A Salisbury scratch-off player didn’t believe he won $2 million until he actually claimed the prize. And, even then, he was still nervous about it!
The anxious player found his way to the Lottery Winner’s Circle because one of his two $30 scratch-offs was packed with mega luck. The 62-year-old bought a $2,000,000 Fortune scratch-off and a $2,000,000 Mega Bucks game from Eagle Express Mart in Salisbury the day he found his fortune. He scratched the games back in his car.
The first scratch-off, the $2,000,000 Fortune, was not a winner. As he worked on the $2,000,000 Mega Bucks game, however, the Wicomico County resident saw one of his numbers match and then revealed the game’s top prize.
“I had to sit there and get myself together,” said the married father and grandfather. “I kept thinking this has to be one of those prank cards. It surely can’t be real.”
Once the fortunate fella calmed down, he drove home. He didn’t reveal the news to his wife until the next day and she was equally doubtful.
“She doesn’t really play and didn’t quite understand,” said the winner. “I had to do some more research myself, to make sure it was real.”
The utlity worker did just that. But even after going to the website and going over the instant ticket numerous times, he remained doubtful until he arrived at Lottery headquarters and the win was officially confirmed. “You just never know until you see it in writing,” he said.
The happy player shared with Lottery officials that he plans to use some of the winnings to take his family on a couple of vacations, saying that “it’s long overdue.” He also plans to use some of the prize toward his retirement.
Also winning big is the Lottery retailer located at 1312 North Salisbury Boulevard. The home of the $2 million winning scratch-off, Eagle Express Mart earns a $2,000 bonus from the Lottery for selling the top-prize instant ticket.