Laurel Man’s Date Night Ends with a $50,000 Win [VIDEO]

May 3, 2013

Faithful Lottery player takes home $50,000

Rodney Harris, a retired military man from Laurel, has always been rather lucky when it came to playing the Lottery. So lucky in fact, that he confidently told his boss when he was hired a year ago that he would need a day off to collect a $50,000 Bonus Match 5 top-prize. Sure enough, a little over a year later, the 46-year-old had the chance to inform his boss that he needed the time off to claim his winnings.

Rodney and his wife Monica were having a date night at Red Lobster when he decided to check that evening’s winning numbers. Monica thought there was something incredibly wrong when she saw her husband jump out of his seat. “I really thought he was having a heart attack,” she laughed. “He just jumped up and fell to the floor so quickly!”

After recovering from the shock, Rodney explained that they had won the Bonus Match 5 top prize. “Once things settled down, I called my brother and then my boss,” the Laurel man told Lottery officials. Rodney told his boss that he was going to need that day off that they talked about last year when he was hired. “He couldn’t believe it.”

For now the couple, who has been married for five years, plans to pay a few bills, help Rodney’s brother and go on a few trips. “I had the chance to travel a lot when I was in the military, but I’d love to take some trips with Monica – Wherever she wants to go!” he said before turning to his wife for a kiss. The couple is currently looking into a trip to Canada. The winning ticket was bought at Rodney’s favorite store, Xtra Mart Fuel at 3497 Fort Meade Rd in Laurel.

Rodney Harris and his wife Monica claim their $50,000 prize.

Second-Chance Contest Not Needed For Laurel Man

April 30, 2013

Wins $50,000 with The Price Is Right scratch-off

A Laurel man stops every Friday at his favorite liquor store to buy a beer and two scratch-offs as an end-of-the-week treat. While checking out last Friday, the man chose two of his wife’s favorite scratch-offs – The Price is Right – and went home. The sweet gesture became even sweeter when the couple realized that the ticket was worth $50,000.

The man, who is retired and now works part-time as a bus attendant, told Lottery officials that his wife was a fan of the game because of the online second-chance contest which offers a trip to Las Vegas. “That’s really why I bought the tickets,” the 59-year-old said. “I knew she liked tickets with second-chance contests.”

When the couple sat down to check the tickets later that evening, the man saw that they had a winner and handed it to his wife. “That’s part of our routine, I always scratch the tickets and she double checks to make sure I didn’t miss anything,” the retiree said chuckling.

For now the couple is trying to decide what to do with the money. One thing is for sure, they’re going to continue buying The Price is Right scratch-offs and are hoping to have the same luck with the second-chance contest. The man bought his winning ticket at his favorite neighborhood store, Cork N Bottle Liquors at 516 Main St. in Laurel.

Laurel Man has $100,000 ‘Wild’ Win

March 26, 2013

Takes home Wild 10s scratch-off top prize

A Laurel man took a walk on the wild side a few weeks ago when he purchased a Wild 10s scratch-off. The bold yellow leopard print scratch-off caught the 50-year-old’s eye from across the store. There was something extra special about the brightly colored ticket — it was a $100,000 top-prize winner.

At first, the man thought his ticket was only worth $10,000. “I was pretty surprised when I saw the matching symbol at the bottom of the ticket,” he said. “I almost missed the small print at the bottom that multiplied my prize to $100,000!”

The man, who owns a seafood restaurant, decided that a snow day was the perfect time to come in and claim his winnings. “I’ve been waiting for some time off for a couple weeks,” he told Lottery officials. “Today was a good, quiet day to come in and claim.”

As this wild journey comes to an end, the father-of-two plans to invest all of the winnings into his business. The lucky winner found his wild winner at Star Convenience Store at 3423 Branch Avenue in Temple Hills.

Scratch-off Win Starts College Fund for a Silver Spring Family

January 10, 2013

Takes home $100,000 top prize

A Silver Spring woman and her husband took home $100,000 after playing a Diamonds scratch-off ticket last week. The winner told Lottery officials that she and her husband said the same thing in unison after seeing their big win: “college!”

Not too fazed by the win, the couple was very calm and collected when they came into to claim their prize. “We’re really down to earth people,” the woman said about her family. “This won’t change anything for us and how we live. We’re happy, but this is for our girls.”

The couple, who has two young daughters, plans to put their winnings directly into a college fund. “This will definitely help them when it comes time for them to go off to school,” she said.

Both parents plan on keeping the big news a secret until the time comes for their girls to go off to college. “We’ll let them know eventually. For now though, this will stay between us,” she said seriously. The winning ticket was sold at the Shell Station at 9280 All Saints Road in Laurel.

Delayed Win Gives Silver Spring Man a “Second Chance”

January 8, 2013

Victor Serrano of Silver Spring shows off his big win.

Wins $250,000 Mega Millions Prize

Victor Serrano’s Mega Millions ticket had been tucked inside his wallet for over a month when his father offered to check it at the store. When Serrano’s father returned, he told his son that he should probably have the ticket checked again due to an odd message that appeared on the scanner at the store. When the Silver Spring native went back the next day he saw that the forgotten ticket was actually worth $250,000.

The 22-year-old came into Lottery headquarters with a friend, eager to claim his winnings. The man, who works in auto collision repair, sees his huge win as a great opportunity to change his life. “This is a chance for me to have a new start,” he said. “It’s truly a blessing.”

Serrano, who had to take off work in order to claim his prize, said few people thought a win like this was possible. “I’ve told some close friends, but none of them really believe me,” he said laughing. “I’m sure they’ll believe me when I put my picture online with me holding the giant check!”

The modest 22-year-old said he plans on making a large payment on his mother’s home and wants to save the rest. “I’m not going to waste this money. As tempting as it is, I just can’t do that with this win,” he said. The winning ticket was sold at 7-11 #32975 at 9651 Washington Boulevard in Laurel.

Holiday Joy for Prince George’s County Man

December 27, 2012

Wins $100,000 With Green Bucks Scratch-off

A Laurel man was surprisingly calm for someone who had just claimed a $100,000 ticket while visiting Lottery headquarters last week. The lucky winner took home the money after playing a Green Bucks scratch-off.

According to his sister, his demeanor had been completely different the days leading up to coming into claim. “I’m exhausted,” the man explained. “Between all of the excitement and lack of sleep, I’m just exhausted by this win.”

The winner, a tile works company employee, bought his Green Bucks scratch-off this past Friday. “I get at least one ticket a week,” he told Lottery officials. “That day I just felt like playing a $10 game – I’m not sure why, it just felt right.”

He scratched his ticket in the store and promptly began his celebration. The other customers were excited for me. The owner asked for a copy of the ticket to hang up,” he said.

As for his plans for the winnings – after getting a good night’s sleep, that is – the Laurel man tells us that he’s been searching for a house in recent weeks. “This money will help me with the house hunt.” His $100,000 Green Bucks ticket was waiting for him at the Town Center Market, 4705 Queensbury Road in Riverdale.

College Student Follows Mom’s Lead, Wins Big [VIDEO]

November 30, 2012

Claims $30,000 Crack the Code Scratch-off Prize

Michael Woods visited Lottery Headquarters yesterday to collect a scratch-off prize he won the day before Thanksgiving. The Laurel native, a once-in-a-while Lottery player, was home for the holiday and having lunch with his family when his good fortune found him.

“I really had no intention of playing,” he told officials. “But my mom wanted a ticket, so I bought one, too.” Michael, a senior at Salisbury University, found that he had $3 left after paying for his meal. As he narrowed down which of the several $1 instant tickets he wanted to play, the attendant suggested that he instead try a $3 game, Crack the Code.

Michael scratched his ticket and immediately noticed that he had a match. When he checked the corresponding dollar amount, he turned white as a ghost. “I’d swear that my heart stopped when I saw it.” He checked his ticket five times and then asked his family to look at it. A final consult with the attendant confirmed what seemed impossible for any of them to believe – Michael had just won $30,000.

The only thing Michael plans to spend his winnings on right now is a new car. His winning ticket was purchased from PI’s Deli at 1200 Sandy Spring Road in Laurel. There’s one $30,000 top prize remaining for the Crack the Code game.

“I really had no intention of playing,” he told officials.
“But my mom wanted a ticket, so I bought one, too.”

Monopoly Scratch-Off Bonus Drawing Winners

September 1, 2012

Winner Draw #1 – John Taggart, Sr. – Woodbine, MD
Winner Draw #2 – Akashi Lewis from Laurel
Winner Draw #3 – Shirley Raigns from Parkville
Winner Draw #4 – Erika Jensen from Chestertown
Winner Draw #5 – Tijuana Jones from Washington, DC
Winner Draw #6 – Brenda Alesci from Baltimore
Winner Draw #7 – Tamara Spriggs from Greenbelt

Super Bonus Leads to Super Prize for Laurel Grandmother

August 15, 2012

Wins $40,000 Playing Keno

An 84-year-old grandmother from Laurel credits her son for her recent $40,000 Keno win. It was on Sunday, when the lucky player asked her son to play her Lottery numbers for her. He played her regular Pick 3 and Pick 4, but also decided to go ahead and purchase a Keno ticket too, a game his mother only plays occasionally. “I just picked some numbers in order and played an eight spot with the Super Bonus,” said the son, who accompanied his mother to Lottery Headquarters to claim her prize.

By playing the Super Bonus option the $10,000 win grew to $40,000. But, the man didn’t initially realize the size of his mother’s prize. “I knew it was big because the ticket scanner said “See Agent”, but I had no idea how much she’d won,” he said.

He quickly rushed to tell his mother the news. “I couldn’t be more excited,” she told Lottery officials. “I just wanted to scream even though I still didn’t know how much it was. I almost fainted when the Lottery official told me the amount I’d won.”

The winner says she has no plans for her $40,000 windfall. “I am just thankful that I am one of the lucky ones,” she said. The winning ticket was purchased at Laurel Mart, located at 820 Second Street in Laurel.

Lucky Laurel Lady Claims $50,000 MONOPOLY™ Bonus Drawing Prize [VIDEO]

April 25, 2012

Unable to contain her enthusiasm, Akashi Lewis, gushed about her $50,000 MONOPOLY™ bonus drawing prize. The Laurel resident, who was accompanied to Lottery Headquarters by her Aunt, kept repeating, “I thought it couldn’t be me. So, if you think it can’t be you, it can be!”

The 39-year-old mother-of-two entered the MONOPOLY™ bonus drawing 25 times. “I also played the game online,” said Akashi. “It was pretty fun and pretty neat too.” An employee at a billing company, Akashi was at work when she received the good news. “I saw Maryland Lottery on the caller ID,” she said. “I thought it was a work-related call.”

Work soon turned to pleasure, when the lucky winner was informed of her $50,000 prize. “ The Lottery official asked if I had room in my bank account for $50,000,” said Akashi. “I told her, ‘I sure do. Then I screamed and I cried and I think I said H-E-double hockey sticks.’”

With a 20-year-old daughter already in college and another 18-year-old soon to begin, Akashi plans to use her prize money for tuition. She also intends to continue entering the MONOPOLY™ bonus drawings. “Yes, of course, I’m going to enter more,” said Akashi. “In fact, I have tickets on standby waiting for me to enter.”

The $5 MONOPOLY™ scratch-off has a top prize of $50,000. Players may also enter non-winning MONOPOLY™ tickets for additional $50,000 bonus drawings. To enter the bonus drawings, players must submit their non-winning MONOPOLY™ tickets at mdlottery.com/Monopoly.

“I thought it couldn’t be me. So, if you think it can’t be you,
it can be,” said Akashi.