Woman’s dad inspires her to play lottery in Maryland. Then prize had her ‘laughing’

A woman, inspired by her dad to play the lottery, “couldn’t stop laughing” after learning of her prize, Maryland officials said.

The woman started playing lottery games about a year ago because her father would often play during her childhood, according to a Sept. 24 news release from the Maryland Lottery.

She had no idea a $15 Mega Millions ticket she’d buy in Pasadena would be worth a $40,000 prize, officials said.

She experienced her first win with a Pick 4 ticket after using random numbers, officials said.

After the “unexpected victory,” she was hooked.

“I usually play when I’m feeling lucky or when the jackpot gets really high,” she told lottery officials.

When she saw the Mega Millions jackpot had reached a “thrilling” $800 million she knew she had to go with her “instincts,” officials said.

She scanned her ticket and learned she’d won $10,000 and the 4X Megaplier, meaning the sum quadrupled, officials said.

“It felt unreal!,” she told lottery officials.

The woman shared the good news with her dad but has special plans to surprise her husband, officials said.

She plans to take him to a “nice dinner out,” officials said.

As for what she plans to do with the winnings, she will save the majority of the money with some of the prize going toward early Christmas shopping, officials said.

“I want to make sure my loved ones have an amazing Christmas this year,” she said in the release.

Pasadena is about a 15-mile drive south of Baltimore.

This story was originally published September 24, 2024 at 5:41 PM with the headline "Woman’s dad inspires her to play lottery in Maryland. Then prize had her ‘laughing’."