“Dumb luck” is how a Maryland Lottery player from Ellicott City described his $50,000 win on a Lucky 777 scratch-off when he claimed the prize Aug. 8 at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore.
The same goes for a $10,000 scratch-off win he scored earlier this year on a ticket purchased out of the same vending machine in the same location, the Shell gas station at 5651 Waterloo Road in Ellicott City.
“I play the larger tickets because the odds are better,” he said, specifically noting his preference for $30 and $50 games.
“But most of my wins come on the $20 tickets,” he added.
He bought the ticket on an evening when he was headed to have dinner with one of his daughters and was in a bit of a hurry. He originally planned to buy two crossword themed games, but ended up with the single Lucky 777 ticket as a result of being pressed for time. An example, he says, of the dumb luck behind his win.
Most of the winnings will end up in a savings account, but some will pay for a trip to Disney World with a daughter and her young family.
Though he’s defied the odds in 2025, the winner says he plans to continue playing the Lottery, pretty much the same as always.
“My expectations have not changed. I have no expectation of winning. At best, I’ll break even,” he said.
Doing better than breaking even is the Shell station where he bought the ticket, which receives a bonus of $500, equal to 1% of the prize.
