Laurel player plans retirement after life changing Scratch off win
LAUREL, MD — What began as a routine stop for Maryland Lottery tickets ended with a Laurel woman holding a $2 million winning scratch-off, a prize she says was so overwhelming she had to sit in her car before she could even drive home.
The winner, who chose to remain anonymous and uses the nickname “Book Worm,” claimed the first of two $2 million top prizes on the Maryland Lottery’s Diamonds & Gold scratch-off on Monday.
A Washington, D.C., native who has lived in Laurel for the past five years, “Book Worm” said she regularly buys scratch-offs along with Pick 3 and Pick 4 tickets during weekly visits to the 7-Eleven at 14001 Baltimore Ave.
Her winning ticket was purchased on June 30 during what she described as an ordinary Lottery trip. After buying several scratch-offs, she played them inside the store. The first tickets were not winners, but the Diamonds & Gold ticket delivered the game’s top prize.
“I knew then it was a winner. I didn’t know how much,” she told Maryland Lottery officials after scanning the ticket.
A store clerk confirmed the prize was worth $2 million.
The winner said she was so overwhelmed she walked to her car but was too shaken to drive. Instead, she immediately called her sister, who later accompanied her to Maryland Lottery headquarters to claim the prize.
The sisters, who are less than 18 months apart, have long shared a close relationship.
After waiting nearly a month to claim the prize, “Book Worm” said she used the time to organize her finances. She plans to pay off bills, retire after many years working at a local grocery store, and take a long-awaited trip to Europe.
“Paris has always been on my bucket list,” she said.
The 7-Eleven that sold the winning ticket will receive a $2,000 bonus from the Maryland Lottery.
The $2 million prize is the first top prize claimed in the Diamonds & Gold scratch-off game since it launched in April. One $2 million top prize and three $50,000 second-tier prizes remain available.
Key Points
- A Laurel woman claimed the first $2 million top prize in the Maryland Lottery’s Diamonds & Gold scratch-off.
- The longtime grocery store employee said she plans to retire, pay off bills and travel to Europe.
- The Laurel 7-Eleven that sold the winning ticket will receive a $2,000 bonus.
