Douglas Romero Yanes gave a thumbs-up after claiming a $1 million top prize on the Diamond Spectacular scratch-off. (Photo courtesy of Md. Lottery)BALTIMORE (Sept. 23, 2016)—Douglas Romero Yanes began Sept. 20 as a restaurant worker with a lot of dreams. By day's end, the Maryland Lottery's newest millionaire had the money to make his dreams come true.
His life-changing scratch-off purchase came after he finished work on that lucky Tuesday. Douglas bought a $20 Diamond Spectacular ticket at Rodman's Discount Store in Silver Spring. He scratched off the ticket in the store and knew he won something, but even after scanning the ticket on one of the store's ticket checkers he was still uncertain about the amount of his prize.
When the cashier scanned the ticket for him, she had great news! The Silver Spring resident had to claim his prize at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore because he won $1 million!
"I got so excited, I was just on my knees, praising the Lord. I just thanked God for that," said Douglas, who was joined by his father as he claimed the prize two days later.
The 31-year-old Montgomery County resident said he plays scratch-offs and Keno occasionally. His largest Lottery prize until now was a $500 win earlier this year on a $1 scratch-off. He also once landed a $200 Keno prize. The $1 million Diamond Spectacular prize is life changing, he said.
"I'd like to buy a house and think about investing," Douglas said. "I want to find something good to put the money toward."
The Montgomery County retailer is a winner as well. For selling the winning $1 million top-prize scratch-off in the game, the store located at 4301 Randolph Road will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Lottery.
The Diamond Spectacular ticket launched in May, and one of its $1 million top prizes is still unclaimed. The game still has four $50,000 prizes, 16 $10,000 prizes and thousands of other unclaimed prizes ranging from $20 to $5,000.