DC Lucky for Life is a popular lottery game available in Washington DC and several other jurisdictions. It offers exciting prizes with a top prize of $1,000 a day for life. Here are some quick answers about how to play:
– Tickets cost $2 per play.
– Players choose 5 numbers from 1 to 48 and 1 Lucky Ball number from 1 to 18.
– Prizes start at $4 for matching just the Lucky Ball number.
– Match all 5 numbers plus the Lucky Ball to win the jackpot.
– Drawings are held every Monday and Thursday.
Now let’s dive into the full details on how to play DC Lucky for Life, how to win prizes, the odds of winning, where to buy tickets, and more.
How to Play DC Lucky for Life
DC Lucky for Life offers two ways to play:
Quick Pick
With Quick Pick, you let the lottery terminal randomly select your numbers. You just need to:
1. Tell the retailer you want to play DC Lucky for Life.
2. Give the retailer $2 per Quick Pick.
3. The terminal will print a ticket with 5 randomly selected numbers from 1 to 48 and 1 Lucky Ball number from 1 to 18.
Select Your Own Numbers
You can also choose your own numbers by:
1. Selecting 5 different numbers from 1 to 48.
2. Choosing 1 Lucky Ball number from 1 to 18.
3. Marking your selections on a play slip.
4. Giving the play slip and $2 per play to the retailer.
You can select multiple plays for the same drawing on a single play slip. Just mark the number of plays you want to purchase.
How to Win DC Lucky for Life Prizes
To win a Lucky for Life prize, your ticket numbers must match some or all of the numbers drawn for that day. The DC Lucky for Life prize breakdown is:
| Prize Level | Match | Prize Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jackpot | All 5 numbers + Lucky Ball | $1,000 a day for life* |
| 2nd Prize | All 5 numbers | $25,000 a year for life |
| 3rd Prize | 4 numbers + Lucky Ball | $5,000 |
| 4th Prize | 4 numbers | $200 |
| 5th Prize | 3 numbers + Lucky Ball | $150 |
| 6th Prize | 3 numbers | $20 |
| 7th Prize | 2 numbers + Lucky Ball | $25 |
| 8th Prize | 1 number + Lucky Ball | $4 |
*Jackpot is guaranteed for a minimum of 20 years. If the winner dies before 20 years, payments will continue to their beneficiaries.
To win multiple prizes on a single ticket, the numbers marked must create several winning combinations. For example, matching 4 numbers plus the Lucky Ball would win the 3rd and 8th prize.
All cash prizes can be claimed as a lump sum or annuity payment. The jackpot and 2nd prizes are paid annually.
DC Lucky for Life Odds of Winning
The odds of winning any Lucky for Life prize are about 1 in 7. Here are the detailed odds for each prize level:
| Prize Level | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|
| Jackpot | 1 in 30,821,472 |
| 2nd Prize | 1 in 1,813,027 |
| 3rd Prize | 1 in 143,355 |
| 4th Prize | 1 in 8,432 |
| 5th Prize | 1 in 3,413 |
| 6th Prize | 1 in 200 |
| 7th Prize | 1 in 249 |
| 8th Prize | 1 in 49 |
As you can see, lower tier prizes have a more reasonable shot of winning compared to the jackpot. But you still have a chance to win life-changing sums of money by matching all the numbers.
Where to Buy DC Lucky for Life Tickets
DC Lucky for Life tickets can be purchased at licensed lottery retailers across Washington DC. This includes convenience stores, gas stations, liquor stores, supermarkets, and other authorized outlets.
You can ask the retailer for a Lucky for Life quick pick or select your own numbers on a play slip. Many lottery self-service kiosks also offer the ability to purchase Lucky for Life tickets.
Some key retailers offering DC Lucky for Life tickets include:
Giant Food
All Giant Food grocery stores in the District sell lottery tickets at customer service desks or self-checkouts. There are over 15 Giant locations in DC.
Safeway
Lucky for Life can be purchased at any Safeway in DC, with over 10 stores located throughout the city. Go to the customer service desk or self-checkout.
7-Eleven
Many 7-Eleven convenience stores sell DC lottery games. There are around 25 7-Eleven stores located in the District.
Exxon, Shell, and Other Gas Stations
Most gas stations in DC offer lottery ticket sales. Check near the register or at lottery kiosks inside the store.
You can also find a full list of DC Lucky for Life retailers on the DC Lottery website. This makes it easy to locate a selling location convenient to where you live or work.
When Do DC Lucky for Life Drawings Take Place?
DC Lucky for Life drawings are held on Monday and Thursday evenings at approximately 10:45 pm. Here is the drawing schedule:
- Monday drawings determine the winning numbers for tickets purchased from the previous Thursday to that Monday.
- Thursday drawings determine wins for tickets purchased from the previous Monday to that Thursday.
To participate in a drawing, your ticket must be purchased before sales cut-off at 10:45 pm on that Monday or Thursday. Tickets bought after the cut-off will be entered in the next drawing.
Lucky for Life winning numbers are available soon after each drawing at retailers and published on the DC Lottery website. You can also check if you have a winning ticket by scanning it at a lottery retailer, using the ticket checker on the website, or calling the DC Lottery hotline.
Do DC Lucky for Life Winnings Expire?
Yes, there is an expiration date to claim DC Lucky for Life prizes. For draw game prizes, you have 180 days from the drawing date to claim your winnings.
Here are important rules for claiming Lucky for Life prizes within the expiration period:
- Jackpot and 2nd prizes must be claimed at the DC Lottery office.
- Prizes over $600 must be claimed at the Lottery or by mail.
- Prizes $600 and under can be redeemed at any DC Lottery retailer or other designated claims center.
Be sure to sign the back of your winning DC Lucky for Life ticket and keep it safe until ready to claim. You will need to provide photo ID and your ticket to receive your prize.
If a prize is not claimed within 180 days, the money goes back to the lottery to fund future prizes and operations. So make sure to check your tickets promptly!
Are DC Lucky for Life Winnings Taxable?
Yes, federal and local taxes apply to lottery winnings more than $600. Here are the tax requirements for playing DC Lucky for Life:
- For prizes over $5,000, 24% federal tax withholding applies. This is taken out immediately upon payout.
- DC income tax of 4% or 8.95% also applies for residents. Non-residents pay 8.95% tax.
- For lump sum payments, the DC Lottery withholds taxes automatically.
- For annuity prizes, taxes are assessed annually based on that year’s payments.
Winners are responsible for paying any additional taxes owed when filing returns. You will receive a W2-G form from the Lottery showing the payout and taxes withheld.
It’s a good idea to consult a tax advisor about reducing your tax liability on major lottery winnings through trusts or other strategies. This helps you maximize how much you actually take home.
Is DC Lucky for Life Available in Other States?
Yes, Lucky for Life is a multi-state lottery game currently offered in 25 states and the District of Columbia. The states participating in Lucky for Life are:
| Arkansas | Connecticut | Delaware |
| Florida | Idaho | Indiana |
| Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky |
| Louisiana | Maine | Massachusetts |
| Minnesota | Missouri | Montana |
| Nebraska | New Hampshire | New Jersey |
| New Mexico | New York | North Carolina |
| North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma |
| Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina |
| South Dakota | Tennessee | Vermont |
| West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming |
All participating lotteries contribute to and share in the Lucky for Life prize pool. Tickets cannot be purchased across state lines. You must buy a ticket from the lottery in the particular state where you live or are visiting.
This wide availability across the U.S. helps increase the game’s popularity and jackpot size. The more tickets sold, the more money goes to the prize pools.
Can a Lucky for Life Jackpot Winner Remain Anonymous?
Whether a lottery winner can remain anonymous varies by state. Here are the rules on publicity for DC Lucky for Life winners:
- Jackpot and 2nd prize winners must participate in a news conference and publicity arranged by DC Lottery.
- For all other prizes, DC Lottery will announce the winner’s name but not require further publicity.
- DC law does not authorize anonymity for any prize category.
- Winners’ street addresses and phone numbers are not released publicly.
Some states like Delaware do allow jackpot winners to stay anonymous. But DC and most participating lotteries require full identification of major winners for transparency.
If remaining anonymous is important to you, it may be possible to form a trust through an attorney to claim a DC Lucky for Life prize. This may shield your identity to some degree. Consultation with legal counsel is recommended before winning the lottery.
Should a Lottery Jackpot Winner Take the Lump Sum or Annuity?
For a big lottery win like the Lucky for Life top prize, winners face the choice between an annuity or lump sum payout. Here is an overview of the key considerations:
Lump Sum Payment
- Receive full jackpot amount at once (less taxes).
- Currently about $5.75 million cash for Lucky for Life.
- Can invest the money as you wish.
- Must consider tax implications.
- Risk of losing money through poor investments.
Annuity Payout
- Guaranteed payment of full jackpot over time.
- $1,000 per day for minimum 20 years for Lucky for Life.
- Payments are steady income, no investment decisions needed.
- Payments grow tax-free over time.
- No flexibility or payout if you pass away.
For Lucky for Life, the annuity provides reliable lifetime income few people could equal by investing a lump sum. But the right choice still depends on your financial situation. Consulting financial experts before claiming a jackpot is highly recommended.
Has Anyone in DC Ever Won the Lucky for Life Jackpot?
Yes, there has been one major DC Lucky for Life jackpot winner to date!
In 2017, a Washington, DC resident won the $1,000 a day for life top prize from a Lucky for Life ticket purchased at a liquor store in the city. The winner opted to take the guaranteed annuity payments rather than the lump sum.
This exciting DC jackpot win proves local players really can hit it big playing Lucky for Life right here in the District. The winner beat odds of 1 in over 30 million to match the numbers that fateful day.
While jackpots don’t come around often, DC players have also won many Lucky for Life lower tier prizes over the years. With two drawings a week, each ticket gives you a chance at joining the winners list.
Conclusion
DC Lucky for Life offers an engaging lottery game with prizes ranging from $4 up to $1,000 per day for a lifetime. Matching as few as 2 numbers can win you some money. And matching them all could change your life in an instant.
With jackpots starting at $1 million, Luck for Life combines big payout potential along with great chances at smaller prizes. This lottery is very popular in DC and across participating states. By playing carefully within your entertainment budget, Lucky for Life provides an enjoyable way to try your luck playing to win!