Claims $10,000 prize on Royal Gems scratch-off
A 61-year-old Baltimore-area man who added a Maryland Lottery scratch-off to his grocery purchases found a $10,000 gem of a win hiding on a Royal Gems instant ticket.
The Parkville resident stopped off at Safeway #1880 at 8858 Waltham Woods Road in Carney to buy a few things for supper. He picked up the $20 Royal Gems instant ticket to scratch off before dinner. To his surprise, the scratch-off fan emerged from the dinner table $10,000 richer.
“As I started scratching the ticket, I noticed right away that it said that I had at least won a few hundred dollars,” he said. “I had no idea that the amount on the ticket would add up to $10,000.”
The excited winner, who has owned his own carryout food business for over 20 years, said his biggest previous top scratch-off win was $1,000 discovered several years ago. “I like scratch-offs because it helps to pass the time away and I can win money.”
The loyal player told Lottery officials that he’d spend part of his prize on bills and will put the rest into a savings account. The Royal Gems scratch-off still has a top-tier $1 million prize awaiting discovery along with two $50,000 prizes and nine $10,000 prizes.