Lucky Lunch Break Puts $30,000 in Lottery Player’s Pocket

Nathaniel McFadden - Bonus Crossword_webLook who had a lucky lunch break! Nathaniel McFadden of Baltimore won $30,000 playing a Bonus Crossword scratch-off.

Baltimore man wins top prize on Bonus Crossword scratch-off

Nathaniel McFadden of Baltimore certainly enjoyed a profitable lunch break the day he bought gas and his favorite Maryland Lottery scratch-off, the $3 Bonus Crossword game.

“I found that I really like it because it takes a little time to play,” said the 64-year-old.

Nathaniel bought only one scratch-off at the Patapsco Citgo in Baltimore and set it aside to enjoy a few days later. “My wife and I got so shocked,” he said. “It took us a while to figure out that we had won the big $30,000 prize.”

Married for more than 30 years, the couple fretted that they might lose the ticket before they could claim the prize at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore. They signed the back of the scratch-off and then Nathaniel hid it in the pocket of his favorite trousers.

“He actually wore the pants for a few days with the ticket in it,” said his wife, chuckling.

What will they do with their winnings? They plan to splurge on a June trip to Georgia they had already scheduled so they can visit family members and friends. They will spend the rest of the prize on bills.

The Bonus Crossword game still has five $30,000 top-prizes and a dozen $5,000 second-tier prizes. Players can scan or enter the ticket’s code to enjoy extended play on their smartphones or personal computers. Extended play can lead to prizes of coupons ranging from $2 to $20 good for Lottery scratch-off purchases and awards of My Lottery Rewards points ranging from 10 to 200.

For selling the top-prize ticket, Patapsco Citgo at 900 E. Patapsco Avenue in Baltimore receives a $300 bonus from the Lottery.