Big Ticket pays big in Princess Anne

 (Crisfield-Somerset County Times)

MD. LOTTERY PHOTO

Princess Anne mechanic Gregory Cottman drove away with the first $100,000 Maryland Riches top prize the first week of May, having purchased his ticket at Thirsty’s on Somerset Avenue.

BALTIMORE — A Somerset County Lottery player claimed the first $100,000 top prize on the $10 oversized Maryland Riches scratch-off.

Gregory Cottman said he noticed the large Maryland Riches scratch off, bright and bold in a dispenser, when he visited his favorite Lottery retailer, Thirsty’s, in Princess Anne, and decided to try it out.

“The ticket was huge,” the 68-year-old explained. “That’s what got me to play, and now it’s my go-to game.”

Mr. Cottman decided to scratch the ticket while in the store, and instantly saw he was a winner. He was in disbelief, but also so excited that he shared the news with everyone in the store, including his brother who now continues to boast that he’s related to a big winner.

While Mr. Cottman said he has won smaller amounts in the past, he never won anything this large. He plans to pay off bills.

For selling the $100,000 top-prize winning scratch-off, Thirsty’s at 12020 Somerset Avenue will receive a $1,000 bonus.

The Maryland Riches game went on sale on March 20 and this top-prize win from the first week of May left nine top prizes available along with other prizes ranging from $10 to $10,000.