In what can only be described as serendipity blended with a touch of suspense, an Annapolis business owner inadvertently carried around a $125,985 winning FAST PLAY lottery ticket for several days before making the surprising discovery of his newfound fortune.
The lucky man, who has chosen to remain anonymous, followed his regular routine of purchasing FAST PLAY tickets every Monday and Friday from the local Quik Mart.
It was during one such routine purchase that he acquired a Lucky Numbers FAST PLAY ticket, which unbeknownst to him, held the key to one of the game's elusive progressive jackpots.
It reminded us of the time a Baltimore County man asked the store clerk to "pick a winner," and boy, did he ever. Or that time a QR code saved a Maryland Lottery player from missing out on a big win.
But let's get back to our newest jackpot winner.
Maryland Lottery Winner Drove Around With Ticket in His Truck
Adhering to his usual practice of delaying the ticket check, the winner left the ticket undisturbed in his truck for nearly a week.
“I brought it, put it in my truck and didn’t check it for a few days,” he said when he claimed the prize at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore.
When he eventually scanned it, a message appeared on the screen instructing him to visit the Lottery office — a message that initially baffled him. It was only upon further investigation that the reality of his significant win hit home: he had secured the top prize on the $10 Lucky Numbers game, a game introduced to the public just a few months prior, in July.
After winning, the Annapolis man shared that he plans to use his prize money to improve his business and organize a family vacation, making sure it fits with the school calendar.
“We might take a vacation, but I need to find a week when the kids are off school,” he said with a smile.
He emphasized that he plays the lottery responsibly, sticking to a budget and treating it as just a fun activity.
Maryland Is One of The First States to Adopt a Lottery
The Maryland Lottery is known for its long history, wide variety of games, security protocols for drawings, and its integration with other forms of gaming regulation in the state.
History and Expansion
Maryland was the eighth state to establish a government-run lottery, launching operations in 1973 after a constitutional amendment.
Over time, the Maryland Lottery added regulation of casinos and sports wagering to its responsibilities, expanding its influence within the state's gambling industry.
Unique Games and Products
Maryland offers a mix of draw games, scratch-offs, and innovative products like FAST PLAY, which includes progressive jackpot instant win tickets—making it one of a select few state lotteries with such a feature.
The Multi-Match game is unique to Maryland, offering a starting jackpot of $500,000 that rolls over until won.
The CASH POP game, introduced in 2024, provides frequent draws and a flexible play style not common in all states.
Security Measures
Maryland transitioned its live televised lottery drawings to secure, computer-based Random Number Generator (RNG) systems, a process supervised with strict security measures, including surveillance and double-lock protocols for machines—enhancing integrity and transparency.
Regulatory Role
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency regulates not only lottery games, but also casinos and sports betting, giving Maryland a broad oversight model compared to many other states.
Community Impact
Since its inception, the Maryland Lottery has returned billions in prizes and revenue to players and the state, playing a prominent role in funding public programs and celebrating major anniversaries, such as its 50th in 2023.
In summary, Maryland stands out for its early adoption, progressive instant games, strong security practices, and regulatory integration with other forms of gambling. This broad scope and innovation distinguish it from most other state lotteries.
Lottery Players in Maryland On a Roll
According to the Maryland Lottery, this recent win marks the 25th progressive jackpot claimed on the FAST PLAY Lucky Numbers game.
The progressive jackpot mechanism begins at $100,000, incrementally increasing with each ticket sold until claimed. Currently, there are still 15 of these progressive jackpots waiting for a winner, in addition to 25 second-tier prizes of $50,000.
This remarkable story adds a new chapter to Annapolis’s array of lottery success tales, reinforcing the notion that sometimes fortune finds you in the most mundane of routines.
But remember, if you do decide to play, always exhibit responsible gambling habits.
