Takes home $30,000 top prize on Hearts are Wild Tripler scratch-off
Vietnam Veteran Joseph Dixon Jr. of Baltimore certainly experienced an unforgettable Memorial Day Weekend this year. The happy Maryland Lottery player won the $30,000 top prize on a Hearts are Wild Tripler scratch-off!
Dixon, who works as a one-on-one tutor, wasted no time claiming his prize on Tuesday from Lottery headquarters in Baltimore after the long holiday weekend. He told Lottery officials that the win comes at a poignant time.
“Although I’m extremely excited and happy about winning, I still have to reflect on the friends and loved ones who are not here to share it with me,” he said, “especially the ones I saw lost in Vietnam and some of my family members.”
The 59-year-old was at home, taking care of the family dog, while his wife visited their new twin grandchildren. “I got bored and decided to go get a few scratch-off tickets,” he said. The new grandpa headed to Leeds Liquors at 910 Leeds Ave. in Baltimore, where he bought the $3 ticket. “I started scratching, thinking this was a hard ticket to win from and that was when I won!”
No stranger to Maryland Lottery wins, Dixon claimed a $10,000 scratch-off prize in 2012. The lucky player plans to spend some of his prize on roof repairs and an overdue vacation with his wife.