Claims first $1 million top prize on Black instant ticket
A 61-year-old grocery shopper who decided to buy a Maryland Lottery scratch-off with the cash she saved using coupons bagged a fortune! She won $1 million on the Black scratch-off, claiming the first top prize on this game.
The Gaithersburg woman purchased the $20 ticket at Wegmans #56 in Germantown. A retired educator, she prefers playing the Lottery’s $20 scratch-offs and has a purchasing technique.
“I always choose the $20 games that are in the top left corner of the display case,” she said. “And, I use the money saved from using coupons to purchase the scratch-offs.”
The loyal player typically buys just one $20 scratch-off at a time. However, on the day Lottery luck came her way, the first ticket failed to win. The determined Montgomery County resident bought the next Black ticket on the roll and took it to her car to scratch. “I knew I won something when I saw the diamond symbol, but was blown away when I saw how much,” said the winner, smiling.
The fortunate player chose not to share her great news with anyone until she arrived home and told her husband. The 61-year-old retiree double-checked the ticket for his wife and was so excited that they high-fived on the big win! Later, they put the instant ticket in a safe deposit box until they could claim their prize at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore.
The mother of one adult son, our winner waited a week before claiming her prize so she could consult with an accountant and lawyer. She and her retired husband plan to spend the prize helping family members who are in need and investing the rest of the windfall.
Sharing in the win is Wegmans #56 located at 20600 Seneca Meadows Parkway in Germantown. For selling the top-prize ticket, the lucky retailer will receive a $1,000 bonus. The Black scratch-off game still has two $1 million top prizes remaining and three $50,000 prizes.