Howard County man wins $50K on scratch-off after last-minute stop at closing store
Woodbine, MD – A Howard County man added a $50,000 Maryland Lottery win to what he calls an already incredible year, thanks to a birthday, a pending retirement, a grandchild on the way — and a winning scratch-off purchased just minutes before the store closed.
The loyal lottery player bought the $5,000,000 Fortune ticket at Lisbon Liquors on Frederick Road in Woodbine, after nearly missing his chance. The store was closing for the night, but the employee allowed him in for one final purchase. That decision paid off.
Once home, the player began scratching his tickets and initially believed he had won $30,000 after seeing three $10,000 prize matches. He snapped a photo of the ticket and sent it to a friend — who quickly pointed out that two additional $10,000 matches were visible, bringing the total prize to $50,000.
He plans to use the winnings to bolster his retirement savings as he prepares to leave his job as a landscaper. The timing, he said, couldn’t be better — with retirement around the corner and his first grandchild expected soon.
The $5,000,000 Fortune scratch-off is a $50 ticket that launched in February. It features three top prizes of $5 million, nine second-tier prizes of $100,000, and nine $50,000 prizes. This marks the second $50,000 prize claimed. As of Friday, four $100,000 prizes and one $5 million top prize remain unclaimed.
Key Points
- A Howard County man won $50,000 on a $5,000,000 Fortune scratch-off bought just before store closing
- He initially thought he won $30K until a friend spotted two additional prize matches
- The win comes as he prepares for retirement and the birth of his first grandchild