$100K Winning Scratch-Off Ticket Claimed By Laurel Computer Programmer

LAUREL, MD — A Prince George’s County man who purchased a $10 Money Drop scratch-off now happens to be $100,000 richer.

The computer programmer bought the lucky instant ticket at Sandy Spring Exxon, 7801 Old Sandy Spring Road in Laurel. He stopped in to buy gas and felt compelled to purchase a scratch-off ticket. He only plays a few times a year, he said.

“I looked over and saw the purple in the Money Drop scratch-offs so I decided to buy one,” he told Maryland Lottery officials.

When he started to scratch off the game, the winner saw that his number 18 on the first line matched one of the game’s winning numbers. Yidden below his winning number 18 was the $100,000 top prize. The win took a while to register, he said, as he continued to scratch off the rest of the instant ticket. Then, he went back to the top of the game to look at his matching number again.

“At first, I didn’t believe it. I took a picture to send to my friend,” the lotto player said with a smile.

The big winner plans to pay bills with his windfall and place the rest of his prize into his bank account. Sandy Spring Exxon in Prince George’s County will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Maryland Lottery for selling a $100,000 winning instant ticket.