News writer
We were all younger at some point in our lives. We had big dreams and no money to make those dreams come true. Can you imagine winning the lottery at a young age and getting a jumpstart on your life?
That is what happened here, as a Maryland man won $250,000 recently playing the Maryland Lottery, and it got us thinking. How amazing would that be? It's not the first time that it happened either, as we look into some other lottery winners who hit it big at such a young age!
"A nice jumpstart" to his life
The latest younger lottery winner is a mid-20s man from Annapolis who happens to be a casual but consistent lottery player. He got a big boost to his bank account by winning a $250,000 top prize on the $250,000 Cash Winfall scratch-off.
He recently claimed his winnings, telling lottery officials, “This is a life-changing amount.” Adding that the money will be “a nice jumpstart” to his life.
The lucky man didn't think any of it was real until he made his way to the Maryland Lottery Headquarters and filled out the claim forms. Now, “it's definitely real,” he said.
With the money in hand, he didn't have any immediate plans for the money, but he said, “I'm going to try to better my life.”
He bought the winning ticket at Quick Mart, located at 900 West Street in Annapolis. For selling the winning ticket, the lucky lottery retailer will receive a $1,000 bonus from the state lottery.
Gut feeling leads to a $2 million win
An 18-year-old from North Carolina went to the gas station to fill up his lawnmower back in April 2024, but a gut feeling told him he should buy a lottery ticket. That feeling paid off, as Donnie Leviner of Laurinburg ended up walking away with a $2 million win!
The teen told lottery officials he had only bought a few lottery tickets before the big winner.
“I was in disbelief,” Leviner said. “I really didn't think it was true.”
Leviner's gut told him to purchase a $20 Big Cash Payout ticket, and he ended up scratching his way to $2 million.
The teen opted for the lump sum payment, so he took home $858,006 after the required state and federal tax withholdings. He had no plans for the money, but he wanted to “spend it wisely.”
More life-changing wins
Another big scratch-off win, but this time in Florida for a 19-year-old man. In June 2024, Hyury Oliveira claimed $1,000,000 from the $1,000,000 A YEAR FOR LIFE SPECTACULAR scratch-off game.
While it wasn't the top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life, it was still a big chunk of change for the Florida teen. Hyury chose to receive his winnings as a one-time lump sum payment of $640,000.
19 years old and over half a million dollars added to his bank account!
North Carolina teens have some luck
Another teenager in North Carolina found themselves winning $1 million on a scratch-off ticket in 2024.
Jalen McLean, 18, said he felt like the “luckiest guy in the universe” after he won $1 million on a $10 scratch-off ticket in May 2024.
The teen gave his sister some money and told her to pick out a scratch-off ticket for him. She chose a good one, as McLean took home the top prize on the ticket and did so with a huge smile on his face.
McLean told lottery officials, “How many 18-year-olds win something like this?”
When claiming his prize, McLean actually chose the annuity of $50,000 for the next 19 years option, so until he is 38. He received his first payment and told officials he planned on buying an Audi with his winnings.
Enjoy playing the lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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