A Huntingtown resident, Tim Todd, won a significant $40,000 prize in the Sept. 3 Mega Millions drawing after adding the Megaplier feature to his ticket, which quadrupled his initial $10,000 prize. Todd, 52, an electrician by trade, purchased the ticket during a routine trip to a local grocery store and is now planning to pay off bills with his winnings.
Todd regularly plays the lottery and often adds the Megaplier feature, which costs an extra dollar but increases the potential payout. “I do it all the time. It’s more money that you can win,” said Todd, emphasizing the reason behind his routine Megaplier purchase.
Errand Turns into Winning Moment
On the day of his win, Todd was out running errands when he decided to check his $15 quick-pick Mega Millions ticket at the store. As he scanned the ticket, he noticed an unusual message on the screen that said, “Go to Lottery.” This message hinted that something big had happened.
“I said, ‘This must be something good,’” Todd recalled, still beaming from the experience.
Unable to contain his excitement, Todd went directly to the store clerk for confirmation. To his delight, the clerk verified that his ticket was indeed a $40,000 winner. Todd had used the Megaplier, a feature that multiplies non-jackpot prizes, and it turned his $10,000 third-tier prize into $40,000.
Plans to Pay Off Bills and Enjoy the Moment
While Todd plans to use the prize money to pay off bills, he is still undecided on how he will spend the remaining portion of his winnings. The Calvert County resident is an avid Washington Commanders fan and has been purchasing lottery tickets for years, but this win was a particularly special moment for him.
Todd has a habit of buying tickets, folding them in half, and keeping them in his wallet for good luck. His strategy often includes purchasing five lines on each ticket, despite his wife’s suggestion to buy only one line per drawing.
“I was happy when I won on the third line,” Todd said with a smile.
Winning Ticket Purchased Locally
Todd bought the winning ticket at the Dunkirk Wawa, located at 10245 Kirksville Lane in Calvert County. The Wawa store has seen an increase in foot traffic recently, with more locals stopping by to try their luck in the lottery.
This win adds to a growing list of significant lottery wins across Maryland, as residents continue to enjoy the excitement and possibility of life-changing prizes. Todd’s story is a reminder of the thrill that comes with checking those numbers and dreaming big.
While Todd isn’t planning any lavish purchases just yet, he’s certainly relieved to have a portion of his financial burdens lifted. He credits his consistent use of the Megaplier as the key to turning a routine lottery purchase into a much larger payout.
