Virgin Islands Lottery Faces Second Cyberattack in 14 Months, Halting Operations

The Virgin Islands Lottery (VIL), based in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, has suspended all operations following a significant cybersecurity breach on March 17, 2025, disrupting its information technology systems. This incident has indefinitely postponed Drawing #1047, which was initially delayed due to air quality concerns at the St. Thomas office. The attack affects retail ticket sales, prize claims, and administrative functions. Authorities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, are investigating the breach as officials work to restore functionality and resume services.

This marks the second cyberattack on the VIL in just over a year. In January 2024, the lottery experienced a similar breach that led to a temporary suspension of operations. That incident disrupted ticket production and sales, resulting in the cancellation of scheduled drawings. The VIL collaborated with internal IT teams and external cybersecurity experts to address the breach and resumed operations on January 24, 2024. The recurrence of such incidents underscores the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures within the organization.