SEVERN, MD—He hadn’t bought an instant ticket in months, an Anne Arundel County man told Maryland Lottery officials this week, but a spur-of-the-moment Walmart stop and the memory of his last big win combined to end his gaming pause and establish him as Maryland’s newest millionaire.

“I stopped playing a while back for two reasons,” the grocery store produce manager explained. “I hadn’t been having much luck, and my wife hinted that maybe I was spending too much.”

He also had not had significant success since winning $200 playing a 50X The Cash scratch-off in February.

“Not winning much made it easy to take a break, and I could show my wife that I understood her concerns.”

Recently, circumstances convinced him to “get back in the game.” Remembering an errand his wife had asked him to handle, the Severn resident made a quick stop at a Columbia Walmart on his way home from work.

“I turned a corner and there was a Lottery vending machine. The first game I saw in it was 100X The Cash, which made me think of my last big winner.”

The instant tickets are two of a six-game family of scratch-off games with similar play style, ever-increasing top prizes and a second-chance promotion.

The loyal player bought the instant ticket that caught his eye and would, less than a minute later, cause him to catch his breath.

“When I scratched the million dollar win I was shocked, but stayed very calm. I was just overwhelmed with gratitude.”

Hurrying to his son’s office, the happy dad showed him the big win as discretely as he could. “My son kept his cool, but there were tears in his eyes. It was very emotional for us.”

The lucky winner plans to share his good fortune with his family and build up a retirement nest egg. “My wife and I are so relieved not to have to worry about our future.”

Maryland’s most recent millionaire has very good things to say about the Walmart at 6405 Dobbin Road. He, understandably, is a very satisfied customer.