A Dundalk truck driver got an unexpected $50,000 payday after making a quick lottery stop during a delivery run in late July.
Jason Nixon stopped at a 7-Eleven at 162 Ritchie Highway in Severna Park and bought a $10 FAST PLAY Big Win ticket from a vending machine. He later scanned the ticket at two other stores and finally confirmed the big news: he had won $50,000.
“It was crazy,” Nixon told Maryland Lottery officials.
Even after checking the ticket several times, Nixon said he could hardly believe it. He eventually claimed the prize with his wife, Elaine.
More Big Prizes Are Still Out There
The Maryland Lottery announced Nixon's win on August 17, 2026. But the FAST PLAY Big Win game still has plenty of opportunities remaining:
- 20 top prizes of $100,000
- 16 prizes of $50,000
FAST PLAY works differently from traditional scratch-off games. Tickets are printed on demand when purchased, and progressive jackpot amounts can increase as more tickets are sold.
The result is immediate, too. Players don't have to wait for a scheduled drawing to find out whether they've won.
FAST PLAY Has Delivered Huge Wins in 2026
Nixon's $50,000 prize is just one of several major FAST PLAY wins in Maryland this year.
In late May, a Delaware couple bought a $10 Platinum Payout ticket at a gas station in Willards and landed a $176,777 progressive jackpot. Shortly before that, a $10 High Roller Blackjack ticket sold in Accokeek produced a $114,257 jackpot.
An even bigger win came in March when a Bel Air retiree turned a $20 FAST PLAY Super 777 ticket into an $828,616 progressive jackpot. Two days later, a Pennsylvania resident bought a FAST PLAY Grand Progressive ticket in Temple Hills worth $289,415.
Dundalk Has Been on a Lottery Hot Streak
Nixon's win adds to a string of big prizes connected to Dundalk.
In July, a Dundalk couple won a $500,000 top prize on a $20 Gifts of Green scratch-off ticket. Earlier, a local warehouse worker used a 50X multiplier on a $10 MONOPOLY X50 ticket to turn a $1,000 prize into $50,000.
Maryland Records a Record-Breaking Gaming Year
The big lottery wins came during a record year for Maryland's regulated gaming industry.
During Fiscal Year 2026, Maryland Lottery, casino, sports betting and fantasy sports operations generated a combined $1.637 billion for state programs. That topped the previous fiscal year's total by $48 million.
Here's how the money broke down:
- Lottery profits: $681.6 million
- Casino gaming: $822.2 million
- Sports wagering and fantasy sports: $133.3 million
That's an average of about $4.48 million per day going toward state causes.
Education received a major share, with $699.8 million directed to Maryland education programs.
What Happens When You Win Big?
Maryland has specific rules for claiming lottery prizes.
Prizes above $25,000 must be claimed at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore by appointment, while prizes of $5,000 or less can be claimed at participating retailers.
Maryland also allows lottery winners to remain anonymous. Winners can choose whether to publicly reveal their identity.
Taxes are another factor. Federal withholding is 24% on prizes above $5,000. Maryland withholds 8.75% for state residents and 7% for non-residents, with local taxes potentially applying to Maryland residents.
For Nixon's $50,000 prize, that means the amount he actually takes home will be considerably less after required withholding.
Still, with 36 major FAST PLAY prizes remaining, another Maryland player could be in line for a life-changing surprise next.
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