Maryland lottery numbers played for 20 years land woman $150,000
A White Plains woman bought three identical Bonus Match 5 tickets, and each paid a $50,000 top prize.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
A White Plains woman’s Maryland lottery numbers, played for 20 years, finally produced a $150,000 payday after she bought three identical tickets for one Bonus Match 5 drawing. Maryland Lottery said each ticket won the game’s $50,000 top prize, making the total a three-ticket haul rather than a single $150,000 win.
The player, whose name was not released, told Maryland Lottery that she had used the same six numbers for two decades. UPI also reported that the three tickets carried those same numbers for the same drawing.
How did the Maryland woman win $150,000?
She purchased three separate Bonus Match 5 tickets using her regular six-number selection, according to Maryland Lottery. Each ticket matched for a $50,000 top prize, so the awards added up to $150,000.
The tickets were sold at White Plains Wine & Spirits, 4425 Crain Highway in White Plains. Maryland Lottery said the Charles County retailer is set to receive $1,500 in combined selling bonuses.
The woman claimed the prizes Sept. 8 at Maryland Lottery headquarters in Baltimore, the agency said. She said she called her sister to read the results after seeing the apparent win because her husband did not play the lottery.
“I had to talk to someone who gambles!” the winner told Maryland Lottery. Her husband, who accompanied her, said he was “the last one to know,” according to the agency.
The player said it was about 11 p.m. when she learned of the prizes. Maryland Lottery said she later had trouble getting to sleep because of the excitement.
What will the White Plains winner do with the money?
The winner and her husband are retired federal employees, Maryland Lottery said. They expect to put the extra money toward projects at their home.
The result reflects three winning tickets bought for one drawing and the player’s account of sticking with a long-running set of numbers. Neither Maryland Lottery nor UPI described it as a strategy that changes a player’s chances of winning.
Maryland Lottery’s account of the win is available on its website.
This story draws on original reporting from UPI.