia.
Supporters say this shift will help level the playing field for Black entrepreneurs. Many have long faced barriers to working with large state agencies. Jones wants that to change and is using the lottery’s strong financial position to make it possible.
Focus on Equity, Fair Access, and Responsible Gaming
The lottery earned over $5.7 billion in revenue during fiscal year 2025, proving it has the financial strength to support deeper business partnerships. In that same year, the lottery contributed $901 million in profits to K–12 public education, making it one of the largest funders of school support in the state.
Even with its rising revenue, the lottery continues to promote responsible gaming. Jones says the team uses advertising, direct outreach, and community events to remind players to stay within their budget. “We strongly urge people never to play beyond their means,” he noted.
Although research shows that Black Americans often spend more on lottery games than other groups, Jones says the solution is not to ignore these concerns. Instead, his strategy focuses on listening, engaging, and improving how the lottery serves every community. “We are always committed to ways we can improve what we do for our players, retailers, and beneficiaries,” he added.
Building New Opportunities for Minority Businesses Through Procurement Programs
Jones has placed strong attention on expanding the lottery’s procurement awareness program. This initiative supports small, women-owned, and minority businesses, often referred to as SWaM businesses.
He explains that many businesses fail to work with the lottery because they don’t know where to begin. “I want to make sure that lack of knowledge of opportunity is never an impediment to working with us,” Jones said. To address this, the lottery is partnering with local chambers and trade groups to help more vendors understand how to compete for contracts.
These efforts will open more doors for Black-owned, women-owned, and small businesses in technology, operations, events, creative services, and many other areas. The $43 million spending commitment demonstrates the scale of this push.
Boosting Diversity in Game Creation and Digital Content
Currently, the Virginia Lottery has no Black-owned or Black-led game providers supplying content. Jones intends to change that. He believes adding new voices to the game development process will unlock fresh ideas and increase representation.
This effort is especially important because the Virginia Lottery runs the largest digital lottery platform in America. With millions of players interacting online, the opportunity for diverse creators is tremendous.
“I think there is uncovered content we can unlock if we introduce different voices into the game creation itself,” Jones said. The team is working to identify potential Black creators and help them enter the provider pipeline.
Strengthening Ties With Black Organizations and HBCUs
The Virginia Lottery is also increasing its support for Black-owned newspapers and cultural events. Recent efforts include more advertising in the Richmond Free Press and sponsoring major community events like the Richmond Jazz & Music Festival.
Jones is also expanding partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities. Current partners include Norfolk State University and Virginia State University, with plans to extend these connections statewide.
Additionally, the lottery supports the Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men Scholar’s Breakfast, which honors young Black men with strong academic performance. Jones recently served as keynote speaker, becoming the first lottery director to do so. He says the goal is to show that “the lottery is committed daily to supporting students, teachers, and school personnel in all parts of Virginia.”
A New Direction Powered by Innovation and Community Impact
Jones brings over 20 years of experience in gaming, sports, and business growth. His background includes roles as a lawyer and partner in a national licensing consulting firm. He is now using that expertise to modernize the lottery and expand community trust.
His plan includes AI-powered tools, new technology systems, and player engagement ideas inspired by popular games like Candy Crush. These innovations aim to attract younger audiences and improve the player experience.
Still, he says the mission remains rooted in service. “My charge is to provide funding to K–12 public education,” Jones noted. He believes the lottery can fulfill that promise best when all communities, not just a select few, benefit from its success.
