Retiree’s random numbers deliver game’s top prize in Jan. 26 drawing
A loyal Lottery player from Lanham who has been a longtime Bonus Match 5 fan has finally wound up a big winner! The retiree won $50,015 in the Jan. 26 drawing on a $2 ticket sprinkled with random numbers he selected.
The happy winner and his significant other braved foul weatheron Feb. 11 to visit Lottery headquarters in Baltimore and claim theprize.
“I’m retired from work, I’m retired from fishing and now I’m retired from Bonus Match 5,” he said, laughing. “I chased the Bonus Match 5 and now I caught it and I’m retiring (from the game). I don’t want to give the prize back!”
An avid fan of the Lottery, the Prince George’s County resident plans to switch to another game. His method for picking his winning Bonus Match 5 numbers was a simple one, he said. The numbers had no personal significance.
“I pick a couple of numbers in the 30s and I sprinkle a couple of numbers in between the 30s,” he explained. “This win fell in my lap!”
The winning numbers in the drawing were 14, 23, 35, 36 and 38. There were three lines of numbers on his ticket, and one of them delivered the $50,000 win by matching all five of those numbers. He also won $15 for matching numbers on his other lines. As for his prize, the winner said he would save it for later.
“We’ll put the money to good use,” said his significant other.
The 71-year-old bought his lucky ticket at Landover Hills Exxon in Landover. The retailer located at 6579 Annapolis Road earns a $500 bonus from the Lottery for selling a top-prize winning ticket in the daily game.