LAUREL, Md. — A Prince George’s County taxi driver has claimed a $50,015 top prize in the Maryland Lottery’s Bonus Match 5 game, marking his biggest win after years of regular play. The win came as the driver, unable to work due to a vehicle issue, decided to double his usual ticket purchase in hopes of hitting the jackpot.
The loyal lottery player, who typically bought a ticket for every daily drawing, told Lottery officials he had grown tired of settling for smaller prizes. “I decided to double up until I was back behind the wheel,” he said. The extra purchase paid off when one of his nine lines of numbers delivered the $50,000 top prize on August 28, with another line adding an additional $15.
The next morning, he scanned his ticket and was surprised by the message on the screen. “I’m used to seeing ‘Not a winner,’ $15 and $30 wins, and once even $600. ‘Go to lottery’ was a new one for me,” he recounted, adding that the realization of his win brought a surge of excitement.
The winning ticket was purchased at West Laurel Exxon on Sweitzer Lane, which will receive a $500 bonus for selling the top-prize ticket. This win marks the 23rd time in 2024 that a top-prize Bonus Match 5 ticket has been sold in Maryland.