Frederick man wins $1 million prize playing Show Me $1,000,000! game
A scratch-off enthusiast from Frederick realized extreme luck with the number “1” this past weekend. The 73-year-old went out to a local store to put air in his car tire, which led to his purchase of one Show Me $1,000,000! scratch-off and his $1 million top-prize win.
The lucky player first stopped at an area High’s store for air, but the machine was out of service. He then drove to Sheetz #704 located at 7301 Executive Way in Frederick to fill up his tire. While doing so, the Frederick County resident thought about how he’s had decent luck playing the $20 Show Me $1,000,000! scratch-off and decided to go into the store to purchase one.
To his surprise, the instant ticket he chose was also the first one in the pack. When he scratched off the game, one of his numbers matched the winning number “1.” He then revealed a $1 million prize underneath the matching number.
“My first thought was that it was $100,000,” said the winner. “But as I looked closer, I realized it was $1 million.”
After revealing the win while sitting in his car, the excited player went straight home to show the lucky scratch-off to his wife. “She didn’t believe it until I showed her the ticket,” he said. “She just cried and cried.”
The father, grandfather and great-grandfather chose not to tell his kids and their kids of his Lottery luck. While claiming the $1 million prize this week, he told Lottery officials he plans to help them as needed but not say where the money is coming from. The retired milling company employee, who still works part time in the industry, said he’d also like to put some money toward a house he’s having built. Whatever is left, the winner will save for whenever he fully retires.
This was the third $1 million top prize claimed on the Show Me $1,000,000! game. There are three more remaining, as well as four $50,000 prizes, 61 $10,000 prizes and over 690,000 prizes between $40 and $5,000.
The Sheetz location that sold the winning top-prize scratch-off can celebrate, too. The Frederick Lottery retailer will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Lottery for its role in the big win.
