Craftsman Solves Lottery Crossword Puzzle for $10K

BROOKEVILLE, MD — Thomas Dowling of Brookeville enjoys solving crossword puzzles, especially when it means winning a $10,000 Maryland Lottery scratch-off prize. The Montgomery County man found not one but two winning Super Crossword scratch-offs the day he stopped for a cup of coffee at a 7-Eleven store at 18120 Georgia Ave. in Olney.

The first Super Crossword instant ticket he bought gave him a $10 prize. The general contractor immediately cashed in that scratch-off and bought another instant ticket in the $10 game. This time, the 58-year-old won the game’s first $10,000 prize.

The married father of four called both his wife and a son to share his good fortune. The happy winner plans to use the money to pay off bills and have a nice family dinner.

A loyal Lottery player, Thomas plays a variety of games but really enjoys crossword scratch-offs. “If you don’t play, you can’t win,” he said, vowing to continue to play scratch-offs as well as Powerball and Mega Millions.

There are still plenty of prizes remaining in the Super Crossword game, which went on sale Dec. 27. Players can hunt for the seven unclaimed $100,000 top prizes, 25 additional $10,000 prizes and thousands of others ranging from $10 to $1,000.

»PHOTO: Thomas Dowling of Brookeville found a $10,000 winning Super Crossword scratch-off. Courtesy of the Maryland Lottery