BALTIMORE (July 22, 2016)—A Clinton retiree is counting his lucky stars and his lucky dollars after winning the $100,000 top prize on a $100,000 Gold Rush scratch-off.
The 68-year-old, who elected to remain anonymous, decided to purchase his lucky ticket at his local Lottery retailer, Tucker's Liquors, after seeing the number 243 on the serial number for a previous Gold Rush instant ticket he bought before his big win.
"The number 243 represented a leap year for me, which is also close to my birthday," he said. "That was why I decided to buy the ticket. I'm thrilled I listened to myself."
The father and grandfather said that he never scratches off the entire ticket unless he wins. "At first, I was skeptical about my win and then I went to scan it and it directed me to come here to Lottery headquarters."
The lucky Prince George's County player said that he feels so blessed that he won the game's top prize. "I can now help my three adult children out and pay a few of my grandkids' college tuition," he said. He plans to save the rest of his windfall for his retirement.
The $100,000 Gold Rush instant ticket debuted in January and has two of its five top-tier $100,000 prizes remaining. Part of a family of scratch-off games, this instant ticket sells for $10. There are also $1, $2 and $5 Gold Rush scratch-off games on sale.
For selling the top-prize ticket in the game, Tucker's Liquors located at 8100 old Alexandria Road in Clinton will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Lottery.