District of Columbia LotteryScratchersOverall Odds

The top remaining scratch off prizes, ranked from largest to smallest top prize, are as follows. For a complete list of remaining prizes for all games, visit our DC Lottery Remaining Prizes page.

Overall Odds refer to the odds of winning any prize, including break even prizes and free tickets. The Overall Odds are the odds of winning, on average, over the course of the entire game and not per roll. For example, if the Overall Odds of winning were 1 in 3.5, that does not mean that if you purchased four tickets that one of them is a guaranteed winner.

It’s important to remember the lottery is a game of chance and winning involves both planning and luck. Playing with strategy can improve your chances of bringing home a prize. We recommend players:

1. Have a Plan – Decide which prizes you are targeting today. Don’t be the player that wants to “win anything”. Have a plan in mind and remember the smaller your prize goal, the better the odds. Winning $500 is much easier than trying to bring home a $1MM Top Prize.
2. Set a Budget – Have a budget in place that will help determine the price point to play and how many tickets you are able to afford.
3. Find the Best Odds – Having a target prize in mind (e.g. $1,000) and a budget (e.g. $20), you can focus in on which games has the BEST odds of winning today.

Players often ask us this question and are usually referring to which game has the best Overall Odds. That is because they don’t realize prize specific odds are available.

Also, the “BEST” game to play is going to vary player to player. Each player has a different prize amount (or range) they want to win as well as a budget they can spend. Smart players will target the smallest amount that will make an impact as the odds will be much better than always trying to win a top prize.

Players have different meaning when they ask which scratch off wins the most. Let’s breakdown some common meanings:

Overall Odds – The best overall odds will have the most “wins”; however, these games are often packed with smaller, breakeven prizes. A player may see more wins, but usually will just win back the ticket cost.

Prize Payout – The prize payout is often referred to as the return to player. The higher the Prize Payout, the more of ticket sales are paid out as prizes. Typically higher priced games will pay more prize money than the less expensive games.

PRO TIP – Players should target the prizes they desire and utilize all available information to play strategically. By understanding when the odds of winning have significantly improved, players may be able to time their purchases more effectively.

In the District of Columbia, scratch off prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the official close of the game. The specific end date can be found on the DC Lottery’s website.

By Mail – You can claim any winnings by mail.

Retailer – Prizes of $600 or less can be claimed at any authorized DC Lottery retailer.

Agent Plus – Prizes up to $5,000 may be claimed at any of the seven Agent Plus locations in the city.

Prize Center – Prizes over $5,000 must be claimed at the DC Lottery Prize Center.

Scratch games released in the last 30 days are highlighted with a “NEW GAME!” tag on all our scratch off rankings.

We always respond to this question with a question: “Best odds to win what?”

The best odds to win are dependent on your specific goals. Are you looking to win just enough for a fancy meal out, or dreaming of a massive “buy your own city” type of fortune? Each lottery game, whether it’s a scratch-off or a draw game, has different odds for various prizes, making some games more favorable for certain types of wins.

At LottoEdge, we understand that every player’s goal and playing style is unique. We offer over 20 comprehensive rankings plus price filters to help you find the best chance for winning the prizes you want. We also offer draw game odds comparisons for all your favorite DC Lottery games.

The number of tickets in a roll of scratch-offs can differ based on both the game and the ticket price. Typically, a roll can hold anywhere from 20 to 300 tickets, and the overall cost of a roll may vary from $300 to $600.

For the most up to date details, it’s best to check with your local lottery retailer.