(Aug. 19, 2014) A Waldorf man’s determination to win a major Maryland Lottery scratch-off prize finally put him in the Winner’s Lounge at Lottery headquarters to celebrate a $50,000 instant ticket payoff.
“I’ve been playing pretty hot and heavy since February,” he said. A near miss on a $50,000 win at his favorite Lottery retailer set the National Weather Service employee on a mission to find a top prize. His favorite $5 scratch-off was then and continues to be Red Hot Riches, although it was only months later when he bought a Show me the Money scratch-off that fate answered his plea with the $50,000 win.
His quest began after the father of seven adult children went into his lucky retailer to cash a $500 Red Hot Riches win. “I recycle my winnings,” he said, and so he was dismayed to learn his favorite ticket was temporarily sold out. The clerk suggested he try a $5 Monopoly scratch-off, which was so new it was still wrapped in plastic and just then going on sale in the store. The Charles County resident declined, only to return to the store days later to see a “$50,000 Winning Ticket Sold Here” sign. Of course, the second Monopoly ticket in that pack was the winner, he said.
“It should have been mine,” our player said. Determined to win big, the IT support worker began playing Red Hot Riches scratch-offs regularly. He finally found his luck at Big Mouth Beer, Wine and Liquors at 2175 Crain Highway in Waldorf when he bought the Show me the Money instant ticket and scratched off a $50,000 win.
“I almost fell out of my chair,” he said. His wife works for a national clothing retailer and came home just as he finished hiding the ticket in the safe. They took it back to the retailer to confirm the win and returned home to tuck the ticket into the safe for the weekend.
“I was in awe,” he said. The happy man plans to pay off his wife’s vehicle with his prize, pay bills and take her on a cruise or tropical vacation. For selling the winning ticket, the retailer will receive a $500 bonus from the Lottery.
Source: Maryland Lottery