Protect Your Play

Playing with the DC Lottery fun and knowing how to protect yourself makes sense. Follow these Dos and Don’ts to maximize your fun and protect yourself while playing.

DO: Sign your ticket upon purchase. The person who signs the ticket owns it.*

DON’T: Post photos of a winning ticket on social media before redeeming it. The photo could show information someone else could use to claim your prize.

DO: Make use of self-service scanning devices available at every retail and on our website. Don’t rely on someone else to tell you if your ticket is a winner.

DON’T: Place your ticket in anyone else’s hands without knowing what it’s worth.

DO: Check the ticket you bought before you leave the store to confirm it’s the game you want, the numbers you want, and the drawing(s) you want.

DON’T: Send anyone money or give personal information to someone who contacts you claiming you’ve won the lottery. These types of requests are associated with fake lottery scams.

DO: Know the rules for claiming a winning ticket before the prize expires.

An easy way to remember how to protect yourself is by using these four short reminders: Sign it. Hold it. Scan it. Know it.

* Legal Reminder: One owner per ticket. One signature per ticket. "When a ticket is signed in the designated area for "signature," it is owned by the person whose signature appears in the designated area."

Learn more about 30 DCMR sec. 500 "Lottery Tickets" here.

Photo Showing Where to Sign Your Ticket

 

Check Your Ticket

The ticket checker is an immediate, independent, and private way to find out if your ticket is a winner. Players can check their own tickets for wins. Just insert the barcode of your ticket into the scanner on the Ticket Checker, Win Station, or MP Terminal Machine. If your ticket is a winner, “WINNER” will be displayed in the reader window.

Ticket Checker Win Station MP Terminal Machine
Photo of a Ticket Scanner
Photo of a DC Lottery "Win Station"
Photo of a DC Lottery MP Terminal Machine

Validate Your Ticket

Ask for your ticket validation receipt when cashing a winning ticket at a DC Lottery retailer location. The receipt will confirm your winning ticket and the amount of the win. You can also view your win on the Customer Display Unit located at the DC Lottery retailer terminal.

Customer Display Unit Ticket Validation Receipt
Customer Display Unit
Ticket Validation Receipt

 

Claim Your Prize

The DC Lottery and its agents require a 100% ID check for claims of $600 or more. Winners at this level are required to present two forms of identification: a primary and a secondary.

Primary Identification

Bring one of the following:

  • Driver’s license
  • State-issued identification or non-driver's license
  • United States passport

Secondary Identification

  • Social Security card

Names on both forms of identification must perfectly match.

Cash in someone's hands

Prevent and Report Fraud

If someone calls you saying, “You’re a winner,” and you haven’t played—you haven’t won. The DC Lottery will never ask players to send in money to claim a prize. This is a scam.

Report any suspicious activities to the Federal Trade Commission, the DC Metropolitan Police Department's Financial Crimes and Fraud Unit, or the DC Lottery’s Security team by phone at 202-645-9009 or email at dclbsecurity2@dc.gov.

Persons who alter or attempt to forge or alter tickets are subject to criminal prosecution.

Learn more about 30 DCMR sec. 502 "Ticket Responsibility" here.

Man on Cell Phone