HUGHESVILLE, Md. – A Charles County man who normally plays Racetrax struck it big after trying a different game, winning a $50,000 third-tier Powerball prize in the Aug. 16 drawing.
Paul Hamilton, of Hughesville, said he was convinced by his son to take a shot at the billion-dollar jackpot when they stopped at a Wawa in Mechanicsville. Instead of his usual Racetrax picks, he purchased several quick pick Powerball tickets.
“Everyone says I’m lucky,” Hamilton said. “My son told me, ‘Dad, you should try Powerball.’”
More than a week later, the heating and air conditioning company owner checked his ticket on the way home from work. At first, he thought he had won $5,000. Then he noticed the extra zeroes.
He had matched four white balls plus the red Powerball, securing the $50,000 prize. Hamilton rushed home, locked the ticket in a safe, and shared the news with his children. “We just jumped up and down,” he said.
The father of five plans to use the money to pay off debts and said he will keep playing for the record jackpot, which now stands at an estimated $1.8 billion annuity, with a cash option of $826.4 million for Saturday’s drawing.
Hamilton’s winning ticket was purchased at the Wawa on Three Notch Road in Mechanicsville.
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Key Points
- Paul Hamilton of Hughesville won $50,000 on Powerball after usually playing Racetrax.
- His son encouraged him to buy tickets at a Wawa in Mechanicsville.
- He matched four white balls and the Powerball in the Aug. 16 drawing.
A game switch turned into a big win for one lucky Charles County dad.
