Beltsville Mom Brings Home $7,777 Scratch-Off Win

BELTSVILLE, MD — A single Black Pearl 7s scratch-off ticket bought before work led to a $7,777 top prize for Sara Alvarado Ayala of Beltsville, who is glad she followed her routine for playing Maryland Lottery games.

The construction worker tells Lottery officials that she always buys a scratch-off or two before work. On Saturday, she visited the 7-Eleven store at 6001 Arbor St. in Landover and scratched a Black Pearl 7s instant ticket in the store. She’s won small amounts on the game, but the 41-year-old was astonished to see all of the 7’s appear on this $2 scratch-off.

“I was so happy,” she said. The Prince George’s County resident confirmed her win with the cashier, who told her to claim her prize at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore.

Sara waited anxiously all weekend for Lottery offices to open Monday morning. She brought her sister, Maria Santos, and brother-in-law, Noel Santos, for support.

"When she told us, we were so excited for her,” said Noel.

“She really deserves this win,” added Maria.

The mother of three boys said she has no initial plans for her prize other than spending some of her winnings on a little fun and entertainment. The Black Pearl 7s scratch-off has eight $7,777 top prizes remaining and thousands of lower-tier prizes still in the game.

»PHOTO: Sara Alvarado Ayala of Beltsville, center, won more than $7,000 with a Black Pearl 7s scratch-off. Her sister Maria Santos and brother-in-law Noel accompanied her to claim her prize. Courtesy of Maryland Lottery