Fort Washington’s “Big Dipper” flashes a big smile behind the big check after his big $100,000 top-prize win. |
Fort Washington player got lucky scratching Gold Rush X50 instant ticket
Even a few days after he realized he won a $100,000 top prize on a Gold Rush X50 scratch-off, “Big Dipper” of Fort Washington was still trying to wrap his head around the magnitude of his good fortune.
“I didn’t really believe in this Lottery stuff,” he said June 24 after claiming his prize at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore. “I’m a believer now.”
The 18-year-old, who works in the hospitality industry and attends Delaware State University, said he started buying Maryland Lottery scratch-offs on a whim on paydays. The Prince George’s County resident bought three instant tickets on June 21 while shopping at Giant #338 at 7025 Berry Road in Accokeek. The first scratch-off, sadly, was not a winner. The second one carried a $50 prize. The third $10 scratch-off delivered the big score.
“Finally, I’ll get to pay off school!” said the happy winner. He also plans to buy a computer and share his good fortune with his mom, dad and sister. Now a believer in Lottery luck, “Big Dipper” said he plans to continue playing, but at the same casual pace. “I’m not going to go crazy,” he said.
As for celebrations, he took a day off work, claimed his prize in the morning and was then ready to go home and take a nap to catch up on sleep.
Sharing in “Big Dipper’s” good luck is the Giant grocery store. The Accokeek store picks up a bonus of $1,000, equal to 1 percent of the prize, for selling a top-prize winning scratch-off.
Gold Rush×50 went on sale May 20 and immediately shot to the top spot on the Maryland Lottery Top 40 Scratch-Off chart. Six of the $100,000 top prizes remain unclaimed after “Big Dipper’s” big score, along with dozens of other prizes of $1,000 to $50,000.