MARBURY — Two Charles County co-workers are celebrating a $150,010 Powerball win after pooling their money for tickets during the game’s near-record $1.7 billion jackpot run, claimed on September 11, 2025, at Maryland Lottery headquarters in Baltimore. The pair, who rarely play, were drawn in by the massive prize, purchasing tickets at local retailers before the September 9 drawing. Their win, amplified by a Power Play multiplier, marks a life-changing moment for the Southern Maryland residents, though they fell short of the billion-dollar dream shared by millions.
The winners, who requested anonymity, described their casual approach to the lottery. “Neither of us buy tickets regularly,” one said. “But when the jackpot gets that big, how can you ignore it?” The Powerball’s climb to $1.7 billion, one of the largest in its history, prompted the duo to visit several stores in Charles County, including Gray’s Market at 4000 Chicamuxen Road in Marbury, where they bought the winning $20 ticket. Their strategy was simple: split the cost and hope for luck.
The morning after the drawing, the co-workers met over coffee to check their tickets. “I counted the matches and they didn’t stop until we’d won $50,000. It was crazy,” said Winner #1. The excitement grew when Winner #2 recalled their $2 Power Play option, which tripled the prize to $150,000. An additional $10 from other matching combinations on the ticket brought the total to $150,010. “It was overwhelming,” both winners agreed, reflecting on the moment they realized their windfall.
Gray’s Market, a small convenience store in the rural Marbury community, sold the winning ticket. The retailer, located along the Potomac River southwest of La Plata, is a familiar stop for locals in Charles County, a region of about 170,000 residents known for its quiet towns and agricultural roots. The store is eligible for a $1,500 bonus from the Maryland Lottery for selling a $50,000+ ticket, a boon for the family-owned business.
The winners, both county employees, have no immediate plans for their shares of the prize, roughly $75,000 each after the split. They expressed relief at the financial cushion, a sentiment echoed by many Southern Marylanders who value stability in a region where median household incomes hover around $100,000. “It’s not the billion, but it’s life-changing,” one said, hinting at potential uses like bolstering savings or paying off debts. Maryland’s lottery winnings are subject to a 24% federal tax and an 8.95% state tax, leaving the pair with approximately $50,000 each after deductions.
This win comes amid a frenzy of lottery fever across Maryland, where Powerball sales surged as the jackpot grew. The Maryland Lottery reported $12.4 million in ticket sales for the September 9 drawing statewide, with Charles County contributing significantly due to its proximity to high-traffic retailers. The state’s lottery system, established in 1973, has awarded over $18 billion in prizes and funded public services like education and health programs. In Charles County, lottery proceeds have supported local schools, including recent upgrades to facilities in Waldorf and Indian Head.
The Powerball game, played in 45 states, requires matching five numbers plus the Powerball for the jackpot. The Charles County duo matched five numbers, securing the second-tier prize, which starts at $50,000 but can increase with the Power Play option, randomly set at 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X. Their 3X multiplier tripled the base prize, a stroke of luck that only applies to non-jackpot winnings. The odds of hitting five numbers are 1 in 11.6 million, compared to 1 in 292.2 million for the jackpot.
Southern Maryland has seen its share of lottery wins. In 2023, a La Plata resident claimed $100,000 from a scratch-off ticket, and a 2021 Waldorf winner took home $2 million from Powerball. These stories resonate in a region where small towns like Marbury, with fewer than 1,000 residents, thrive on community ties. Gray’s Market, a hub for locals, has now joined the list of lucky retailers, alongside stores like Waldorf’s 7-Eleven, which sold a $1 million ticket in 2024.
The winners’ story reflects a broader trend of workplace lottery pools, common in Maryland offices and businesses. Charles County’s public sector, employing over 5,000 in schools and government, often sees co-workers team up for big jackpots. The Maryland Lottery encourages responsible play, noting that group purchases require clear agreements to avoid disputes. A 2019 case in Anne Arundel County saw a pool of 10 co-workers split $1 million, highlighting the importance of trust in such arrangements.
For now, the Charles County winners are savoring their moment. Their win, while modest compared to the $1.7 billion jackpot claimed elsewhere, underscores the allure of Powerball in Southern Maryland, where dreams of wealth meet practical gains. As the region’s lottery players await the next big roll, Gray’s Market stands as a reminder that luck can strike close to home.
