Halethorpe resident wins top prize on Amazing 8s scratch-off
A longtime carpenter/locksmith was all smiles as he arrived at Maryland Lottery headquarters in Baltimore after unlocking a $50,000 prize in the Amazing 8s scratch-off game.
The Halethorpe resident was following his system for buying scratch-offs when he became a big Lottery winner for the first time. The 50-year-old only purchases only up to three instant tickets from any one location. One of the three Amazing 8s scratch-offs he purchased at a Baltimore 7-Eleven rewarded him with the $5 ticket’s top prize.
“I’ve won about $600 playing Pick 3 a couple (of) times but with scratch-offs, I’ve always found I either break even or end up a few dollars ahead,” the winner said.
As the loyal player scratched his Amazing 8s ticket, he was shocked to see how many of his numbers matched the ticket’s winning numbers.
“It blew my mind … I kept saying, ‘This is a mistake.’ I was so stunned I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I thought maybe the guy at the 7-Eleven who sold me the ticket played a trick on me and gave me a fake ticket.”
The ticket was, indeed, real, and the Baltimore County resident now has some much-needed cash. The lucky winner has several medical bills he can now pay off, thanks to his Lottery prize. He also plans to buy a car and share some of his prize with family members.
The retailer benefits from the winner’s good luck as well. For selling the winning ticket, 7-Eleven #11537 at 1313 Francis Avenue in Baltimore will receive a $500 bonus from the Maryland Lottery.
The Amazing 8s ticket went on sale June 22, and this was the second $50,000 top prize claimed. There are five more $50,000 prizes and 17 $8,888 prizes waiting to be found at Lottery retailers across the state.