1BALTIMORE, MD — A routine gas stop turned into a $30,000 payday for a Baltimore assistant restaurant manager who scored the top prize on a Maryland Lottery Bonus Crossword scratch-off ticket.

The winner, who also plays soccer in his spare time, bought the $3 ticket from the Sunoco station at 750 East 25th Street. He was fueling his vehicle when he decided to try his luck with a scratch-off. Hours later, at home, he uncovered 10 matching words on the ticket—enough to win the game’s highest prize.

He told officials he chooses tickets based on instinct and doesn’t follow any particular strategy when playing. The Bonus Crossword 7th Edition game offers multiple top prizes of $30,000.

The winner said he plans to use the money to pay off student loans.

Retailers that sell top-prize tickets

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