Winner chooses $2.1 million cash option
The Maryland Lottery’s latest Multi-Match jackpot winner arrived at Lottery headquarters today, nattily-dressed with a giant smile. The Laurel man, who brought along his son and daughter, is the sixth Multi-Match jackpot winner of the year. The drawing had an estimated annuity value of $2.8 million, and a cash option of $2.1 million. The lucky winner, who opted to remain anonymous, chose the cash option.
The winner, a Nigerian native, stopped by his local Lottery retailer on Friday morning to get the winning Multi-Match numbers from the previous night’s drawing. After checking and rechecking the list of numbers – then standing for a few moments of stunned silence – he called his wife to tell her the good news. He knew that the jackpot was larger than usual, but it wasn’t until later that he realized the ticket was worth $2.8 million. The family man had already planned to host his wife’s 59th birthday party with family and friends that evening. Needless to say, the couple found another reason to celebrate at the party.
The 61-year-old auto exporter will use the money to invest in his auto business and save for his grandchildren’s future. The lucky winner told Lottery officials, “It just hasn’t hit me yet. I didn’t really believe it until I arrived here to see it in writing”
The winning Multi-Match ticket was purchased at the Finish Line Liquor store, located at 3480 Ft. Meade Rd. in Laurel. The retailer will receive a $2,800 commission for selling the winning ticket.