LA PLATA, Md. — A La Plata woman’s early morning check of her Powerball ticket on the Maryland Lottery app revealed a $50,000 win from the June 25, 2025, drawing, initially seeming like a dream. The retired government employee, who purchased the Quick Pick ticket at Lady’s Liquors at 6474 Crain Highway, confirmed the reality of her third-tier prize on June 27 while claiming it at Maryland Lottery headquarters in Baltimore.
The winner, who frequently buys lottery tickets at Lady’s Liquors, opted for a single Powerball ticket for the June 25 drawing, deviating from her usual practice of playing various games. After discovering the win at 2:30 a.m., she shared the news with her husband and sons. “It could seem like quite a dream,” she said, recalling when she checked her ticket. She plans to use the $50,000 for home improvements.
Lady’s Liquors, located on Crain Highway in La Plata, has a history of selling winning tickets. On March 18, 2014, the store sold one of two winning Mega Millions jackpot tickets, splitting a $414 million prize with a winner in Florida. The Maryland winner claimed their share anonymously, as permitted by state law, much like the recent Powerball winner, who also chose to remain anonymous.
Maryland’s Lottery, established in 1973, contributes to the state’s general fund, supporting education, public safety, and health programs. In fiscal year 2024, the Lottery generated over $1.3 billion in revenue, with more than $800 million directed to state programs. Winners of over $25,000, like the La Plata woman, must claim their prize in person at Lottery headquarters, presenting the ticket and valid identification. As the Maryland Lottery outlines, the claim process ensures secure verification, typically processing payments within two to three weeks.
The procedural aspects of claiming a lottery prize in Maryland involve several steps. After verifying the ticket’s authenticity, Lottery officials confirm the winner’s identity and tax obligations. Federal and state taxes apply to prizes over $5,000, with a federal withholding rate of 24% and a Maryland state withholding rate of 8.95% for residents. After withholding, the La Plata winner’s $50,000 prize will yield a net amount for her planned home improvements, though exact figures depend on her tax status.
Lady’s Liquors, a small retail shop in Charles County, benefits from selling winning tickets through bonus commissions. For the $50,000 Powerball ticket, the store receives a $500 bonus, as Maryland Lottery retailers earn 1% of prizes between $600 and $100,000. The 2014 Mega Millions jackpot sale earned the store a larger bonus due to the prize’s size, reinforcing its reputation as a lucky location for lottery players.
The legal framework governing Maryland’s Lottery ensures transparency and fairness. The Multi-State Lottery Association, which operates Powerball, conducts drawings using certified random number generators or mechanical ball machines, audited for integrity. Winners have 182 days from the drawing date to claim prizes, giving the La Plata woman until late December 2025 to finalize her claim, though she acted swiftly within two days.
According to lottery data, the La Plata woman’s win highlights the appeal of Quick Pick tickets, which account for roughly 70% of Powerball sales nationwide. Her decision to check her ticket via the Maryland Lottery app underscores the role of technology in modern lottery play, offering convenience and immediate results. As she plans her home improvements, her $50,000 prize marks another success story for Lady’s Liquors and the Maryland Lottery.
