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The husband and wife team, who first started playing scratch-offs together over 30 years ago, struck gold on a ticket purchased at the Wawa on North Philadelphia Boulevard.
“He said, ‘Mama, it’s a million-dollar winner,’” the wife recalled, still in disbelief even after confirming the life-changing news on the Maryland Lottery app.
The lucky ticket revealed the number 18 matched a $1 million prize square, setting the couple on a path toward dreams of buying a new home.
They’re now considering a move to Western Maryland, where the husband grew up, or possibly Pennsylvania.
The wife, who introduced her husband to scratch-offs decades ago, credits their occasional indulgence for the win.
“Every once in a while, he says, ‘Let’s get a scratch-off,’” she shared.
In this case, his hunch paid off big. While the husband scratched the ticket, his wife was busy playing Keno in the Wawa.
After scanning the ticket and seeing the million-dollar message, they both had trouble wrapping their heads around their newfound fortune.
“I still don’t believe it,” the wife said after claiming the prize on Friday, Nov. 22. Even after the husband quipped, “Do you believe it now?” she could only shrug and respond, “I guess so.
The couple plans to use the winnings to buy a new home, settle some debts, and help out family members.
Meanwhile, the Wawa that sold the winning ticket will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Maryland Lottery.
The Gold Rush 777 game, launched in May, still has two $1 million prizes up for grabs, along with thousands of prizes ranging from $20 to $50,000.
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