 Anthony Campbell of Pennsylvania is all smiles after claiming his $50,000 Powerball prize. |
Former Essex resident may go motorcycle shopping with weekend winnings
Anthony Campbell has played Powerball on a regular basis for years and had not ever experienced a big win – until Nov. 28.
The refrigeration technician matched four numbers plus the Powerball in the Nov. 28 drawing, becoming the only Maryland player to win a $50,000 prize and one of nine nationwide to claim that amount. The former Essex resident spent Thanksgiving weekend moving to Littlestown, Pa., but still works in Maryland servicing refrigeration units at numerous commercial clients.
The 45-year-old purchased his winning ticket at 7-Eleven #32961 at 9051 Snouffer School Road in Gaithersburg. He was so busy over the weekend he didn’t check his numbers until Nov. 30.
“I had two of them, and I didn’t win anything on the first one, but the other one said ‘Cash at Lottery,’ ” Anthony said. “I’ve been playing for 20 years. It’s great to finally hit!”
The largest Lottery prize he won prior to his Powerball windfall was $5,000 on a Ravens Cash Fantasy scratch-off last year. Rather than playing lucky numbers, Campbell relies on the computer to Quick Pick his Powerball digits.
“My mom played her numbers all the time before she passed, and then I started playing too,” Anthony said. “I’ve tried that, but I do the Quick Pick a lot. My numbers never show up.”
The happy winner said he had no immediate plans for his prize. He’s a motorcycle enthusiast who attends bike weeks in Ocean City and Gettysburg, Pa., and is hoping to buy a Harley-Davidson.
“Not a new one, but something decent,” he said. “I don’t want to blow it all.”
Powerball is a multi-state jackpot game drawn Wednesday and Saturday nights. Tickets are $2, and players have the option to add the Power Play multiplier for an additional $1. That feature multiplies all prizes by as much as 10 times, except for the jackpot and second-tier prizes.