Bowie man wins $100,000 scratch-off prize while dropping off order
A delivery driver for a Bowie restaurant succeeded in getting an order to its destination while the food was still hot despite his stunning discovery of a $100,000 winning scratch-off while en route.
The dedicated employee visited Maryland Lottery headquarters on Monday to claim the prize he won on the Winter Tripler game after stopping at a local store to fulfill a customer’s special request. Friday night found the 46-year-old dispatched to a familiar address, one that he has visited many times over the years.
“This customer prefers a specific snack with her meal, one that we don’t carry,” he said. “I always stop at a store near our restaurant that I know has it.”
Luckily, the Bowie resident’s stop was at Lottery retailer Marlton Liquors in Upper Marlboro. “I scratch tickets once or twice a week, always $10 tickets,” he said. The native of India decided to add a $10 scratch-off to his purchase. He selected the new Winter Tripler game because his favorite $10 instant ticket was not available.
“The customer’s house was very close so I had a moment to quickly scratch the ticket in my car,” he said. “At first, I was disappointed because there were no matches. Then, I found one on the last line.”
After revealing the prize, he sat there, stunned. “My eyes filled with tears. I touched the ceiling of my car, sending thanks after thanks toward Heaven,” he said. Then, he composed himself and completed his delivery. He also finished his shift, delivering food all night long despite his newfound fortune.
“We’re a family at the restaurant, they were depending on me,” he said when Lottery officials asked if the excitement of a $100,000 win might have tempted him to call it a night.
A large part of his $100,000 Winter Tripler win will go to his family in India, the lucky player said. The rest will go to clear debt and toward a down payment on a house. “This will change many lives for the better,” he said. “It will bring much happiness.”
For selling the top-prize scratch-off in the game, Marlton Liquors is also a winner. The Prince George’s County retailer located at 9518 Crain Highway will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Lottery.
The Winter Tripler instant ticket hit store shelves just last week on Oct. 24 and the driver found the first of the game’s four $100,000 top prizes. Winter Tripler is one of five holiday-themed instant tickets on sale this season that players can enter into the Warehouse Dash second-chance promotion. Players enter weekly drawings through Jan. 15 to try to win one of 12 warehouse shopping sprees, thousands in cash prizes or their choice of electronics.