Scratch-off fan plans to take a vacation to visit his grandchildren
Winning $100,000 on a Maryland Lottery scratch-off ticket was a new experience for a Prince George’s County grandfather, who became so excited his adult son urged him to “calm down.”
“I just couldn’t stop talking,” the winner said with a smile, adding that he plays scratch-offs regularly. He often visits a Silver Spring 7-Eleven to buy a beverage and scratch-offs but never experienced the kind of luck he found playing the $10 $100,000 Crossword 6th Edition game.
The Hyattsville man usually buys two or three instant tickets to play at home. On the day Lottery luck came to call, he bought two $100,000 Crossword scratch-offs and took his time playing them. “It’s hard to figure out sometime,” he said of crossword instant tickets, but he prefers playing each game rather than checking for a win using the game’s prize check QR code.
The retiree often uses a lucky dime to scratch off his instant tickets. The first game was not a winner. That second game, however, revealed a top prize. “I was so excited,” he said, adding that he immediately tried to share news of his big win.
His son, who was visiting his parents at the time, came into the room, saw his dad’s excitement and urged him, “Calm down, calm down.” While the son doesn’t play scratch-offs, the winner’s wife does and she verified the big win and joined in the celebration.
The grandfather of two said he and his wife will probably put the prize into their savings and may take a nice vacation to visit their grandchildren.
The lucky 7-Eleven that sold him the winning scratch-off was #23696 located at 650 East University Boulevard in Silver Spring. For its role in selling a $50,000 top-prize winning scratch-off, the Montgomery County retailer will receive a $500 bonus from the Lottery.
The $100,000 Crossword Sixth Edition game went on sale in August 2022 and has two $100,000 top prizes remaining unclaimed along with six $10,000 prizes. Smaller prizes range from $10 to $1,000.