Retired Brownsburg woman wins record-breaking Hoosier Lottery Fast Play jackpot

Brownsburg, Indiana – In a moment that still feels surreal to her, Gwendolyn Maxey-Crowdus of Brownsburg has become the largest Hoosier Lottery Fast Play winner in history after claiming a staggering $1,995,210 jackpot. The historic win came through the $20 Blazing Hot 7s Fast Play game—setting a new record for the largest prize ever awarded in that category.

Gwendolyn, who usually sticks to playing Powerball, was at her local GetGo store at 1051 N. Green St. in Brownsburg when she noticed something unusual. The jackpot for Blazing Hot 7s was approaching the $2 million mark, and that caught her attention.

Out of curiosity, she purchased a single ticket.

From Shock to Joy in a Matter of Moments

After returning home, Gwendolyn used the Hoosier Lottery mobile app to scan her ticket. A message popped up saying her prize was too large to be redeemed at a retailer. Still skeptical, she assumed it was probably something modest.

“I figured I won $2,000 or a little more,” she said.

But then, as she studied the ticket closely and saw the word “JACKPOT” beneath one of the matched numbers, it began to hit her. Still unsure, she put on her glasses and looked again—then again, and again.

“Actually, I checked it five times,” she said with a laugh. “I just couldn’t believe it.”

She then snapped a picture of the ticket and sent it to her sister, who was equally stunned. When her sister replied, “What is that?”, Gwendolyn answered, “I think I just won a million dollars.”

Plans for the Future and Giving Back

Now retired after a career as a teacher and counselor in Indianapolis Public Schools, Gwendolyn is considering how best to use her winnings. She plans to pay off her debt and buy a one-story home. She also wants to support her church and give back to her aunt, who devoted years to caring for their grandmother.

The win was life-changing, but Gwendolyn remains grounded. She’s thankful for the opportunity to use the money in meaningful ways.

The Hoosier Lottery encourages all players to check their tickets using the free mobile app. Gwendolyn’s record-setting win is not just a personal milestone—it also marks a historic moment for lottery fans across Indiana.