Washington, D.C. (DC) Powerball Lottery Results & Winning Numbers

How to Play DC Powerball

The basics are pretty simple — you need to buy a ticket for $2 and select five numbers (1-69) and one Powerball number (1-26). Then you wait for the draw to see if you’ve won. However, there are few more things you need to know, so let’s take a look at it on a step-by-step basis:

1. Visit a DC lottery retailer to buy the ticket. You can check here to find the closest location to you. 
2. Choose five numbers from the larger pool of numbers, ranging from 1 to 69.
3. Select one Powerball number from the smaller pool of numbers, ranging from 1 to 26. 
4. If you don’t want to pick the number, use the Quick Play option which allows the computer to choose your numbers randomly. 
5. Choose the Power Play option to play with a multiplier. The multipliers increase the prize by 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 times, and each Power Play costs an additional $1. You can only play this mode together with the base play, and you have to mark the Power Play option on the ticket or ask the retailer to help you. 
6. There’s also a Multi-Draw option on the ticket with which you can play several consecutive draws using the same numbers and the same ticket. You can choose from 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 consecutive plays. 
7. Print the ticket and wait for the draw to see if you’ve won. 

You can check the numbers on the official Washington DC Lottery website. Enter them in the Check Your Numbers field or view past winning numbers. 

Powerball Drawing Schedule

Until August 23, 2021, there were two draws per week for the Powerball. This has since increased to three per week, occurring every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59pm ET.

Payouts, Odds, and Rules

If you want to play this lottery game, there are a few rules you need to know about, besides the ones we already covered in the How to Play section:

• You have to be at least 18 years old to participate. 
• The ticket is the only valid proof for the selections you’ve made. You can’t use the bet slip when claiming any prize. 
• You have to choose five regular numbers and one Powerball number to participate.

The Powerball jackpot is yours if you correctly guess all six numbers on the ticket. However, if you guess less, there are other prizes, and every specific combination has its own reward. Here’s each one together with the award and odds:

How to Claim Prizes

Claiming lottery prizes in Washington DC is easy, but it varies depending on the amount you’ve won.

For example, you can claim any prize under $600 by mail or at a DC Lottery Retailer at the same place you’ve purchased the ticket.

As for prizes up to $5,000 and above, you can claim them by mail or at a Retailer Plus location. 

For every prize above $600, you’ll need to provide the following:

• The signed winning ticket
• Valid government-issued photo ID
• Social security card
• Lottery claim form

It’s recommended that you send these documents using a tracked mail service. While the winning ticket must be the original, copies of your identification will be accepted.

You then have to send everything needed to claim the prize to:

DC Lottery Prize Center

2235 Shannon Place, SE

Washington, D.C. 20020

Washington DC Powerball Biggest Winners

A lot of people have won big Powerball prizes in DC over the years. Most have been between $10,000 to $200,000. However, a few people have won $1,000,000 or more. 

Ramon Mendez managed to snatch a $2,000,000 prize on December 12, 2013. He bought the ticket at the Gateway Newsstand Retailer.

Washington DC Powerball History and Facts

• The DC Powerball was held twice weekly until August 23, 2021, when it switched to the three draws per week format. 
• No player from Washington DC has ever won the jackpot prize. 
• On September 19, 2010, the DC Lottery entered the wrong numbers into the computer, which resulted in many losing tickets being counted as winning ones, and vice versa. 

Other Washington DC Lotteries

You can participate in several other lotteries in Washington DC, including Lucky for Life, DC-2, DC-3, DC-4, DC-5, Mega Millions, Race to Riches, and a few other games. 

Washington DC Powerball FAQs

How do you win the DC Powerball?

You win the jackpot by correctly guessing all six numbers — five regular and the Powerball number. However, other smaller combinations yield other prizes, and you can see each one in the Payouts, Odds, and Rules section of this guide. 

When is the Powerball draw?

The draw takes place at 10:59 p.m. ET every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

How late can you buy a Powerball ticket in Washington DC?

You can buy the ticket by 9.45 p.m. on the night of the draw. If you buy a ticket after that time, it will be counted toward the next draw. 

How much tax do you pay on Washington DC lottery winnings?

Whenever you win more than $600 on the lottery, you have to pay both federal income taxes and state income taxes. The federal tax rate is 24%, while the DC state tax is 8.5%.

Other United States Lotteries