Virginia woman’s final tally: $50,000 on $500,000 Crossword scratch-off
An out-of-state player whose luck was evaporating on the casino floor found her way to a small win with a Maryland Lottery scratch-off. After leaving the casino, the Virginia woman tried her luck again at another retailer, buying a $500,000 Crossword instant ticket and winning a $50,000 second-tier prize.
The lucky lady found her $20 scratch-off at Arundel Mills Exxon, located at 7043 Arundel Mills Circle in Hanover.
The Alexandria resident told Lottery officials that she enjoys playing crossword-themed scratch-offs’ puzzles rather than scanning prize check areas for a win. At first, she thought her game won $1,000. She had found seven words in the first puzzle for the corresponding $1,000 prize. However, she realized she still had more work to do because she needed to scratch off the first puzzle’s multiplier box. Once she revealed a 50X multiplier, the player said, it clicked that she was taking home a $50,000 prize.
What a change a few hours can make! While at the casino, the winner had called friends and family members expressing disappointment about her casino performance. Now, she was calling them to share how happy she was to win $50,000.
The scratch-off fan has worked for the federal government since 1976 and was already thinking about retiring within a year. She plans to use her winnings for charity donations, to pay bills and will save the rest.
The $500,000 Crossword instant ticket went on sale in February and remains packed with prizes. The game began with five $500,000 top prizes. There are still three remaining, along with four more $50,000 second-tier prizes and 14 $10,000 third-tier prizes.
