SALISBURY, MARYLAND – Salisbury man is $2 million richer for a second time after winning the last top prize on a $30 Maryland Lottery scratch-off. The retired utility worker’s shocking second dose of Lottery luck came by way of a game named $2,000,000 Richer and followed a $2 million scratch-off win several years ago.
His electrifying discovery happened during the pandemic, when a series of morning errands took the loyal player past one of his favorite Lottery retailers. The now 65-year-old recalls that he selected two $2,000,000 Richer scratch-offs at North Salisbury Exxon and headed back to his vehicle to scratch them off.
On the first ticket, the Wicomico County resident uncovered a $100 prize. He scratched the second instant ticket like so many he’s scratched before, revealing the winning numbers at the top and then making his way through the scratch-off looking for a match. Then, he saw it. Instead of a match, the lucky player revealed a “Gold Bar” emblem over a $2 million prize.
He carefully stashed the instant ticket in a safe at home, waiting until days before the last date to claim his prize because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was just a bit nervous,” he said. “I worried that I could have a fire (at home) that would burn it up, that the ticket’s expiration date might come up and even had just a bit of doubt that it was really real.”
After his last $2 million win, the scratch-off fan told Lottery officials that he planned to put his prize toward a family vacation and financing his retirement. Now retired, the happy player told Lottery officials the new prize will finance home improvements and another family vacation.
Knowing the odds are against most players being this fortunate, the lucky man offered advice for other Lottery players hoping to win big.
“Be realistic and make sure that when you play that you aren’t just playing for the big jackpot. Play for enjoyment and as long as you enjoy what you are doing, win or lose, you’ve already won,” he said.
The $2,000,000 Richer scratch-off went on sale in 2019, offering players a chance to win prizes from $30 to $50,000 and six top prizes of $2 million. The final date to claim any prize on the $2,000,000 Richer scratch-off is Nov. 1.
He bought the winning instant ticket at North Salisbury Exxon located at 2403 North Salisbury Boulevard in Salisbury. For selling the winning scratch-off, the lucky store received a $2,000 bonus from the Lottery.