Maryland man’s first-ever lottery ticket earns $50,000 prize

April 8 (UPI) — A Maryland man bought a scratch-off lottery ticket for the first time in his life and his beginner’s luck earned him a $50,000 prize.

The Cantonsville resident, who described himself as a lottery skeptic, told Maryland Lottery officials his stance on buying tickets softened when he saw another customer at the Liberty Shell station in Milford Mill cash in a $400 prize.

The winner presented the man with $5, which he decided to use to buy a ticket for his wife, who often plays lottery games.

The man selected a $5 Mosaic Money ticket, and he and his wife scratched it off after dinner that night.

The ticket turned out to be a $50,000 winner.

The couple said their winnings will go toward putting a down payment on a new home.

The man called his win a “miracle blessing” and said he has no intention of buying anymore lottery tickets.