Gaithersburg 'Family Really Freaked Out' Says Lottery Winner

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A 50-year-old Montgomery County contractor drew a big crowd earlier this month when his lunch break ended with a $50,000 $500 Frenzy scratch-off. The husband and father of three told Maryland Lottery officials that he and a co-worker usually seek out lunch destinations that double as Lottery retailers because they both enjoy playing Lottery games while they eat.

“I play Keno, he likes the instant tickets,” the winner said, who ate alone the day of his lucky score. After finishing his meal, the Gaithersburg man decided to get two scratch-offs, and picked out one of the newer games, $500 Frenzy, because it’s his buddy’s favorite.

“The first number I saw was a lucky one, my anniversary, so I had a good feeling,” he said in a news release. As luck would have it, that anniversary day matched a number below, and under that match was the game’s top prize – $50,000. “I started shaking,” he said. “I just couldn’t believe it was real.”

The owner of the restaurant hugged the winner when he told her what had happened. Then, she hugged him again. “We were all pretty excited.”

Calls to his absent friend and home to his family produced a similar response. “The family really freaked out,” said the happy winner. “My wife said, ‘It’s about time!’ ’’

He found his good fortune at Ann’s Café at 7616 Airpark Road in Gaithersburg. For selling a top-prize scratch-off in the game, the retailer earns a $500 bonus from the Lottery. The bonus is equal to 1 percent of the top prize.
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