A Southern Maryland man placed three identical Pick 5 bets and watched all of them hit for a six-figure payday
LA PLATA, Md. — A Charles County man turned a number he knows by heart into a $150,000 lottery windfall after placing three winning Pick 5 tickets using his employee number.
The La Plata resident claimed the prize this week after matching all five digits in the Maryland Lottery’s June 5 evening Pick 5 drawing.
According to lottery officials, the winner regularly plays his employee number and purchased three separate $1 straight Pick 5 tickets using the same combination. When the exact number was drawn, each ticket won a top prize of $50,000, resulting in a combined payout of $150,000.
The federal government employee said he purchased the tickets just hours before the drawing at Lady’s Liquors, located at 6474 Crain Highway in La Plata.
Despite buying the tickets, he never watched the drawing.
Lottery officials said the winner fell asleep before the evening numbers were announced and did not discover the win until the following morning.
After checking the tickets and seeing the winning combination, he scanned them using his phone and confirmed that all three tickets were top-prize winners.
The winner said he had not immediately shared the news, even with his children, and planned to surprise family members.
He told lottery officials he intends to use the money to pay bills, assist relatives and potentially take a trip.
The La Plata resident has worked for the federal government for nearly a decade and enjoys roller skating in his spare time.
Lady’s Liquors will receive a $500 bonus for each winning ticket sold, earning a total retailer bonus of $1,500.
Key Points
- A La Plata man won $150,000 by purchasing three winning Pick 5 tickets with the same number combination.
- The winner used his employee number on all three $1 straight bets.
- Lady’s Liquors in La Plata sold the tickets and earned a $1,500 retailer bonus.
