Frederick Couple Gets ‘Jump Start’ from $30,000 Lottery Win

Joseph and Sherri Dotson of Frederick are all smiles after claiming a $30,000 Peppermint Payout prize on Jan. 10 at Maryland Lottery headquarters.

Peppermint Payout scratch-off purchase on New Year’s Day produces holiday cheer

After playing Maryland Lottery scratch-offs for many years, a couple from Frederick was pondering a change of game. That idea was followed by a $30,000 top-prize win on the holiday-themed Peppermint Payout instant ticket.

“I was ready to give up,” said Joseph Dotson this week while claiming his prize at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore. “We’ve been playing for a minute.”

Joseph and wife Sherri bought the winning instant ticket during the New Year’s Day holiday. Peppermint Payout was one of two of the $3 instant tickets they bought that day.

“One was not a winner, the other was!” Sherri said.

They plan to pay a few bills with their windfall and then look for a home of their own. “We’re still letting it all sink in,” Joseph said. They are both grateful for the win.

“It’s a blessing from God. We are getting on our feet and this will give us a jump start,” Sherri said.

The win also means they will continue playing scratch-offs as well as Pick 3 games. While they have won before on these games, their previous personal best score was $1,200.

“Nothing this big,” Joseph said.

Sharing in their good fortune is Frederick Major Liquors at 446 Prospect Boulevard in Frederick, where the couple bought the winning ticket. The Lottery will reward the store with a bonus of $300, equal to 1% of the prize, for selling a $30,000 top-prize winning scratch-off.