Robert and Ina Dofflemyer of Dundalk are celebrating the construction worker’s $150,000 Twisted Bingo scratch-off win with home improvements, a new vehicle, retirement savings and gifts for the family. |
Wins top prize on Twisted Bingo instant game
Robert Dofflemyer of Dundalk was relaxing on Sunday afternoon in his backyard camper, watching the Baltimore Ravens wrap up another winning game, until he reached for his set of Maryland Lottery scratch-offs.
The construction employee for JF Brinker & Sons in Baltimore had picked up two Twisted Bingo instant tickets before the game from Merritt Shell in Dundalk. This bingo scratch-off fan loves playing the games because they are more involved to play than regular scratch-offs. The Twisted Bingo game, for example, has eight cards to scratch and match. Robert scratched the first $10 instant ticket and, bingo! He spotted a $150,000 win tucked into the eighth card.
“I had to look at it six times,” said the father of three. He carried the top-prize-winning ticket into his house to find his wife. “He said, ‘Check this ticket, look at the bottom,’ ” Ina said. “He was real calm. I couldn’t believe it!”
The couple began celebrating his biggest win ever with plenty of cheering and jumping and up and down with happiness, Robert said. The clerk at his retail store was next in line to hear the good news and see the winning ticket. “I had to run to the Shell to recheck it on the machine,” said the grandfather. “Then I knew I’d won.”
“They were so happy for him,” Ina said. “He buys lots of tickets there.” They also shared the news with their adult children and four Maryland grandchildren. On Sunday night, they tucked the lucky ticket under an old-fashioned record player to keep it safe until they could claim their prize at Lottery headquarters. “Who would think to look under that record player,” Ina said.
Robert has many plans for spending his prize. Much-needed home improvements – such as a new roof – will get a chunk of the money, the 66-year-old said. Buying a vehicle for Ina, who is retired at age 62 from the manufacturing field, setting money aside for his future retirement and doing something nice for the family and extended family round out his list of spending ideas.
For selling the winning ticket, Merritt Shell at 1521 Merritt Boulevard in Dundalk will receive a $1,000 bonus. Twisted Bingo still has three $150,000 top prizes remaining on the ticket.