Maryland Lottery second-chance winner claims $75,000 prize in Upper Marlboro

UPPER MARLBORO, MD – A Prince George’s County woman who nearly dismissed a call from lottery officials is now celebrating a $75,000 windfall after being selected in a second-chance promotion tied to non-winning scratch-off tickets. Yvonne Hodge of Upper Marlboro claimed the grand prize from the Maryland Lottery’s X the Cash promotion, turning what she thought was a routine entry into a significant payout.

Hodge said the moment came as a surprise after she entered several non-winning tickets into her My Lottery Rewards account, a program that gives players additional chances to win. “It was something that I never expected. I’m glad my name popped up,” Yvonne said.

Skepticism nearly costs winner a claim
Despite being notified by a Lottery official, Hodge initially doubted the legitimacy of the win. The retired retail worker said she hesitated to believe the news until her husband urged her to take it seriously.

“Seventy-five thousand dollars is too much money...