For the first time in 18 months, the District of Columbia Lottery will soon have a dedicated supply of scratch-off tickets.
A spokesman for the city's chief financial officer said Friday that the city has entered into new contracts with two of the three North American companies that print instant tickets. The first new tickets will go on sale on Wednesday. The city plans to use local firms for related services like marketing and warehousing.
The D.C. Council rejected the city's last instant-ticket contract in July 2013 because not enough of the deal went to local businesses as required by city law. The city's ticket supply dwindled, resulting in $16 million in lost revenue.
A local company is still protesting the city's previous bid solicitation for instant ticket services.