PRINCE FREDERICK, MD (December 16, 2024) – A Calvert County resident and Maryland Lottery enthusiast is celebrating a $500,000 scratch-off win that came just months before his planned retirement. The Southern Maryland commuter, who has spent years navigating the Washington, D.C. area, says the windfall will make his transition to a more relaxed lifestyle even smoother.
“This couldn’t have happened at a better time,” the winner shared after claiming his prize at Maryland Lottery headquarters.
A Regular Player Hits Big
The lucky winner, who chose to remain anonymous, has long enjoyed scratch-off games with a twist. He gravitates toward extended-play tickets like bingo- and crossword-themed games, which he says combine entertainment with the excitement of discovering whether a ticket is a winner.
“It could happen to anyone on any day,” he said, reflecting on his good fortune.
An avid follower of the Maryland Lottery website, the player frequently checks the updated list of remaining prizes to inform his game choices. That strategy led him to purchase a Bonus Bingo X20 scratch-off, a $20 instant ticket with a single top prize of $500,000 still unclaimed. He picked up the ticket during a recent trip to Ken-Mar Liquors in Prince Frederick, located at 1525 Solomons Island Road South.
From $50,000 to Half a Million
The winner’s remarkable day began when he scratched the 10 crossword games on the ticket while sitting in his truck. Initially, he thought he had won $50,000 after matching the caller’s numbers. Overjoyed, he called his son, also a Maryland Lottery fan, to share the news.
It was his son who noticed that the Bonus Bingo X20 ticket had another feature: a multiplier. He encouraged his father to check the top of the ticket, where a 10X multiplier awaited. With that revelation, the $50,000 prize skyrocketed to an impressive $500,000.
Retirement Plans Amplified
Already preparing to retire in early 2025, the winner says the unexpected windfall will bolster his savings and enhance his plans. He is set to leave his D.C. commute behind and relocate from Southern Maryland’s coastal flatlands to the scenic Blue Ridge region of Virginia.
The win also brought good news for Ken-Mar Liquors, the store where the ticket was purchased. For selling the $500,000 top-prize winning ticket, the store will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Maryland Lottery.
Lottery Enthusiast’s Words of Wisdom
The winner hopes his story inspires others to enjoy the fun of playing scratch-offs while staying mindful of the odds. For him, the thrill of extended-play games and the joy of discovery make playing worthwhile.
The Bonus Bingo X20 game has been popular among players, but with its final top prize claimed, fans of extended-play games will have to look to other tickets for their chance at a life-changing win.
