Scanned it twice lucky Bethesda player wins $111K jackpot
BETHESDA, MD – A Montgomery County lottery player came dangerously close to throwing away a six-figure jackpot before realizing he had just won $111,971 from a FAST PLAY Cash Combination ticket bought in Bethesda.
The winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, purchased the $5 progressive jackpot ticket in late November at Maple Beer and Wine on Wisconsin Avenue. Initially scanning the ticket himself, he mistook the lengthy on-screen message for a losing ticket and nearly balled it up in frustration.
“It was too many words on the scanner,” the player said after claiming his prize on December 8 at Maryland Lottery headquarters in Baltimore. He said he’s used to the message “see retailer” for wins, but didn’t get that this time and assumed the worst.
Still uncertain, he rescanned the ticket several times and eventually brought it to the store clerk — who confirmed it was a jackpot winner worth $111,971. Upon closer inspection, the player saw the message “progressive jackpot” on the slip and realized he’d hit the top prize.
The Bethesda resident said he monitors progressive jackpot totals and knew the FAST PLAY Cash Combination prize had been growing. He said the winnings will be used to eliminate debt.
The retailer that sold the winning ticket, Maple Beer and Wine at 8125 Wisconsin Avenue, will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Maryland Lottery for selling the jackpot-winning ticket.
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Key Points
- A Bethesda player won $111,971 playing the FAST PLAY Cash Combination game
- He nearly discarded the ticket before realizing it was a jackpot winner
- The winning ticket was sold at Maple Beer and Wine, which earns a $1,000 bonus
