Pittsville Bonus Match 5 fan Steven Serio celebrates in the winner’s circle at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore after winning $50,000 on the game.
A Wicomico County man happily claimed a $50,000 Bonus Match 5 prize two days before Christmas, and it turns out winning runs in his family. By his side was his mother, who won $150,000 on the same game eight years ago.
Steven Serio’s energy was through the roof when he claimed his Bonus Match 5 prize Dec. 23 at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore. Random numbers that he and his mother Diane have been playing for years gave him a $50,000 win. The player said those numbers weren’t always his pick, but a mistake a few years ago changed his luck for the better.
“I was filling out the play slip without my glasses and penciled in the wrong numbers,” the Pittsville resident said. “But, when I saw the mistake on my ticket, I just decided to continue to play those numbers.”
Good thing he did, because that mistake is how he won the $50,000 Bonus Match 5 game from the Dec.21 drawing. The winner said he was home watching the Ravens game when he checked his ticket.
“I know the numbers by heart, so I knew right away that I won,” said the stunned winner. “Don’t get me wrong, I love the Ravens, but at that point I didn’t care about the game.”
The winner knew he had to show his mother, who won $150,000 on Bonus Match 5 in 2017.
“He came to me crying,” said Diane, who accompanied him to claim the prize at Lottery headquarters on Dec. 23. “He was so calm telling me how blessed we are.”
Steven said he plans to square up his finances and then go shopping.
Also celebrating is the Wicomico County retailer that sold the winning ticket: Pittsville Mart at 34430 Old Ocean City Road in Pittsville, which receives a $500 bonus.
