On a seemingly ordinary day in March 2024, a routine trip to a convenience store transformed the life of a woman from Westminster, Maryland.
Typically, she would indulge in a scratch-off game when the mood to participate in the lottery struck her, steering clear from draw games most of the time. However, this visit was different. Compelled by a change of heart during a quick stop to buy cigarettes at the local Pantry One Food Mart & Deli in Randallstown, she opted to try her luck with the Bonus Match 5 game.
Little did she know, this choice would lead her to claim a staggering $51,247 prize.
Fortunate Numbers Lead to a Hefty Prize
The grandmother, a Carroll County inhabitant, harbors a unique strategy for the occasions she ventures into playing Bonus Match 5; she employs a specific set of numbers believed to bring her fortune. On this particular $6 ticket purchase for the drawing dated March 3, the numbers 1, 6, 9, 25, and 36 were selected. Remarkably, these numbers aligned perfectly with the draw, bagging her the top prize of $50,000.
But the luck didn’t end there; the total prize swelled to $51,247 as several other boards she played showed matching numbers, further adding to her win.
The Aftermath of the Win
“I’m still pinching myself,” expressed the winner, overwhelmed by the turn of events and her newfound lottery success.
Despite the life-changing win, she plans to continue her job as an office secretary, a role she’s dedicatedly fulfilled for years. Her hobbies include sewing and cherishing moments with her family. When pondering over how to utilize her winnings, her thoughts revolve around her loved ones, planning to spend the prize money on her family, albeit without any specific expenditures in mind.
A Win-Win for the Retailer
Pantry One Food Mart & Deli, situated at 5100 Old Court Road in Baltimore County, also finds a reason to celebrate. For selling the top-prize winning ticket, the Lottery awarded the business a $500 bonus. This marks the eighth instance of a top-prize ticket being sold for the Bonus Match 5 game in 2024, adding a note of excitement to the local community and the lottery players alike.
The Maryland Lottery: A Brief Overview
The Maryland Lottery stands as a significant contributor to the state’s economy, generating substantial revenue for Maryland’s general fund, which supports education, public health, and safety, as well as environmental initiatives.
Established in 1973, it has evolved over the decades to include a variety of games including scratch-offs, draw games like the Bonus Match 5, and multi-state games such as Powerball and Mega Millions. The lottery’s commitment to responsible gaming and its contributions to the state make it a valued institution among Marylanders. Through its operations, the Maryland Lottery continues to create winners, contribute to the state’s welfare, and offer entertainment to its participants.