DC Lottery Draw Games
The DC Lottery offers seven draw games, from fast-paced digit games with three daily drawings to multi-state mega-jackpots. Established on August 25, 1982, the DC Lottery is one of the oldest in the nation. Unlike state lotteries, the DC Lottery operates within a federal district — the District of Columbia is not a state but has its own fully independent lottery commission. Revenue flows to the DC General Fund, supporting education, recreation and parks, public safety, housing, and senior and child services. Since inception, the DC Lottery has contributed over $2.4 billion to these programs. DC applies a top marginal tax rate of 10.75% on lottery winnings, with 8.5% withheld on prizes over $5,000.
DC 3 (Pick 3 — Three Draws Per Day)
DC 3 is a pick-3 digit game with an unusually high draw frequency. Pick 3 digits from 0 to 9, drawn three times every day at 1:50 PM, 7:50 PM, and 11:30 PM ET. Each ticket costs $0.50 or $1. Play types include Straight (exact order), Box (any order), Straight/Box combo, Front Pair, and Back Pair. The three-draws-per-day schedule is unique among US lotteries — most states offer at most two daily digit draws. This means DC 3 generates data faster than almost any other digit game in the country, making it especially responsive to frequency analysis over short time windows.
DC 4 (Pick 4 — Three Draws Per Day)
DC 4 is a pick-4 digit game that mirrors DC 3's three-daily-draw schedule. Pick 4 digits from 0 to 9, drawn at 1:50 PM, 7:50 PM, and 11:30 PM ET every day. Each ticket costs $0.50 or $1. Play types include Straight, Box, Straight/Box, and Front/Back Pair. Like DC 3, the three daily drawings make DC 4 one of the highest-frequency draw games in the United States. The additional digit increases combinations to 10,000 (compared to 1,000 for DC 3), but the rapid draw schedule means overdue patterns develop and resolve quickly.
DC 5 (Pick 5 — Two Draws Per Day)
DC 5 is a five-digit game drawn twice daily at 1:50 PM and 7:50 PM ET. Pick 5 digits from 0 to 9 with play types including Straight and Box. Each ticket costs $1. With 100,000 possible straight combinations, DC 5 offers larger payouts than DC 3 or DC 4 but at longer odds. The twice-daily schedule still generates data at a strong pace for number tracking and frequency analysis.
Lotto America (5/52 + Star Ball 1/10)
Lotto America is a multi-state game with a compact format. Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 52 plus a Star Ball from 1 to 10, drawn Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Each ticket costs $1 with an optional All Star Bonus multiplier. The smaller secondary pool (1-10 vs. 1-26 for Powerball) gives Lotto America better overall odds than the national mega-jackpot games while still building substantial multi-million-dollar prizes. DC is a founding member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), which operates Lotto America.
Millionaire for Life (5/58 + Lucky Ball 1/5)
Millionaire for Life offers the largest recurring payouts. Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 58 plus a Lucky Ball from 1 to 5, drawn daily. Each ticket costs $5. The top prize is $1 million per year for life, with seven prize tiers from $5 up. This game was added in February 2026 when DC retired DC 2, Lucky for Life, and The Lucky One on February 22, 2026. The recurring payout structure appeals to players who prefer steady income over a single lump sum.
Powerball (5/69 + 1/26)
Powerball draws Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings. Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 69 plus a Powerball from 1 to 26. The Power Play multiplier can boost non-jackpot prizes up to 10x for an extra $1. Jackpot odds are 1 in 292,201,338. As a founding MUSL member, DC has had access to Powerball and its predecessors since the multi-state game era began. DC winners face a combined tax burden of roughly 34.75% (24% federal withholding plus 10.75% DC), making lump sum vs. annuity analysis especially important.
Mega Millions (5/70 + 1/25)
Mega Millions draws Tuesday and Friday evenings. Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 70 plus a Mega Ball from 1 to 25. The Megaplier multiplies non-jackpot prizes up to 5x for an extra $1. Jackpot odds are 1 in 302,575,350. Like Powerball, DC's 10.75% top tax rate means winners should carefully model their after-tax outcomes before choosing lump sum or annuity.
Which DC Game Should You Play?
For the most frequent action, DC 3 and DC 4 offer three draws per day — more chances to play and more data to analyze than almost any other US lottery game. For a mid-tier multi-state game, Lotto America balances decent odds with growing jackpots three times per week. For recurring lifetime payouts, Millionaire for Life offers $1 million per year for life. For the biggest single jackpots, Powerball and Mega Millions deliver — though DC's 10.75% state tax means careful planning is essential. Use our Frequency Analysis and Hot & Cold Numbers tools on the DC lottery dashboard to explore patterns across all games.