D.C. Lottery

The D.C. Lottery (official name District of Columbia Lottery & Charitable Games Control Board) is run by the government of Washington, DC, the capital of the US. The D.C. Lottery is a charter member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). Games offered include Hot Lotto, Powerball, DC Daily 6, DC-5, DC-4, Keno, Mega Millions, and numerous scratch tickets.

The D.C. Lottery began in 1982. In its history, it has given over $1.5 billion to the District of Columbia to help with education, public safety, child services, and other causes.^[1]

All D.C. Lottery games have a minimum age of 18.

In 2009, the Board proceeds were: 52.19% for prizes; 28.03% to DC's General Funds; 8.55% for contracts or other costs; 6.24% agents' commissions; and 4.99% administrative costs.^[2]

Charitable games

The Board licenses games of chance that are conducted by D.C.-based non-profit organizations. D.C., Virginia, and Maryland-based charities can offer raffles, with the provision that these drawings are held in the District of Columbia. Organizations seeking to conduct such fundraisers must obtain a license from the Board, with DC Lottery employees supervising the drawings to assure fairness.^[3]

Current D.C. Lottery draw games

DC 3

DC 3 is a Pick 3 game drawn twice daily.

DC-4

DC-4 also is drawn twice daily.

DC-5

DC-5 is a game drawn twice daily in the style of DC 3 and DC 4, with straight and box wagers. It is played in the same manner as Pennsylvania's Quinto.

DC Daily 6

DC Daily 6 is drawn once daily. It draws from 39 numbers; a bonus number is drawn from the remaining 33. The Bonus Ball does not apply to the top prize, which is $250,000. Each game is two plays for $1. The cutoff for sales is 7:45 pm daily; these tickets cannot be canceled.^[4]

Race 2 Riches

Race 2 Riches (previously known as "D.C. Keno") drawings are every four minutes, from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. The top prize is $100,000, for matching 10 of the 20 numbers drawn. This game can be played at DC Lottery retailers that have a special monitor.

Multi-state games

Hot Lotto

Hot Lotto, a MUSL game, is offered by 15 lotteries. It is drawn Wednesdays and Saturdays. Hot Lotto draws five "white balls" numbered from 1 through 47, and an orange Hot Ball, numbered from 1 through 19. Jackpots begin at $1,000,000 (all-cash, and "taxes paid"; originally annuitized with a cash option), increasing by at least $50,000 if there is no top prize winner. Plays are $1 each, or $2 if the "Sizzler" option is chosen; the latter triples lower-tier prizes. Hot Lotto began in 2002; it was added to the D.C. Lottery portfolio in 2004.

On May 12, 2013, the Hot Lotto game added eight "white balls" and increased most of the prize amounts; for example, second prize was increased from $10,000 to $30,000 (a "Sizzler" play can win $90,000.)

Mega Millions

On January 31, 2010, most U.S. lotteries with either Mega Millions or Powerball began offering both games. The D.C. Lottery added Mega Millions on the cross-selling expansion date. The largest Mega Millions jackpot was over $650,000,000.

Powerball

Since 1988, the D.C. Lottery has been a member of MUSL, which created Powerball in 1992. Its jackpots currently start at $40 million. It is drawn Wednesday and Saturday nights at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida.

On September 19, 2010, the D.C. Lottery had entered the wrong Powerball numbers into its computer system. Terminals read some losing tickets as winners, and vice versa. The Lottery revised its procedures to prevent such errors from recurring.^[5]

On January 31, 2010, most lotteries with either Mega Millions or Powerball began offering both games. The D.C. Lottery added Mega Millions on that date. The largest jackpot in Mega Millions so far was more than $640 million.^[6]

Lucky for Life

Lucky for Life began in Connecticut in 2009; it expanded in 2015 to include the District of Columbia, and is now offered by 17 jurisdictions.

References

External links

• D.C. Lottery official website