A Maryland mechanic turned a $65 scratch-off win into a $250,000 payday by purchasing a lucky ticket at a Rockville gas station.
The Bowie resident, who enjoys scratch-offs, was driving to work when he decided to try his luck. After winning $50 and $15 on two $10 tickets, he stopped at the Liberty gas station at 1298 East Gude Drive. He scanned his winning tickets and used the $65 to buy seven more scratch-offs.
He purchased three $10 Jumbo Cash scratch-offs, one $20 instant ticket, and three $5 tickets. After grabbing a cup of coffee, he returned to his car to scratch off the tickets. The last ticket, a Jumbo Cash game, revealed the $250,000 top prize.
Excitement left him too jittery to drink his coffee. “I was filled up,” the winner said. He texted his wife about the win and then went to work, hiding the winning ticket under his car seat. “I visited the car four times that day,” he admitted, anxious to confirm the ticket was still there.
The couple plans to keep their win and their identity a secret. They will use the prize for home renovations and to pay down a student loan.
The Liberty gas station will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Maryland Lottery for selling the top-prize scratch-off.
The Jumbo Cash game, which launched on April 22, still has three $250,000 top prizes available, along with other prizes ranging from $10 to $50,000.
