Upper Marlboro, MD — A Prince George’s County woman turned a delayed decision into a $200,000 payday after waiting several days to scratch a Maryland Lottery ticket her boyfriend encouraged her to buy. The winning moment came from a $50 “$5,000,000 LUXE” scratch-off purchased at a Bowie convenience store, with the prize claimed Thursday at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore.
The woman, a financial specialist from Upper Marlboro, said she initially set the ticket aside instead of scratching it right away—only to later discover a six-figure prize hidden in the final row.
One match, $200,000 payoff
The ticket was purchased at Crain Convenience & Tobacco, located at 1340 Crain Highway in Bowie. According to the Maryland Lottery, the game features 10 rows with five numbers each, offering 50 chances to win.
When she finally scratched the ticket days later, the outcome came down to a single number.
“I took it home and set aside for a time,” she said. When asked why she hadn’t checked it yet, she told her boyfriend, “I’ll let it marinate awhile.”
That patience paid off. The final number in the last row matched, revealing a $200,000 prize.
From missed call to financial planning
After discovering the win, she immediately tried calling her boyfriend—the same person who suggested buying the higher-priced ticket—but he didn’t pick up.
“I guess I’ll give him $5 or $10 since it was his idea,” she joked when claiming the prize April 30.
True to her profession, she said her next step wasn’t celebration but planning. She quickly reviewed the financial implications of the windfall before arranging to claim it.
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Key Points
• Upper Marlboro woman wins $200,000 on $50 scratch-off after waiting days to play
• Winning ticket purchased at Bowie store on Crain Highway
• Prize will go toward bills and retirement savings, winner says
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Changing her lottery habits
The winner said she typically sticks to lower-priced tickets, often buying them as gifts for friends and family.
“It’s fun to see when they win!” she said.
After this experience, however, she plans to occasionally include higher-value tickets in her routine—though sparingly.
Going forward, she expects to buy $50 scratch-offs about once a month.
Game still holds larger prizes
The Maryland Lottery confirmed this is the first of 10 available $200,000 prizes claimed in the $5,000,000 LUXE game, which launched on Feb. 6.
All three of the game’s top prizes—worth $5 million each—remain unclaimed.
For now, the Upper Marlboro winner says her focus is practical: paying down bills and boosting her retirement savings.
She summed up her next move simply: “Load up my IRA.”
The Maryland Lottery has not released her name, and no additional winners tied to this purchase have been announced.
