Howard County Man Wins $50,000 Lottery Prize, Struggles to Stay Calm After Surprise Ticket Scan

Columbia, MD — A routine lottery habit turned into a $50,000 surprise for a Howard County man who says even his usually calm demeanor was tested after discovering he held a top-prize-winning ticket. The Columbia office worker claimed the Bonus Match 5 prize on Tuesday, April 29, after unknowingly carrying the winning ticket for several days.

The winning ticket was purchased at Market Lot Liquors in Hagerstown, a stop he made while traveling for work.

Routine purchase leads to unexpected windfall

The winner told Maryland Lottery officials he regularly plays each week and is accustomed to small or moderate prizes. This time, however, the outcome was dramatically different.

“I play every week and have had plenty of serious wins,” he said. “I thought I kne...