Anne Arundel Man Wins $1 Million During Coffee Break

An Anne Arundel County man made the ultimate purchase of his life by turning himself into a millionaire playing the Maryland Lottery’s Ultimate Riches scratch-off. He stopped at a Royal Farms store in Baltimore, where he planned to buy coffee and the $20 scratch-off. He never got around to buying the coffee, though, because he became the game’s first $1 million winner.

Mr. “Once in a Million,” as he nicknamed his big win, first scratched the instant ticket’s prize check box to see if he had won anything. The ticket checker at the Baltimore County retailer indicated he was a big winner but did not reveal the amount. The lucky player, who is in his mid-40s, began to scratch the instant ticket’s play area and saw the number 33 and $1,000,000 written under it.

“I had to look at it several times before I realized it was really a $1 million win,” the winner told Maryland Lottery officials. “It was fate that made me stop at the Royal Farms store.” The coffee drinker never did purchase his beverage because he was too excited about his big win. He left the store to share the news with family and friends.

Mr. “Once in a Million” plans to use some of his windfall to purchase a home. As for any money remaining, he plans to save it for the future, according to a news release. Officials did not identify where the winner lives.

The Royal Farms store located at 6411 Fort Smallwood Road is also a winner. The retailer earns a $1,000 bonus from the Maryland Lottery for selling a $1 million top-prize winning instant ticket. Ultimate Riches launched in April 2017 and has six more $1 million top prizes remaining.

Image courtesy of the Maryland Lottery