Will have wife decide how to spend lucky proceeds from his scratch-off hobby
The wife of a U.S. Army veteran, who served 28 years in the military, was surprised at how little expression the Middle River man showed upon finding out he won $100,000 on a Maryland Lottery scratch-off.
According to his account, when he showed her the prize-winning instant ticket, he wasn’t particularly excited. Although $100,000 is the top prize on the $10 Gold Rush 7s Multiplier game, the winner quipped, “I wanted one with more zeros to it!”
After retiring from the military, the Baltimore County winner started playing scratch-offs and the occasional game of Racetrax.
“I’m bored. It’s a little hobby,” he said on June 5 while claiming his $100,000 prize at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore. Other hobbies include playing paintball, fishing and riding his motorcycle with a group of friends. In advancing those hobbies, he’s already got the purchase of a pickup truck and a three-wheel motorcycle in process, so he initially said the prize will go straight into the bank. But then, motioning to his wife of 35 years, he said, “Maybe it belongs to my boss.”
Asked if he was pondering any travel plans, he said his Army experience cured him of any such thoughts. “I did enough traveling, and I always ended up going someplace I didn’t want to go.” The winner says “of course” playing the Lottery will continue to be one of his hobbies. His wife added, “I’m just happy he won.”
Also having reason to celebrate is Tobacco Quest at 206 Ballard Avenue in Middle River, where the loyal player purchased the winning instant ticket. The store receives a bonus of $1,000 from the Lottery for selling a $100,000 top-prize winning scratch-off.
The Gold Rush 7s Multiplier gave up its first of eight top prizes to our winner. The game, which went on sale May 20, still has 30 $10,000 second-tier prizes remaining along with others ranging from $10 to $1,000.
