National

Friend’s advice pays off big for Maryland lottery player, officials say. ‘It was crazy’

A man won $50,000 on a “Pick 5” lottery ticket in Maryland just days after a friend convinced him to try the game, officials say.
A man won $50,000 on a “Pick 5” lottery ticket in Maryland just days after a friend convinced him to try the game, officials say. Getty Images/iStockphoto

A friend’s advice led a devoted player of the Maryland Lottery’s Pick 3 and Pick 4 games for years to give the Pick 5 game a try, officials said.

The switch paid off five days later with a $50,000 jackpot, the lottery said in a Wednesday, Feb. 28, news release.

“It was crazy,” said the southern Anne Arundel County resident, a retired maintenance worker. At first, he didn’t believe his luck.

“I had to get my wife to look at the ticket,” he told the lottery.

He plans to use the winnings to pay off bills and look into some home renovations, officials said.

The winning ticket was sold at a convenience store in Anne Arundel County.

Anne Arundel County is about 30 miles south of 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 February 28, 2024 at 10:06 AM with the headline "Friend’s advice pays off big for Maryland lottery player, officials say. ‘It was crazy’."

DS
Don Sweeney
The Sacramento Bee
916-321-1028
Don Sweeney has been a newspaper reporter and editor in California for more than 35 years. He is a service reporter based at The Sacramento Bee.
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