Player caught off guard after buying the Cash to Go game while grocery shopping
An Anne Arundel County resident plans to replace her 23-year-old car after winning $50,000 playing the Lottery’s $5 scratch-off game, Cash to Go.
Following her routine, she bought a few scratch-offs on Feb. 28 after shopping at the Food Lion located at 8741 Piney Orchard Parkway in Odenton.
“The only thing I do is scratch-offs,” she told officials on March 4 after claiming the prize at Lottery headquarters. About 15 years ago, she was dating a man who enjoyed playing scratch-off games. The boyfriend is gone, but she kept the scratch-off hobby.
After getting home and putting groceries away, she scratched off her instant tickets and immediately realized she had a $50,000 winner.
“I almost passed out,” the Odenton woman said.
The previous evening, she and her family enjoyed a celebratory dinner cooked by her son-in-law, who accompanied her to make the claim. He also is a Lottery fan, and was inspired by his mother-in-law’s win to purchase a few tickets over the weekend. Lottery luck didn’t come his way, however.
“We were hoping we could both claim at the same time,” he mused.
For its role in the top-prize win, the Food Lion receives a Lottery bonus of $500, equal to 1% of the prize.
Cash to Go went on sale in November 2024 with seven $50,000 top prizes and there are now three remaining. Also awaiting discovery are smaller prizes ranging from $5 to $5,000.
