Charles Watkins, of Clinton, plans to put the winnings from his $50,000 Pick 5 win toward growing his many business ventures.
A Clinton man happily entered the Maryland Lottery’s winner’s circle after claiming a $50,000 prize playing Pick 5, a prize he attributes in part to playing more during September.
All September long, Charles Watkins had been playing a little more than usual. The Prince George’s County resident said it’s his lucky month because of his birthday on the 13th. This year’s Lottery birthday blitz brought him a few wins here and there, but on September 27 he was shocked by a pair of prizes, including that $50,000 win on Pick 5.
“I didn’t even know I hit until a few days later, I checked my box ticket first and it was a $5,000 win,” Charles said. “I was happy about that and wasn’t even paying attention to my straight ticket.”
Later, the winner checked his $1 straight ticket and realized he also had a straight bet win yielding him $50,000.
“I was a bit in shock,” he said when he claimed the prize at Lottery headquarters on Oct. 9. “It’s a great feeling.”
Charles shared that he has many endeavors and will use the winnings to invest in his businesses. The entrepreneur said he is a graphic designer, a personal trainer, a martial arts teacher, a mechanic and a dancer. In addition, he also collects antique cars, fixes them up, keeps some and sells others.
“It takes money to make money,” he said.
The $50,000 Pick 5 ticket was purchased at the Royal Farms store at 5200 Auth Road in Camp Springs, which receives a $500 bonus for selling the top-tier winner.
