Pennsylvania Man ‘Takes a Chance,’ Enjoys $10,000 Lottery Win

Retired coal miner claims prize on Instant Millionaire scratch-off

192-Instant-Millionaire-ITVM_P4-greenA retired coal miner from Pennsylvania who might be in search of a new hobby has $10,000 to spend on something fun, thanks to a lucky Maryland Lottery scratch-off.

The Cherry Tree, Pa., resident, who said he plays Lottery games occasionally, was in Maryland visiting his son a couple of weeks ago when he decided to try his luck with a $20 Instant Millionaire scratch-off. He purchased the ticket from a vending machine at Wawa #554-E at 5833 Ballenger Creek Pike in Frederick, scratched it off in the store, and needed a bit of help to determine that he’d won a $10,000 prize.

“I wasn’t sure, and I said ‘I can’t believe it,’ ” he said. “I took it to the person working there and they confirmed it. I don’t play very often. Once in a while, I like to take a chance.”

The winner said he doesn’t have any special plans for the money, but he might have time for a new hobby after recently selling his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

“I’m done riding,” he said with a smile. “I’ll probably just put it in the bank, maybe use it for some home improvements.”

The Instant Millionaire ticket was launched in February with three top prizes of $1 million. One of those $1 million prizes is still waiting to be found at Lottery retailers, along with three $50,000 prizes and 13 more prizes of $10,000.