LEONARDTOWN, Md. — A St. Mary’s County school bus driver claimed a $50,000 top prize December 4 after his longtime favorite numbers — 1-0-2-3-8 — hit in the Maryland Lottery Pick 5 midday drawing on December 2.
The winner placed a $1 straight bet on the five digits. When the numbers were drawn at 12:27 p.m., the ticket instantly became the largest Maryland Lottery prize he had ever won.
Speaking at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore where he collected his check, the Southern Maryland resident remained remarkably calm about the windfall.
“It was not a big deal to me,” he said. He told Lottery officials he does not play every drawing but happened to have a ticket for the December 2 midday game.
The winner, who asked to remain anonymous, said he plans to use the money to strengthen his finances. After mandatory state and federal taxes are withheld, he received $35,000.25.
A lifelong Baltimore Ravens supporter living in an area where many neighbors root for the Washington Commanders, the winner noted the contrast with a smile.
“It’s mostly Commanders fans where I live, but I am a proud Ravens fan,” he said.
The lucky ticket was purchased at the Food Lion located at 40955 Merchants Lane in Leonardtown. The retailer receives a $500 bonus from the Lottery for selling the $50,000 top-prize ticket, equal to 1 percent of the prize.
Maryland’s Pick 5 game offers two daily drawings at 12:27 p.m. and 7:56 p.m., seven days a week. Players select five digits from 0 to 9 and can wager 50 cents or $1 per play. Straight bets require the numbers to match in exact order for the top prize of $50,000 on a $1 wager or $25,000 on a 50-cent wager.
The December 2 midday drawing marked the second $50,000 Pick 5 prize claimed in St. Mary’s County during 2025. The county has seen multiple large Pick 5 wins in recent years, including a $50,000 prize sold in California, Maryland, in March 2024.
The Maryland Lottery contributes all profits to the state’s General Fund, supporting education, public health, public safety, and environmental programs. Since the Lottery began in 1973, St. Mary’s County retailers have sold prizes totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
Players can check winning numbers and scan tickets using the official Maryland Lottery mobile app or at mdlottery.com.
