The Maryland Lottery distributed more than $29.5 million in total prize money during the week of September 21–27, propelled by a series of high-volume Pick 5 drawings and a top-tier scratch-off prize. Officials confirmed that 50 tickets sold across the state won prizes of $10,000 or more during this seven-day window, though the vast majority of these major payouts remain unclaimed.
A significant portion of the weekly total came from two specific Pick 5 drawings where players matched repeating number combinations. The Pick 5 game, which features twice-daily drawings, became the state’s highest-paying format during the period due to consecutive days of high-volume wins on straight-bet tickets.
How duplicate numbers drove the Pick 5 surge
The first major wave of Pick 5 wins occurred during the midday drawing on September 22. The winning combination drawn was 8-8-7-6-8. Because many lottery participants frequently play repeating digits or patterns, this combination produced five separate top-prize winning tickets, each worth $50,000 on a $1 straight bet.
All five of these winning tickets were purchased at a single retailer: Ollie’s Beer, Wine & Deli, located at 12020 Veirs Mill Road in Rockville. When multiple identical top-prize tickets are sold at the same location, it often indicates that a single player purchased multiple identical tickets to multiply their total payout, or that a group of players placed identical wagers together.
Five days later, the evening drawing on September 27 generated an even larger payout. The winning numbers were 6-2-6-2-6, another highly patterned combination featuring alternating digits. This drawing resulted in 14 winning tickets matching the exact order, with each ticket carrying a $50,000 prize. Ten of these winning wagers were sold at a single Exxon gasoline station located at 1319 Dorsey Road in Hanover. The remaining four winning tickets for this drawing were sold at other retail locations across the state.
Top scratch-off and multi-state lottery payouts
While the Pick 5 drawings accounted for the highest volume of individual $50,000 wins, the single largest individual prize of the week came from an instant scratch-off game. A player won $100,000 on a $10 “High Voltage” scratch-off ticket purchased at Hillandale Beer & Wine, located at 10117 New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring.
In total, the Maryland Lottery recorded 50 winning tickets worth $10,000 or more between September 21 and September 27. These wins were spread across several game formats, including Pick 5, Fast Play, instant scratch-off games, Powerball, and Racetrax. By the end of the weekly reporting cycle, lottery officials confirmed that only seven of those 50 major prizes had been formally claimed.
Players who wish to participate in similar draws or explore different state systems can also choose to order US lottery tickets online through verified messenger services. Tracking winning tickets promptly is a critical step in avoiding lost funds, as demonstrated when a major unclaimed Colorado Lotto+ jackpot expired without a winner coming forward to collect the money.
Maryland Pick 5 odds and payout structures
The Pick 5 game allows players to select a five-digit number from 00000 to 99999. Players can wager either $0.50 or $1.00, with payouts scaling based on the amount bet and the selected play type. The straight play type requires the player’s numbers to match the drawn numbers in the exact order.
The table below outlines the odds and payouts for the primary $1.00 play types in the Maryland Pick 5 game:
| Play Type ($1.00 Bet) | Winning Condition | Odds of Winning | Payout Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight | Exact order match | 1 in 100,000 | $50,000 |
| 5-Way Box | 5 permutations (e.g., 1-1-1-1-2) | 1 in 20,000 | $10,000 |
| 10-Way Box | 10 permutations (e.g., 1-1-1-2-2) | 1 in 10,000 | $5,000 |
| 20-Way Box | 20 permutations (e.g., 1-1-1-2-3) | 1 in 5,000 | $2,500 |
How to claim lottery prizes in Maryland
Maryland Lottery winners must claim their prizes within 182 days of the drawing date. For instant scratch-off games, the 182-day claim period begins on the official end-of-game date announced by the lottery administration. Ticket validation rules vary depending on the size of the prize won.
The redemption process differs based on the prize threshold:
- Prizes up to $25,000: These can be claimed directly at the cashier window of any of the six licensed commercial casinos in Maryland. Winning tickets can also be processed at Maryland Lottery retailers or via mail.
- Prizes of $25,000 or more: These must be claimed in person at the Maryland Lottery Customer Resource Center in Baltimore. Claims at this location require an appointment.
The six Maryland casinos authorized to redeem prizes up to $25,000 are:
- Hollywood Casino Perryville (Perryville)
- Horseshoe Casino Baltimore (Baltimore)
- Live! Casino & Hotel (Hanover)
- MGM National Harbor (Oxon Hill)
- Ocean Downs Casino (Berlin)
- Rocky Gap Casino Resort (Flintstone)
Lottery officials advise players to sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchase. Unsigned tickets are considered bearer instruments, meaning anyone who possesses the physical ticket can claim the prize money. Secure physical storage is recommended until the ticket is officially validated. State-level verification procedures differ across jurisdictions; for instance, a major North Carolina scratch-off payout requires verification through specific regional offices depending on tax withholding structures.
Frequently asked questions
How long do players have to claim a Maryland Lottery draw game prize?
Players have exactly 182 days from the drawing date to claim prizes from draw games like Pick 5, Powerball, and Mega Millions. Once this period expires, the funds are transferred to the state’s unclaimed prize fund, which supports public programs.
Where can players claim Maryland Lottery prizes over $25,000?
Prizes valued at $25,000 or more must be claimed in person by appointment at the Maryland Lottery Customer Resource Center in Baltimore. They cannot be processed at local retail locations or at the state’s casinos.
Can Maryland Lottery winners remain anonymous?
Yes. Maryland is one of the states that allows lottery winners to remain entirely anonymous. The Maryland Lottery does not publicly disclose the names or identities of winners without their explicit written consent.
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