What A Deal: Pasadena Player Wins $50,000 On Scratch-Off

Winning $50,000 by scratching off a $5 Maryland Lottery Deal Or No Deal instant ticket left a Pasadena woman in disbelief.

Heather Dorr, 33, bought the lucky scratch-off at Dash In on December 3. She went to her car, scratched off the instant ticket and couldn’t believe her eyes. The Pasadena player ran back into the store and asked the staff to scan the instant ticket to confirm her big win.

“They said, ‘Oh my God, you won $50,000,’” Dorr said, recalling her winning moment with lottery officials while at lottery headquarters in Baltimore.

Asked if she had any plans for her winnings, Dorr said, “I have no idea. I feel like it’s not really happening.” She said the prize will probably end up in her savings account.

The loyal player picks up a scratch-offs from time to time, generally at Dash In where she is a frequent customer. Although she enjoys playing scratch-offs, she had never won a prize prior to her big score. She also had no particular reason for choosing the Deal Or No Deal instant ticket.

“I just walked in and said, ‘That one looks good,’” Heather said.

She became the third person to claim one of the game’s eight top prizes of $50,000, which left another five big-winning scratch-offs awaiting discovery at lottery retailers.

Her lucky lottery retailer also won. For selling a top-prize winning scratch-off, the Pasadena Dash In, located at 3900 Mountain Road, received a bonus of $500 from the Maryland Lottery. The bonus is equal to 1% of the prize.