HOW TO CLAIM WINNINGS?

Before taking steps to claim your prize, double-check your numbers against the official drawing results with the ones drawn or visit our Lottery Results. This will help you confirm that you have correctly matched the winning numbers and know what prize amount will fill your pockets.

Once you confirm that you are a winner, Congratulations!! But remember, in District of Columbia winners must be 18 years or older.

Your next step is to sign the back of your ticket. Be aware that some U.S. state lotteries allow you to claim your lottery money as a trust so you can avoid revealing your identity. Check the anonymity policy of your state below to see what information they will make public. Also, some states permit lotteries to be claimed by groups, while others have special rules for lottery pools. If you are part of a lottery pool, the name that you sign to your winning ticket should take these rules into consideration.

Lottery winners have 180 days from the date of drawing to claim their prize. If your lottery prize gives an option of claiming it as a lump sum or an annuity, winners have 180 days from the date they claim their prize to choose between payout options.

The answer to this question lies in, “how much have you won?”, or “what is the size of the prize?”. Prizes worth $600 or less can be claimed at lottery retailers. Prizes larger than this require that you stop by the regional offices of the state lottery or mail your claim following the instructions provided on the official site.

• Winning tickets up to $600 can be redeemed in person at any office of the lottery and gaming agent.
• You can also visit the Office of Lottery and Gaming Prize Center to claim your winning amount.
• Prize claims can also be mailed to the DC Lottery’s Prize Center.
• If you are mailing the claim, it is essential to mail the original winning ticket along with a complete claim form to redeem your winning amount without any hassle.

• For claiming prizes more than $600 to $5,000, you can visit the Office of Lottery and Gaming Prize Center.
• Prize claims for this amount can also be mailed to the DC Lottery’s Prize Center.
• The mailing ticket should be accompanied by a complete claim form and government-issued photo ID proofs including passport, driving license, social security card, etc.

• Prizes above $5,000 should be claimed by visiting the Office of Lottery and Gaming Prize Center.
• Claim to prizes above $5,000 can also be mailed to the DC Lottery’s Prize Center.
• Complete the claim form along with signing and filling the information on the back of your winning ticket, including a copy of your passport, social security card, and driver’s license and send it all to the mailing address.
• You can also contact the Prize Center at 202-645-8000, for any additional guidance on claiming prizes above $5,000.

DC Lottery Prize Center
2235 Shannon Place, SE
Washington, DC 20020

The District of Columbia lottery commission website says that lottery winners cannot remain anonymous. Winners must publicly disclose their first name and the first initial of their last name. The location where the winning ticket was purchased is made publicly available. Winners may also choose to have their pictures taken for publicity purposes.

All lottery winner information is subject to Freedom of Information Act requests. Therefore, while some information may not be automatically shared with the public, requests for information may be granted.