A casual gas station lottery stop turned into a massive Maryland payday for the retired traveler

ELKTON, Md. — A retired Pennsylvania maintenance worker who regularly escapes to Ocean City with his wife is heading home with much more than beach memories after scratching off a Maryland Lottery ticket worth $50K.

The Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, resident claimed the top prize Thursday after winning on a Winning Streak scratch-off ticket purchased during a stop at a Royal Farms in Elkton, according to Maryland Lottery officials.

The couple, who split their time between Pennsylvania and their second home in Ocean City, said the winning ticket was purchased while they were driving home from a weekend at the beach.

Officials said the winning scratch-off was bought at the Royal Farms located at 1199 Pulaski Highway in Elkton.

Although the retired grandfather described himself as only a casual lottery player, he often buys scratch-off tickets during fuel stops.

Days after the purchase, the ticket nearly slipped his mind until his wife handed it back to him at home.

“I saw the horseshoe and asked, ‘Is this right?’” the winner recalled after revealing a matching symbol connected to the game’s $50,000 top prize.

His wife later confirmed the win by scanning the ticket through the Maryland Lottery app.

The couple traveled to Maryland Lottery headquarters in Baltimore on May 21 to officially claim the prize.

The winner said he plans to use part of the money to pay off a vehicle while placing the remaining funds into savings.

Lottery officials said the player’s previous largest win was $500.

Winning Streak launched in February with seven top prizes worth $50,000. Following this latest claim, three top prizes remain unclaimed.

Royal Farms will also receive a $500 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

Key Points

A Pennsylvania grandfather won $50K on a Maryland Lottery scratch-off
The winning ticket was purchased at a Royal Farms in Elkton
The couple bought the ticket while returning home from Ocean City