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Army veteran wins big jackpot prize using old license plate numbers in Maryland

“I couldn’t believe it when I looked at it!” the man told lottery officials.
“I couldn’t believe it when I looked at it!” the man told lottery officials. Getty Images/iStockphoto

A 20-year Army veteran collected $50,000 in a Pick 5 lottery drawing by using an old license plate to pick his numbers, Maryland officials reported.

The Prince George’s County man bought the lucky ticket at a liquor store in Brandywine, which is about a 50-mile drive south from Baltimore, the Maryland Lottery said in a Wednesday, March 26, news release.

“It’s just the thrill,” he told lottery officials. “I couldn’t believe it when I looked at it!”

He said he plans to “take care of business” with the money, including spoiling his grandchildren and settling his financial affairs, lottery officials said.

He doesn’t plan to travel, though — the Washington, D.C., native told lottery official’s he’s already seen much of the world in his Army career, including the Arabian Peninsula.

Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.

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This story was originally published March 26, 2025 at 10:34 AM with the headline "Army veteran wins big jackpot prize using old license plate numbers in Maryland."

DS
Don Sweeney
The Sacramento Bee
Don Sweeney has been a newspaper reporter and editor in California for more than 35 years. He is a service reporter based at The Sacramento Bee.
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