BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – A Baltimore City woman can credit family members for her newfound luck playing Bonus Match 5. The 68-year-old player used significant dates from several of her family members to win a $50,000 top prize in her favorite game.
“Family is a treasure. I love my family,” said Malinda Taylor.
A resident of the Gwynn Oak neighborhood in Baltimore City, she told Maryland Lottery officials that her lucky numbers are just one of the ways that she can keep her family close these days. The family hasn’t gathered as often because of COVID-19 health precautions.
“We haven’t had the big get-togethers like the big Labor Day celebration or holidays at my house lately,” Malinda said.
She cobbled together her winning Bonus Match 5 numbers for the Sept. 8 drawing using dates tied to specific people. “Along with my birth date, there’s also my husband’s birthday, my daughter’s and my son’s month and day,” she told Lottery officials. All five numbers were drawn on Sept. 8. She also won $15 for matching three numbers on a second line of the $6 ticket.
Malinda said the lucky $50,000 windfall would go to pay off bills and all of her debts. She will still have enough left over, she said, to have a really good time!
The winner bought her lucky Bonus Match 5 ticket at Woodmoor Shell Food Mart located at 7001 Liberty Road in Baltimore. For selling the $50,000 top-prize winning ticket, the store earned a $500 retailer bonus from the Lottery.