State lottery review
DC Lottery review (2026): DC iLottery, public winner records and games
DC lottery with DC iLottery, Lotto America and public winner records.
Our verdict
DC offers online play but winners are named publicly.
Best for: DC residents wanting an online lottery option.
- Odds & value 25%5
- Transparency 20%6
- Player protection 20%6
- Ease of play 15%8
- Payouts & claims 10%5
- Reputation 10%7
What we like
- DC iLottery
- Drawings open to public viewing
- Millionaire for Life and Lotto America available
What to watch
- Winners are public record
- Claim deadline not verified
At a glance
- Type
- State government agency
- Available in
- DC
- Mobile app
- —
- Courier apps allowed
- Yes
- Federal withholding
- 24%
- Help line
- 1-800-GAMBLER
Score breakdown
Rubric & weights- Odds & value 25% weight5/10
Sells the national games at standard odds (Powerball 1 in 292,201,338); no state-game odds were verified.
- Transparency 20% weight6/10
Drawings are open to public viewing, but few other facts were verified.
- Player protection 20% weight6/10
Little responsible-play material was verified on the pages reviewed.
- Ease of play 15% weight8/10
Powerball is sold at retailers and on DC iLottery; Jackpocket also lists DC.
- Payouts & claims 10% weight5/10
Winner information is public record; claim deadline not verified.
- Reputation 10% weight7/10
Government lottery with no negative findings in the reviewed pages.
Games, prices and published odds
Top prizes and odds
| Game | Match | Prize | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerball | 5 + Powerball | Grand Prize | 1 in 292,201,338.00 |
| 5 | $1 Million | 1 in 11,688,053.52 | |
| 4 + Powerball | $50,000 | 1 in 913,129.18 | |
| Mega Millions | 5 + Mega Ball | Jackpot (not multiplied) | 1 in 290,472,336 |
| 5 | $2,000,000 to $10,000,000 (2X to 10X multiplier) | 1 in 12,629,232 | |
| 4 + Mega Ball | $20,000 to $100,000 (2X to 10X multiplier) | 1 in 893,761 | |
| Millionaire for Life | 5 + Life Ball | $1,000,000 Per Year for Life ($18 Million Cash Option) | 1 in 22,910,580.00 |
| 5 | $100,000 Per Year for Life ($2.2 Million Cash Option) | 1 in 5,727,645.00 | |
| 4 + Life Ball | $7,500 | 1 in 86,455.02 | |
| Lotto America | 5 + Star Ball | Grand Prize | 1 in 25,989,600.00 |
| 5 | $20,000 | 1 in 2,887,733.33 | |
| 4 + Star Ball | $1,000 | 1 in 110,594.04 |
Top three prize tiers as printed on the operator's prize chart.
Odds are the operator's published figures per single play. Prize amounts are before tax.
Who it’s for
The DC Lottery suits District residents who want an official online option and a wide menu of local games, and who accept that winner information is public record. It is a poor fit for players who want privacy. We found no stated minimum age on the pages we checked, so confirm that with the lottery.
How it works
The DC Lottery is run by the DC Office of Lottery and Gaming. Most proceeds go to the District General Fund. We did not find an annual figure, so we do not give one.
Draw games include Powerball at $2, Mega Millions at $5, Millionaire for Life at $5 and Lotto America at $1. Local games include DC 2, DC 3, DC 4, DC 5, Keno, Race2Riches, Jackpot USA and Xs & Os.
The lottery lets the public view its drawings, which is a transparency feature.
Odds and value
Odds on the national games are the standard ones. Powerball’s jackpot is 1 in 292,201,338 with any prize at 1 in 24.87. Mega Millions is 1 in 290,472,336 and 1 in 23. Millionaire for Life is 1 in 22,910,580 for the top prize and 1 in 8.46 for any prize. Lotto America’s jackpot is 1 in 25,989,600 with any prize at 1 in 9.63.
We did not record published odds for DC’s local games, so we cannot compare them with Delaware’s Multi-Win Lotto or Colorado’s Cash 5. See the methodology.
Trust and regulation
We found no regulatory actions on the pages we checked. The helpline is 1-800-GAMBLER. Open viewing of drawings is a useful check for players who want to see the process.
We did not find a published payout percentage or audit statement in our sources.
Claiming prizes and taxes
We could not find a claim deadline or a District tax rate on the pages we checked, so we do not state them. Federal tax of 24% is withheld on prizes over $5,000.
Winner information is public record, so anonymity is not allowed. That is the same position as Louisiana, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Washington, and unlike Delaware or Montana. See the DC state page.
Playing online
DC sells official online tickets through DC iLottery. Powerball is available both at retailers and online. Mega Millions’ FAQ also lists DC among the places where online purchase is possible.
Courier apps also operate. Jackpocket lists DC on its iOS and web service. A courier buys an official ticket for you, but charges a fee, so the official platform is the lower-cost route if you want to play online.
Our take
DC combines an official online platform with open drawings and a broad game list, but gives winners no privacy and leaves several rules unpublished. It suits a resident who wants to play online and does not mind being named. Players who want to stay private should compare Delaware or Montana. Our guides explain the differences.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play the DC Lottery online?
Yes, through DC iLottery.
Can I stay anonymous if I win?
No. Winner information is public record.
What games does DC sell?
Powerball, Mega Millions, Millionaire for Life, Lotto America and local games such as DC 2 to DC 5, Keno, Race2Riches and Jackpot USA.
Where does the money go?
Most proceeds go to the District General Fund.
How long do I have to claim?
We could not find a stated deadline on the pages we checked.
Frequently asked questions
- Is DC Lottery legit?
- DC Lottery is operated by DC Office of Lottery and Gaming. The DC Office of Lottery and Gaming runs the DC Lottery; winner information is public record. We rate it 6.1/10 (Fair) on odds, transparency, player protection, ease of play, payouts and reputation, verified November 2, 2026.
- How much does DC Lottery cost?
- From $1 to $5.
- What are the odds of winning at DC Lottery?
- Powerball: top prize listed on the official page at 1 in 292,201,338; any prize 1 in 24.87. These are the operator's published figures per single play.
- What are the downsides of DC Lottery?
- Winners are public record. Claim deadline not verified.
Sources
Facts last verified November 2, 2026
Every figure on this page comes from one of the documents below. If a source has changed since our check, tell us.
- DC Lottery · accessed November 2, 2026
- DC Lottery: Powerball · accessed November 2, 2026
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