Eastern Shore man switches scratch-off at the last second and wins $50,000
DENTON, MD — A spur-of-the-moment decision at a gas station turned into a $50,000 payday for a Caroline County man who picked a new scratch-off ticket instead of his usual choice, making him the first top-prize winner on a newly released Maryland Lottery game.
The retired federal employee was stopping for gas at the Sunoco Truck Stop on Kent Island on January 9 when he noticed the new 20X the Cash ticket on display. Though he was planning to play his longtime favorite game, he changed his mind and bought the $5 scratch-off instead.
The decision paid off. The ticket revealed a $50,000 top prize — the first of its kind to be claimed on 20X the Cash, which had debuted the very same day.
The Denton resident shared the news with his wife immediately, though she was initially skeptical. The couple now plans to use the prize to contribute to their grandchildren’s college fund.
The Sunoco Truck Stop, located at 400 Thompson Creek Road in Stevensville, will receive a $500 bonus from the Maryland Lottery for selling the winning ticket.
According to lottery officials, six more top prizes of $50,000 remain unclaimed in the 20X the Cash game, along with ten second-tier prizes of $5,000.
Key Points
• Caroline County man won $50,000 after choosing a new $5 scratch-off game
• The ticket, 20X the Cash, debuted the same day and still has six top prizes remaining
• The winner plans to add the prize to his grandchildren’s college fund
