Switching Scratch-off Sports Game Changes Columbia Mom’s Luck

“Lucky Columbia Mom” switched things up to win a $50,000 top prize on the Home Run Riches scratch-off.

Claims $50,000 top prize on Home Run Riches game

Wednesday was more than just a routine grocery day for a Howard County woman and her mother. They noticed a nearby Maryland Lottery retailer as they left the grocery store and stopped by, turning Wednesday into the woman’s luckiest day yet! She won a $50,000 top prize playing a Home Run Riches scratch-off.

The pair arrived at Laurel Liquors and made an against-the-grain instant ticket selection that contributed to their Lottery luck. Both love football but instead of playing one of their favorite Ravens instant tickets, they each picked a baseball-themed Home Run Riches scratch-off. Neither of them care much about baseball but that lucky decision was worth $50,000.

“It was sort of a joke,” the 25-year-old winner explained. “I guess we both needed to change our luck with Lottery tickets, so we sort of picked the opposite of what we usually play.”

Scratching her game there in the passenger seat of the car on the way home, the Columbia woman whispered to her mother that she’d won. Her mom, initially dubious, replied, “What, $5?” She was finally convinced when she saw her daughter’s happy tears. “It’s real mom, I really won $50,000,” the daughter said.

The Columbia winner, who is also a mother of one, dubbed herself “Lucky Columbia Mom” for her Lottery publicity. She plans to dedicate portions of her Home Run Riches prize to savings, to bills and to a vacation with her daughter. She will also share some of the prize with her mom. The loyal player found the fourth $50,000 top prize claimed since Home Run Riches’ late-February debut. The $5 instant ticket has three more big winners to offer as well as seven $5,000 second-tier prizes.

The duo bought their instant tickets from Laurel Liquors at 420 Sandy Spring Road in Laurel. For selling a top-prize winning scratch-off in the game, the Prince George’s County retailer earns a $500 bonus from the Lottery.