Player Nabs First $30,000 Top Prize on Red Hot Cash Scratch-off

Montgomery County man stunned by big win

He’s still in disbelief! A 36-year-old Rockville player won the first $30,000 top prize on the $3 Red Hot Cash scratch-off game.

The Montgomery County resident was grocery shopping at Safeway #2753 in Kensington when Lady Luck paid him a visit. After wrapping up his purchases, he went over to the Lottery vending machine and bought several scratch-offs, including the new Red Hot Cash game. The lucky guy played the games once he arrived home and revealed the $30,000 win.

“I scratched the matching numbers going down the line and was shocked,” said the big winner. “I thought it had to be a mistake.”

The married dad, who has a baby on the way, called his wife immediately to come check the instant ticket to confirm his win. He next shared the great news with his father. Both doubted the winner’s luck so they went to a Lottery retailer and got the top-prize win confirmed by the ticket scanner and the store cashier.

The lucky player, accompanied by his dad, claimed his prize at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore last week. He told Lottery officials that he plans to use the winnings for his growing family and will celebrate with a big family dinner.

Also celebrating this huge win is the Lottery retailer that sold the winning instant ticket. Safeway #2753 located at 10541 Connecticut Avenue will receive a $300 bonus from the Lottery for selling the $30,000 top-prize winner.

The Red Hot Cash instant ticket went on sale at the end of May with eight $30,000 top prizes. Seven top prizes remain. There are also 16 $1,000 prizes left along with over 806,000 prizes ranging from $3 to $500. The instant ticket joins a Hot family of games that went on sale May 22: a $1 Hot 7s, $2 Hot 7s Doubler, $5 Hot 7s Tripler and $10 Hot 7s Multiplier scratch-off. A $20 Hot 777 ticket went on sale in April.