A Baltimore optician, who has been a loyal scratch-off ticket player, has won a staggering $50,000 top prize in her first ever Bonus Match 5 game. Despite being a devoted instant ticket enthusiast who even passed on the Powerball when the jackpot exceeded $1 billion, the lucky lady decided to branch out after being encouraged by her mother.
The optician took her mother’s advice and purchased a $2 quick-pick ticket from Tobacco Barrel #307, located at 3834 East Lombard Street in Baltimore. To her astonishment, she won the top prize in the October 10 drawing. “Oh my,” was all she could muster when she realized she had won, as she watched the news the following morning. She promptly called her mother to share the exciting news and then informed her husband of 32 years.
The fortunate winner has been working as an optician for three decades. She plans to use her substantial prize to pay off bills and will also share some of the winnings with family members. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, baking, and decorating her home.
As a reward for selling the $50,000 top-prize winning Bonus Match 5 ticket, Tobacco Barrel #307 will receive a $500 bonus from the Lottery. The store joins a growing list of lucky retailers; this year alone, the Lottery has sold 26 top-prize winning tickets in the daily Bonus Match 5 game.
The win has not only changed the optician’s financial outlook but may also have converted her into a more versatile Lottery player. With her first Bonus Match 5 game proving to be this successful, it’s safe to say she might be diversifying her Lottery game choices in the future.