Nurse almost didn’t buy scratch-off. Then she has to borrow glasses to confirm big win

A nurse was left with “overwhelming excitement” after learning of her lottery win, Maryland officials said.

Brenda Richardson of Baltimore was in Rosedale when she bought the Bonus Crossword game, according to a May 1 news release by the Maryland Lottery. She had no clue a split-second decision would land her $30,000.

She was about to leave the store. But after seeing the store clerk restock the game, she decided to buy another ticket as she’s a “firm believer” in winning scratch-offs being at the “beginning and ends of each book,” officials said.

Richardson had to ask to borrow someone’s glasses to confirm the $30,000 win, officials said.

That wasn’t enough confirmation for Richardson so she asked the store clerk to take a look, lottery officials said.

That’s when Richardson called her family to share the good news, officials said.

Richardson plans to use the money toward buying a new car, officials said.

The shop that sold Richardson the winning ticket will receive a $300 bonus, officials said.

Rosedale is about a 5-mile drive northeast of Baltimore.

This story was originally published May 1, 2024 at 5:30 PM with the headline "Nurse almost didn’t buy scratch-off. Then she has to borrow glasses to confirm big win."