District of Columbia Lottery Results, Rules & Tax Rate

District of Columbia participates in Powerball, Mega Millions and other multi-state draw games. Here's the latest results plus what District of Columbia winners owe in state tax.

Legal status

Lottery tickets are sold in District of Columbia

Washington D.C. has one of the highest effective withholding rates in the country.

Visit the official District of Columbia Lottery website →

State tax on winnings 0%11%+10.75%

Applies on top of mandatory 24% federal withholding for prizes over $5,000 — and most states, District of Columbia included, apply their own state withholding starting at that same $5,000 threshold rather than a different state-specific number. Use our tax calculator to estimate a specific jackpot.

Ranks #2 of 46 lottery states, highest to lowest. See the full ranking.

Minimum age to buy a ticket

18

District of Columbia uses the standard 18-year minimum most lottery states set. This applies to purchase; some states also require the same minimum age to claim a prize.

Where the money goes: The DC Lottery has transferred more than $2.3 billion to the District's General Fund since 1982, supporting essential city services. Most U.S. state lotteries direct the bulk of their proceeds toward education, though the specifics vary considerably — check District of Columbia's official lottery site for the exact current breakdown.

District of Columbia Lottery Tax FAQ

Does District of Columbia tax lottery winnings?
Washington D.C. has one of the highest effective withholding rates in the country.

Where do I claim a prize in District of Columbia?
Prizes are claimed through the official state lottery commission for the state where the ticket was purchased, not where the winner lives. Always check your specific state lottery's claim procedures and deadlines, which vary from 90 days to one year.

Can I stay anonymous if I win in District of Columbia?
This varies significantly by state and changes as legislatures pass new bills. See can you stay anonymous after winning the lottery for how the rules generally break down, then verify directly with District of Columbia's lottery commission before you'd ever need it for real.

Purchasing age and tax rate on this page last verified July 18, 2026. See our data sources for how we verify state-level rules and how to report an error.