Man played lottery for 48 years and never won big — until now. ‘Fell to my knees’

A Maryland man started playing lottery games in 1976.

In the more than four decades that have passed, he had never won a notable prize — until now, Maryland Lottery officials said in an Aug. 19 news release.

While he was at work, someone gave him a piece of paper with a series of numbers on it, the man told lottery officials.

He can’t remember what the paper was for or “even the significance of those numbers,” lottery officials said.

Nonetheless, “99456” was ingrained in his brain.

Then, the numbers appeared again, this time on a license plate, lottery officials said.

He was persuaded, taking the chance encounter as a sign to use the five numbers to buy a Pick 5 ticket at an Abingdon store.

“Something told me to try those numbers,” the Harford County man said, per the release.

As the man checked the results for the Aug. 12 evening drawing, “he was amazed,” lottery officials said.

His numbers earned him $50,000.

“I just fell to my knees and cried,” the man told lottery officials.

The factory worker plans to use his winnings to pay off bills, according to lottery officials.

Abingdon is about a 25-mile drive northeast from Baltimore.

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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