Claims top prize in May 31 Bonus Match 5 drawing
A 61-year-old Bonus Match 5 fan did a double take when checking his tickets for a win after the May 31 drawing. The Silver Spring man matched all five numbers on the first line of his quick-pick ticket to score a $50,000 win.
The path to the Montgomery County man’s good fortune began earlier that day when he stopped at the Food Stop Mini Mart located at 4820 Boiling Brook Parkway in Rockville. The lucky guy chatted it up with the store clerks, who know him well, bought a cold drink and purchased a nine-line, one-draw quick-pick Bonus Match 5 ticket for that evening’s drawing. After his friendly visit, the golf shop manager headed home.
That night, using the Maryland Lottery mobile app, the big winner pulled out his ticket to see if he had matched any of the winning numbers. It appeared his ticket was a winner, but could his eyes be deceiving him?
“The very first line of my ticket matched the numbers drawn,” said the lucky player. “But the phone screen is so small. I had to take out my laptop to double check so I could see the numbers on a bigger screen.”
The married father of one called his wife to come take a look. She thought his win was only for $500. “When she realized it was a $50,000 win, she made sure I signed the ticket and I gave it to her for safekeeping,” said the winner, smiling.
The lucky player told Lottery officials that he plans to use some of the prize for college tuition and will put the rest into savings.
His Montgomery County Lottery retailer is also celebrating this win. For selling a top-prize winning Bonus Match 5 ticket, Food Stop Mini Mart receives a $500 bonus from the Lottery.
