Inspired by his late mom, man plays lottery ticket — then wins huge in Maryland

A man with plans to go overseas had to delay his trip — but not for reasons you might think, Maryland officials said.

The day before his trip to visit family, the avid lottery player who enjoys scratchers and occasional Mega Millions tickets, felt inspired by his late mother and decided to buy a ticket, according to an Aug. 13 news release by the Maryland Lottery.

The most he’d ever won was when he teamed up with his co-worker and ended up landing $500, lottery officials said.

That changed when he bought a ticket in Laurel that was carrying a $184,769 prize, officials said.

He bought a $10 ticket and ended up winning the money back, officials said.

Then he drove to another gas station and bought a ticket which turned out to be a dud, officials said.

After learning of the non-winner, he decided to buy a Grand Progressive FAST PLAY ticket and made sure to think of his mom “wishing for a little something extra to bring home to his family,” officials said.

After learning of the win, all the man could say was “Oh my God,” officials said.

He asked the clerk to double check the ticket, then signed it before putting it in a safe place, officials said.

He changed his travel plans so he could claim the prize and hasn’t told his family yet, officials said.

He plans to use the money to help his family, officials said.

Laurel is about a 20-mile drive southwest from Baltimore.

This story was originally published August 14, 2025 at 6:10 PM with the headline "Inspired by his late mom, man plays lottery ticket — then wins huge in Maryland."