On a typical August day in Mechanicsville, Paul Hamilton, a Hughesville resident and father of five, made a decision that changed his fortunes. Known for his occasional wins playing Maryland Lottery’s Racetrax, Hamilton took a chance on Powerball at his son’s urging, landing a $50,000 third-tier prize in the August 16, 2025, drawing. The win, sparked by a spontaneous choice at a local Wawa, has the Charles County business owner planning to stabilize his finances while eyeing the game’s massive jackpot, now at an estimated $1.8 billion.
Hamilton, who runs a heating and air conditioning company, typically plays Racetrax, a virtual horse racing game offered by the Maryland Lottery. “Everyone says I’m lucky,” he told lottery officials during his prize claim in Baltimore on September 5, 2025. His small, consistent wins with Racetrax had built a reputation for good fortune among friends and family. On August 14, while at the Wawa store at 27605 Three Notch Road in Mechanicsville with his son, Hamilton decided to test that luck on a game with higher stakes. “My son said: ‘Dad, you’re lucky. You should try Powerball,’” he recalled.
Following his son’s advice, Hamilton purchased several quick-pick Powerball tickets, where numbers are randomly generated. He didn’t think much of it at the time, continuing his busy routine as a business owner and father. More than a week later, while driving home from work, he stopped to check his tickets. Scanning one at a lottery retailer, he initially thought he’d won $5,000. “But then I realized there were too many zeroes,” he said, describing the moment he discovered the $50,000 prize. The ticket had matched four white balls and the red Powerball, securing the third-tier prize in the August 16 drawing.
Elated, Hamilton rushed home to Hughesville, a small community in Charles County known for its rural charm and proximity to major routes like Three Notch Road. He secured the winning ticket in a safe and shared the news with his two youngest children, including the son who had encouraged him to play. “He was so happy for me,” Hamilton said. “We just jumped up and down.”
The $50,000 win comes at a pivotal time for Hamilton, who plans to use the funds to “square his finances.” As the owner of a heating and air conditioning business, he understands the importance of financial stability, especially in Southern Maryland, where small businesses are a cornerstone of the local economy. Charles County, with its mix of suburban growth and rural landscapes, has seen steady development along corridors like Three Notch Road, where the Wawa store that sold Hamilton’s ticket is a familiar stop for locals.
Powerball, a multi-state lottery game, is known for its massive jackpots and multiple prize tiers. Players select five numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26, or opt for a quick-pick ticket like Hamilton’s. Matching four white balls and the Powerball, as Hamilton did, yields a $50,000 prize before taxes. The game’s jackpot, which rolls over when unclaimed, has reached an estimated annuity value of $1.8 billion for the September 6, 2025, drawing, with a cash option of $826.4 million. This marks the third-largest Powerball jackpot in history, according to the Maryland Lottery.
Hamilton’s win highlights the appeal of lottery games in Southern Maryland, where residents often participate in both local games like Racetrax and national draws like Powerball. The Maryland Lottery, established in 1973, generates revenue for state programs, including education and public health, with over $1.2 billion distributed annually in recent years. Retailers like the Mechanicsville Wawa also benefit, receiving commissions for selling winning tickets, which supports local businesses.
For Hamilton, the win is a testament to taking a chance, backed by his son’s confidence in his luck. “I’ll keep playing,” he said, already looking toward the next Powerball drawing and its historic jackpot.
As Southern Marylanders follow Hamilton’s story, his win serves as a reminder of the region’s close-knit communities and the excitement of lottery games that connect local players to national opportunities. Whether it’s a quick stop at Wawa or a routine check of a ticket, moments like these resonate in Charles County, where luck and opportunity sometimes align.