“Scratch-off King” of Silver Spring claimed this $30 game’s first $2,000,000 top prize. |
Fan finds big win on $2,000,000 Richer game
While some Marylanders experience the blues on Monday mornings as they start the workweek, a scratch-off fan from Silver Spring enjoyed an infusion of green into his day. The “Scratch-off King” arrived at Maryland Lottery headquarters in Baltimore early Monday morning to claim the first $2,000,000 top prize on the $2,000,000 Richer scratch-off game.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw the win,” said the loyal player, who claimed the cash option for the prize he won over the weekend. “I guess you can say it was my lucky day.”
The “Scratch-off King” set Lottery luck in motion when he decided to meet friends at a local bar Saturday afternoon. On the way, he stopped at the Cheese & Wine Shop in Silver Spring, where he likes to play Lottery games. At first, the 34-year-old couldn’t decide which scratch-off to select. When someone mentioned, “Go big or go home,” the lucky player did just that and bought the $30 $2,000,000 Richer game that went on sale statewide on Feb. 25.
While scratching off the instant ticket, he noticed one of its winning numbers matched one of his game numbers. Then, he revealed the $2 million prize beneath the number. Not only did he have a winning scratch-off, he also had the first top-prize winning scratch-off in the game! “Scratch-off King” immediately went to the cashier to scan the instant ticket to verify his win. Even the cashier could not believe his Lottery luck!
The first person the happy player called was his brother. “I didn’t believe what he was saying to me and thought it was a joke or a prank,” said the brother, who accompanied his sibling to Lottery headquarters to claim the prize. “When he brought it over to show me, I was in shock.”
The Montgomery County man plans to save most of his prize for the future and share some of the windfall with family members.
Joining “Scratch-off King” in celebration is the lucky retailer! For selling a top-prize winning instant ticket in the game, the Cheese & Wine Shop located at 2501 Ennalls Avenue earns a $2,000 bonus.