Maryland Man Wins $100,000 Lottery Prize After Stranger's Advice

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A Maryland man won a $100,000 lottery prize after taking a stranger's advice to try a new $25 Crossword scratch-off game. The man, a construction worker from Hyattsville, usually plays bingo-style scratch-offs but decided to give the new game a try during a 7-Eleven visit. He continued his normal day, including going to work, before realizing he had won the big prize.

Why it matters

This story highlights how a simple suggestion from a stranger can lead to a life-changing lottery win. It also shows that even routine daily activities like stopping for a lottery ticket can result in unexpected good fortune. The win is the second top prize for the new $1,000,000 Crossword scratch-off game, indicating strong interest and payouts for this particular lottery product.

The details

The Hyattsville man, a construction worker, typically plays bingo-style scratch-off games. But during a visit to a 7-Eleven last month, another customer suggested he try the new $1,000,000 Crossword scratch-off game. The man took the advice, bought a ticket, and continued his day as normal, including going to work. It wasn't until his break that he scratched the ticket and realized he had won a $100,000 prize, the second-tier prize for the game.

• The man won the $100,000 prize in March 2026.
• The first $1 million prize for the $1,000,000 Crossword game was claimed on February 25, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Maryland Lottery says there are three remaining $1 million top prizes and nine $100,000 second-tier prizes still available for the $1,000,000 Crossword scratch-off game.