The least-bad Washington, D.C. scratch-off at every price, ranked by real after-tax value. Updated October 1, 2026.
Almost every scratch-off loses money on average — these lose the least after the lump-sum cut and federal + Washington, D.C. taxes, and still have a top prize left to win. Hard-to-find tickets are flagged so you don't waste a trip.
Quick 7s returns about $0.67 per $1 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 3 of 3 $777 top prizes left — the best of 2 $1 games in Washington, D.C..
$100 Loaded! returns about $1.26 per $2 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 1 of 2 $5K top prize left — the best of 2 $2 games in Washington, D.C..
✅ Positive EV — even after lump sum & taxes
DC 3 Scratcher returns about $3.13 per $3 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 2 of 2 $35K top prizes left — the best of 1 $3 games in Washington, D.C..
DC 5 Scratcher returns about $4.12 per $5 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 2 of 2 $55K top prizes left — the best of 7 $5 games in Washington, D.C..
100X returns about $7.47 per $10 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 2 of 2 $100K top prizes left — the best of 5 $10 games in Washington, D.C..
Money returns about $14.66 per $20 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 3 of 3 $250K top prizes left — the best of 1 $20 games in Washington, D.C..
Best & worst Washington, D.C. scratch-offs, with full odds →
Best Buys in other states: Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Texas · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin
18+ · Play responsibly · Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER