Washington D.C. resident claims top prize on $100,000 Crossword game
What happens when new scratch-off players buy their first instant ticket? Sometimes, they win big! A Washington, D.C. instant ticket novice just enjoyed a winning experience with the $100,000 Crossword game.
“I have been given scratch-offs as gifts and I just decided to buy one and see what happens,” she said. The 39-year-old made her first instant ticket purchase ever while with her father, who had encouraged her to get out to do some shopping and walking. They crossed over into Maryland to shop and the thought popped into her head to buy a scratch-off. The pair stopped at Mead’s Liquors at 5102 Indian Head Highway in Oxon Hill, where she bought one $10 scratch-off — the $100,000 Crossword game.
“To be honest, I didn’t know what to buy or even how to play,” she said, laughing. “My dad said to get the crossword game to enhance my spelling.”
The security officer took the instant ticket home with her and scratched it off. When she looked at the game, she thought it might be a winner, but wasn’t sure. The novice put the instant ticket under her pillow, said a little prayer and didn’t look at the scratch-off again until the next day.
“I looked at the ticket and then had my dad take a look too,” said the winner. “I still called the Lottery’s Claims Center. They were very helpful confirming the win for me.”
The mother of a 20-year-old and her father then headed to Maryland Lottery headquarters in Baltimore to claim the prize. She isn’t sure yet what she will do with her win but does know that she will share the windfall.
“I’ve been taught that you don’t keep your blessings,” she said, smiling. “If you are blessed, it’s your responsibility to bless others.” She plans to do just that once the reality of her big win settles in.
Her lucky retailer is winning big, too. Mead’s Liquors of Prince George’s County earns a $1,000 bonus from the Lottery for selling a $100,000 top-prize winning scratch-off. Players can still seek the two $100,000 top prizes remaining in this game, which went on sale in November 2018. There are also six $10,000 prizes and 14 $1,000 prizes awaiting discovery.