Lucky “Moe” from Essex claimed a $100,000 scratch-off prize. |
A disabled U.S. Army veteran who hadn’t purchased Maryland Lottery scratch-offs in six months decided to try his luck again with two $10 games – and it paid off to the tune of a $100,000 win! One of the All the Money instant tickets he purchased on a whim delivered its top prize to the Essex resident.
“Moe” said he paused his play at a time when his biggest wins were at the $500 level. The 31-year-old isn’t sure what inspired him to buy the two scratch-offs after he filled up his gas tank at Essex Fuel Mart, other than realizing they were new — to him. The All the Money game went on sale statewide on Sept. 24.
The federal agency employee played the scratch-offs at the store. Astonished, he checked the $100,000 top-prize winner on the store’s ticket checker. “I was thinking, ‘This machine is broken,’ ” “Moe” said. The Essex retailer’s clerk helped him out and confirmed the win. He added, “I still thought it was a fake until he gave me the slip” showing the scratch-off prize.
“Moe,” as he nicknamed himself, has kept his big win a secret from everyone. “No one is going to know, either,” he said with a smile. The Baltimore County resident plans to pay off his truck with his windfall, pay his rent through the end of his lease and put the bulk of the prize into savings.
The All the Money game remains packed with prizes. Players can look for five more unclaimed $100,000 top prizes, 19 more $10,000 prizes along with thousands of others ranging from $10 to $1,000.
“Moe’s” lucky retailer is also in the money. Essex Fuel Mart at 220 Eastern Boulevard in Essex earns a $1,000 bonus from the Lottery for selling a $100,000 top-prize scratch-off. The bonus is equal to 1 percent of the prize.