A woman from South Maryland was in shock after scoring a five-figure prize from a popular draw game.
The woman, initially couldn't believe that she won one of the top prizes from Bonus Match 5 for a sweet $50,000 payout.
On Monday, the Maryland Lottery confirmed in a press release that the fortunate winner is a frequent lottery player.
The Charles County woman decided to try her luck after purchasing a $4 ticket with six lines from Jimmies Wine & Spirit at 6270 Brandywine Road in Hughesville.
In an interview for an official with the Lottery, the woman admitted that while she has previously won prizes, the huge $50,000 payout marks the first win of such size.
"I was totally shocked. It is a real blessing," the lucky woman said, recalling the moment she realized she had won $50,000.
The fortunate lottery player was asked about her plans for the unexpected windfall.
The Charles County woman admitted that she will likely spend part of her newfound fortune on a home improvement project. The rest of the win, she plans to keep in the bank.
Jimmies Wine & Spirit, the retailer that sold the winning ticket, is also in for a treat as the business will receive a $500 Lottery bonus for selling the Bonus Match 5 top prize.
The lucky winner admitted that she often plays the lottery, using a combination of numbers comprising of birth dates and random numbers.
Several days after she purchased her ticket, she decided to visit the same spot and check if she had won.
To her surprise, the $50,000 Bonus Match 5 prize appeared. The woman admitted that she initially thought she was wrong.
"I had to keep cleaning my glasses to make sure I was seeing the right message. I tried doing this without bringing any attention to myself," the lucky winner said.
Bonus Match 5 drawings are held every evening, seven days a week.
The game grants players an option to play with the same numbers for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 drawings in a row thanks to a feature available via self-service terminals.
The chances of winning the top $50,000 prize with a $1 ticket are 1 in 575,757.
On the other hand, the chances of winning the top prize with a $2 ticket are 1 in 191,919.
The overall odds of winning any prize with a $1 ticket are 1 in 52, while the overall probability of winning per $2 ticket is 1 in 17.
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