LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — A St. Mary’s County resident, affectionately dubbing herself “Ms. Skeptical,” turned a $10 Maryland Lottery FAST PLAY Fat Wallet ticket into a $392,970 progressive jackpot, claimed on March 13, 2025, at the Lottery’s Winner’s Circle.
The winning ticket was purchased on March 7 at Lusby Market Exxon, 11805 H.G. Trueman Road, Lusby, marking the game’s first jackpot win since its July 2024 launch. This windfall, her largest prize after years of smaller wins topping out at $1,000, will bolster her recent retirement savings and fund new adventures.
The retiree, who enjoys the thrill of scratching tickets, expressed surprise at the win. “Where’s my $5,000, my $50,000? I never got it. Until now!” she exclaimed. Plans include adding the bulk of the prize to her retirement nest egg, test-driving cars for a potential purchase, and enhancing travel plans. Already booked for a Bahamas trip, following a 2024 Aruba getaway, she sees the winnings as a chance to explore more.
The FAST PLAY Fat Wallet game features a progressive jackpot starting at $70,000, growing with each ticket sold until claimed. Nine additional jackpots remain up for grabs. Lusby Market Exxon earns a $1,000 bonus for selling the ticket, boosting local excitement. The Maryland Lottery, generating over $2 billion annually for state education since 1973, per its website, continues to distribute life-changing prizes, with this win adding to its FY2025 impact.
While the win is a boon, it raises a minor note of caution: the retiree’s reliance on lottery thrills might suggest a broader trend of gambling as entertainment among seniors, though her focus on savings tempers this. The jackpot’s growth reflects strong ticket sales, with over 5,600 Fat Wallet prizes claimed statewide since July 2024, according to Lottery data.
