Washington D.C. Scratchers Report — May 2026: Best Games, Trends & Strategies
Washington D.C. scratch-off players have 77 active games to choose from this month. The standout news: 2 games have positive ROI — 200X, 20X the Cash. 7 games have lost all top prizes — avoid those. 3 new games launched recently with all prizes intact.
Over the past 31 days, scratch-off games in this state paid out approximately $2.2 million in prizes, averaging $72,287 per day across 77 active games. Extreme 500X Fortune leads in prize activity with $227,950 claimed ($50 ticket). Only 1 top prize remains. Titanium 7s follows with $105,700 in claims, with only 2 top prizes remaining.
Data period: May 1–26, 2026 · 77 active games analyzed · Updated from official Washington D.C. Lottery data
At a Glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Games | 77 |
| Positive ROI Games | 2 |
| Average ROI (All Games) | -28.9% |
| Best Game | 200X ($20) at +12.3% ROI |
| Games to Avoid (All Top Prizes Gone) | 7 games |
| New Releases | 3 games |
Top 10 Best Value Games
These Washington D.C. scratch-off games currently offer the highest Return on Investment (ROI) — meaning they return the most money per dollar spent based on remaining prizes.
| # | Game | Price | ROI | EV | Top Prize | Top Left |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 200X | $20 | +12.3% | $22.46 | $250,000 | 2 |
| 2 | 20X the Cash | $5 | +4.9% | $5.24 | $50,000 | 2 |
| 3 | One-Word Crossword | $3 | -14.1% | $2.58 | $30,000 | 2 |
| 4 | Platinum Diamond Spectacular | $20 | -16.1% | $16.77 | $250,000 | 1 |
| 5 | $1,000,000 Money Maker | $30 | -17.4% | $24.77 | $680,000 | 2 |
| 6 | Fortune | $20 | -18.4% | $16.32 | $250,000 | 2 |
| 7 | Full of $5,000s | $20 | -18.4% | $16.31 | $250,000 | 1 |
| 8 | 300X | $30 | -18.6% | $24.43 | $680,000 | 1 |
| 9 | Titanium 7s | $30 | -19.5% | $24.16 | $1,000,000 | 2 |
| 10 | Ultimate Riches | $30 | -20.8% | $23.76 | $680,000 | 1 |
Positive ROI highlight: 200X at +12.3% ROI means every $20 ticket returns an average of $22.46 in expected value — a statistical profit of $2.46 per ticket. This is rare and temporary — as prizes are claimed, ROI will drop.
Games to Avoid: All Top Prizes Claimed
These 7 games have had all top prizes claimed. Their expected value has dropped significantly, making them the worst value options in Washington D.C. right now.
| Game | Price | ROI | Original Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash Blast | $10 | -35.1% | $100,000 |
| Break the Bank | $5 | -36.8% | $50,000 |
| Emerald Green 8s | $5 | -38.8% | $50,000 |
| Lady Luck Doubler | $2 | -43.3% | $5,000 |
| Triple 777 | $10 | -46.9% | $100,000 |
| Frosty Fun | $1 | -48.1% | $1,000 |
| Triple Tripler | $1 | -53.4% | $3,333 |
When a game’s top prize is claimed, its expected value drops — often by 5–15 percentage points of ROI. These games are still playable, but you’re paying for a prize pool that no longer includes the biggest payouts. Learn more about how top prize claims affect value →
Top Prize Watch List
These games have 3 or fewer top prizes remaining. When claimed, expect a measurable drop in value.
| Game | Price | Top Prize | Remaining | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extreme 500X Fortune | $50 | $1,520,000 | 1 | -24.2% |
| Titanium 7s | $30 | $1,000,000 | 2 | -19.5% |
| $1,000,000 Money Maker | $30 | $680,000 | 2 | -17.4% |
| 300X | $30 | $680,000 | 1 | -18.6% |
| Ultimate Riches | $30 | $680,000 | 1 | -20.8% |
| 200X | $20 | $250,000 | 2 | +12.3% |
| Platinum Diamond Spectacular | $20 | $250,000 | 1 | -16.1% |
| Fortune | $20 | $250,000 | 2 | -18.4% |
| Full of $5,000s | $20 | $250,000 | 1 | -18.4% |
| 100X the Cash | $20 | $250,000 | 1 | -23.3% |
| 200X | $20 | $250,000 | 1 | -26.2% |
| Fire & Ice | $10 | $100,000 | 2 | -21.9% |
33 games are down to the last top prize. The largest unclaimed top prize in Washington D.C. is $1,520,000 on Extreme 500X Fortune ($50 ticket).
New Releases
Washington D.C. launched 3 new games recently. New games start with all prizes intact, making them a solid starting point for value-conscious players.
| Game | Price | ROI | Top Prize | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC 5 Scratcher | $5 | -28.3% | $55,000 | 1 in 3.2 |
| DC 4 Scratcher | $4 | -31.2% | $45,000 | 1 in 3.69 |
| DC 3 Scratcher | $3 | -32.6% | $35,000 | 1 in 3.84 |
Smart Strategy: Best Combos
Our alternative strategy analysis found that some Washington D.C. games can be beaten by buying a combination of cheaper tickets with higher total expected value.
Top recommendation: At the $10 price point, buy 2x 20X the Cash ($5) instead — that’s +97.4% more expected value for the same spend.
| Price Tier | Games Beaten | Best Combo | EV Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| $4 | 0/1 | 1x One-Word Crossword ($3) + 1x Frosty Fun ($1) | +12.5% |
| $5 | 0/30 | 1x One-Word Crossword ($3) + 1x MONOPOLY ($2) | +10.5% |
| $10 | 0/17 | 2x 20X the Cash ($5) | +46% |
| $20 | 0/6 | 4x 20X the Cash ($5) | +32.2% |
| $30 | 0/4 | 1x 200X ($20) + 2x 20X the Cash ($5) | +35.7% |
| $50 | 0/1 | 2x 200X ($20) + 2x 20X the Cash ($5) | +46.1% |
Combo strategies work best when there’s a significant value gap between price tiers. Learn more about why splitting your budget often wins →
Price Tier Breakdown
How does value distribute across Washington D.C. price points?
| Price | Games | Avg ROI | Best Game | Best ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | 3 | -52.6% | Frosty Fun | -48.1% |
| $2 | 8 | -38.4% | MONOPOLY | -34.1% |
| $3 | 7 | -31.2% | One-Word Crossword | -14.1% |
| $4 | 1 | -31.2% | DC 4 Scratcher | -31.2% |
| $5 | 30 | -28.2% | 20X the Cash | +4.9% |
| $10 | 17 | -27.6% | Fire & Ice | -21.9% |
| $20 | 6 | -15.0% | 200X | +12.3% |
| $30 | 4 | -19.1% | $1,000,000 Money Maker | -17.4% |
| $50 | 1 | -24.2% | Extreme 500X Fortune | -24.2% |
The $20 tier offers the best average value at -15.0% ROI, while the $1 tier is the weakest at -52.6%. The gap between best and worst tiers is 38 percentage points.
How to Use This Data
- Check live rankings: This report is a snapshot. For real-time data, visit the Washington D.C. scratch-off rankings page — updated daily.
- Understand the math: If ROI and EV are new concepts, start with The Math of Scratchers guide.
- Compare nationally: See how Washington D.C. stacks up against other states in our National Scratchers Report.
Washington D.C. Lottery Quick Facts
- Official website: dclottery.com
- State tax on winnings: 8.95% state tax (plus 24% federal withholding on prizes over $5,000)
- Active scratch-off games: 77 (as of May 2026)
Related Resources
- Washington D.C. Scratch-Off Games — Live Rankings
- The Math of Scratchers: Odds vs. EV vs. ROI Explained
- Why Buying 2× $5 Tickets Often Beats One $10 Ticket
- Fastest Selling Scratchers in America
- April 2026 National Scratchers Report
- Our Full Methodology
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only. All data is sourced from official state lottery websites and is updated regularly, but we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy. Lottery games are games of chance, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Please play responsibly and never spend more than you can afford to lose. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.