The 1982 Launch
The DC Lottery was established on August 25, 1982, under Mayor Marion Barry. The District of Columbia became one of the earlier jurisdictions to launch a lottery, preceding many states that would follow in the mid-to-late 1980s. As a federal district rather than a state, DC's lottery operates under a unique legal framework — authorized by the DC Council rather than a state legislature. From the start, the lottery was designed as a revenue tool for the DC General Fund, channeling proceeds to public services including education, recreation and parks, public safety, housing, and programs for seniors and children.
Founding MUSL Member
The District of Columbia was a founding member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), the organization that would go on to operate Lotto America and eventually Powerball. This early membership gave DC players access to multi-state jackpots from the very beginning of the multi-state lottery era. MUSL was formed in 1987, and DC's participation reflected the district's strategy of maximizing player value by joining forces with other jurisdictions to build larger prize pools than any single entity could generate alone.
Revenue Milestones
Since its founding, the DC Lottery has contributed over $2.4 billion to the DC General Fund. This revenue stream has been a consistent supplement to the district's budget, funding a wide range of public services. Unlike many state lotteries that earmark revenue for a single purpose like education, DC directs lottery proceeds to the General Fund, which means the money supports the full spectrum of district government services — from schools and parks to public safety and social services.
Game Evolution
DC's game portfolio has evolved substantially over four decades. The digit games — DC 3 and DC 4 — have been cornerstones of the lineup, with their three-draws-per-day schedule making them among the most frequently drawn games in the country. DC 5 added a five-digit option with twice-daily drawings. The multi-state portfolio has expanded over the years to include both Powerball and Mega Millions, along with mid-tier options like Lotto America.
The February 2026 Overhaul
The most recent major change came on February 22, 2026, when the DC Lottery retired three games — DC 2, Lucky for Life, and The Lucky One — and added Millionaire for Life in their place. This streamlined the portfolio to seven draw games, replacing the older lifetime payout game (Lucky for Life) with the improved Millionaire for Life format featuring better prize tiers and daily drawings. The retirement of DC 2 and The Lucky One simplified the digit game lineup, letting DC 3, DC 4, and DC 5 serve as the core daily games.
A Unique Lottery Jurisdiction
The DC Lottery holds a distinctive position in American lottery history. It is the only lottery operated by a federal district rather than a state, giving it a unique governance structure under the DC Council and mayor rather than a state legislature. Despite serving a population of roughly 700,000 — smaller than most state lottery jurisdictions — the DC Lottery has maintained a robust game portfolio and generated billions in public revenue over its four-decade history. For a full breakdown of every current game, see our DC Lottery Games Guide, or visit the DC lottery dashboard for live results and analysis.