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Lottery player checks ticket while waiting in line for snacks — and learns he won big

A long-time lottery player won a big prize after buying a ticket in Capitol Heights, Maryland.
A long-time lottery player won a big prize after buying a ticket in Capitol Heights, Maryland. Getty Images/iStockphoto

A long-time lottery player was standing in line for snacks when he decided to check his ticket in Maryland.

That’s when he learned he was a $50,000 winner.

The man bought a Pick 5 game from a liquor store in Capitol Heights, the Maryland Lottery said in a June 26 news release.

“The loyal player placed a $1 straight bet on the number 41083,” lottery officials said in the release.

He checked the ticket as he was standing in line for snacks and saw he had won $50,000, lottery officials said.

He went to his car to get away from a crowd and double-checked the ticket, and sure enough, he was a winner.

“I finally got it! I’ve been playing the same numbers for years!” he told lottery officials.

Now, the man, who has been playing the lottery for 50 years, has plans to use the prize money on bills, a vacation and to put some in savings.

“You better believe it, there’s more money out there to be won and I hope to win it,” he said, per the release.

Capitol Heights is about a 35-mile drive southwest from Baltimore.

Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.

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This story was originally published June 26, 2024 at 4:48 PM with the headline "Lottery player checks ticket while waiting in line for snacks — and learns he won big."

Helena Wegner
McClatchy DC
Helena Wegner is a McClatchy National Real-Time Reporter covering the state of Washington and the western region. She’s a journalism graduate from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She’s based in Phoenix.
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