Maryland Computer Programmer Wins $100,000 with a $10 Scratch-Off Ticket

A Prince George’s County man recently experienced an unexpected windfall, transforming a routine stop for gas into a $100,000 jackpot. The lucky winner, a computer programmer from Laurel, found himself holding a top-prize-winning Money Drop scratch-off ticket, a purchase made on a whim thanks to some extra cash in his pocket.

The Win Came out of the Blue

The fortunate event occurred at Sandy Spring Exxon, a gas station located at 7801 Old Sandy Spring Road in Laurel. The winner, who prefers to remain anonymous, explained that he rarely plays scratch-offs, indulging in the pastime only a few times a year. On this particular day, however, he decided to spend the extra $10 he had on a Money Drop scratch-off ticket.

As he began scratching off the game, he quickly noticed that his number 18 on the first line matched one of the game’s winning numbers. Beneath this matching number was the astonishing $100,000 top prize. Initially, the reality of the win took time to sink in. He scratched off the rest of the ticket, then revisited the top of the game to confirm his winning number.

At first, I didn’t believe it. I took a picture to send to my friend.

Money Drop lottery winner

With his significant windfall, the happy programmer plans to pay off bills and deposit the remaining prize money into his bank account, ensuring a more secure financial future. The fortunate player’s good luck also extends to his lucky retailer. Sandy Spring Exxon will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Maryland Lottery for selling a top-prize winning instant ticket.

Maryland Players Are on a Roll

This win marks the third top-prize ticket claimed in the Money Drop game, which debuted at Lottery retailers on December 28, 2023. Excitingly, five of the eight $100,000 top prizes remain unclaimed, along with seven $50,000 prizes and numerous other prizes ranging from $10 to $10,000, giving hope to people willing to try their luck.

Old Line State residents have enjoyed impressive luck lately as the Maryland Lottery recently announced it had paid prizes exceeding $31 million in just one week. While the biggest prize recorded that week was a $250,000 scratch-off ticket, an unusual turn of events led to 17 separate tickets worth $50,000 each, sold or redeemed during the same week.

As for the fortunate computer programmer, while $100,000 is not a transformative amount, it should still be a welcome improvement to the winner’s quality of life and financial stability. This win demonstrates how fortune can strike at any time as a routine gas station stop turned into a life-changing event.