Beltsville Player’s Switch to $5 Scratch-off Buy Pays $50,000

Power Spot Multiplier has four more $50,000 top prizes

He planned to buy a $10 Maryland Lottery scratch-off, the Prince George’s County resident said, but there were none in stock at the convenience store. Instead, he bought a $5 Power Spot Multiplier game and wound up winning its $50,000 top prize.

The 50-year-old told Lottery officials that he is not particular about what instant tickets he plays. The Beltsville resident decides on the fly based on what looks good at the time.

“It’s fun,” he said, explaining that he plays “just for a hobby.” In the past, he’s picked up a few small wins “but not this kind of money.” His biggest previous win was $1,000, so the $50,000 hit was a big surprise. While not life-changing, he said of the prize, “It helps!”

Beyond taking his wife out for a nice dinner, the lucky player said he plans to put some of the windfall toward bills and some will go into his savings account.

He bought the hot instant ticket at 7-Eleven #36471 at 2000 University Boulevard in Hyattsville. The Prince George’s County store receives a bonus of $500 from the Lottery for selling a top-prize winning scratch-off. The bonus is equal to 1% of the prize.

The Power Spot Multiplier game went on sale Sept. 19 with eight prizes at the top $50,000 level. His win leaves another five top prizes up for grabs along with 10 $5,000 prizes and others ranging from $5 to $1,000.