 Gary from Cecil County claimed a $50,000 top prize in the July 21 Bonus Match 5 game. |
Cecil County man wins $50,000 with lucky numbers
A construction worker named Gary who has been a regular Bonus Match 5 player for years landed the game’s $50,000 top prize.
His Lottery luck arrived with the July 21 drawing, when one of the lines on Gary’s ticket matched the five numbers that were drawn: 3, 6, 13, 17 and 38.
“I play the same numbers all the time and I knew it was going to come – I just knew it was going to come,” said the Cecil County man, who was joined by his wife and a friend as he claimed his prize at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore.
Even after the Rising Sun resident knew he was a big winner, no one else did. Employees at the retailer where he bought the ticket, Elkton Fairhill Services at 4428 Telegraph Road in Elkton, were asking customers if anyone knew who purchased the lucky ticket. The store even displayed a banner announcing its sale of a $50,000 winner. Gary never said a word to anyone, other than his wife of 10 years.
“I went home to her and I said, ‘Sit down … you know the Bonus Match 5? I hit that,’ ” he said.
The lucky winner has enjoyed additional success in Bonus Match 5 drawings since his big win, claiming three separate $400 prizes. The hard-working man had to wait more than a month before he could find time to travel to Lottery headquarters to claim his top prize. He’s also had luck over the years at Keno, once winning $2,600.
“Keno and Bonus Match 5 are the two I like,” he said. “$50,000 is enough for me. It’s a good game to play.”
The 58-year-old winner and his wife plan to use some of their prize money on home remodeling projects. Elkton Fairhill Services is a winner as well. The retailer will receive a $500 bonus from the Lottery for selling the top-prize ticket.