Delmar Lottery Ticket Purchase Pays $50,000 after Player’s Confusion

“Gabby,” of Wicomico County on the Eastern Shore, plans to put her $50,000 Lottery winnings in savings and keep on playing.

Wicomico County player initially thought prize was $5

She thought she was cashing out a $5 win on a Maryland Lottery scratch-off, but the clerk told her “No dice.” The Wicomico County resident was holding a $50,000-winning Deluxe Crossword 7th Edition scratch-off that can only be claimed at Lottery headquarters.

“I thought it was a $5 win,” said “Gabby,” who is using an alias to relate her winning story. The nickname comes from a combination of the winner’s sense of whimsy and her workplace chattiness. After the clerk told “Gabby” the scratch-off was worth $50,000, she responded, “It’s not true.”

The customer in line behind her said, “You need to travel.”

A few days later, while claiming her prize at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore, “Gabby” said she may spend some of her prize traveling but only to close destinations. Western Maryland or Ocean City are possibilities. “Gabby” says she hasn’t been to the Atlantic resort at a time of year when she could wear shorts in many years. Most of the prize, however, will end up in her bank account.

The lucky lady has played Lottery games on and off for many years, and has a fondness for crossword-themed instant tickets. The $5 game went on sale in September 2022 and has one top prize remaining along with five $10,000 prizes.

Sharing in her good fortune is Delmar Market at 403 Bistate Boulevard in Delmar. The Wicomico County store receives a $500 bonus from the Lottery for selling “Gabby” the $50,000 top-prize winning scratch-off.