Montgomery County woman claims game’s first top prize
Knowing that she would be housebound for several weeks while recovering from surgery, a long-time fan of crossword scratch-offs was itching to buy an instant ticket on the drive home. Pleased to find one of her favorite games at a Lottery retailer along the way, the Montgomery Village resident was ever happier an hour later.
“Bonus Crossword has been a very lucky ticket for me,” the security professional explained to Lottery officials on Monday. “I won $5,000 once with it. And, to be honest, while I keep playing the game because I enjoy it, I never expected to win more than that.”
This sixth edition of the popular $3 scratch-off debuted last month with eight $30,000 top prizes. The Montgomery County winner claimed the first top prize.
“My cousin was in the room when I scratched my ticket at home,” she said. “I looked at him and said, ‘I think I just won $30,000.’” Too shocked to believe it, the pair hurried to a nearby Lottery retailer to confirm the win. “I stayed very calm in the store,” the lucky player told us, “but I was going crazy on the inside.”
She bought her instant ticket at Goshen Plaza Beer & Wine at 9150 Rothbury Drive in Montgomery Village. The Bonus Crossword 6th Edition game still has seven unclaimed $30,000 top-prize winners and 19 $5,000 second-tier prizes available. Owners at the Lottery retailer will receive a $300 bonus from the Lottery for selling the top-prize winning instant ticket.
