MD stay-at-home mom wins $50,000 on first-ever scratch ticket

A Maryland mother has won $50,000 on the first scratch-off lottery ticket she ever bought, officials say.

Nichole Balsoma of Glen Burnie, outside of Baltimore, won the prize after deciding to opt for a coffee energy drink one day for her morning drink, according to the Maryland Lottery.

“Nichole ended up visiting Royal Farms #016 located at 6901 Ritchie Highway North in Glen Burnie instead of a local cafe. She decided to use her debit card for an energy drink and, on a whim, spent $20 cash to purchase a $20 million Mega Multiplier instant ticket,” Maryland Lottery said in a statement.

« The lucky debutante started scratching her game as she sat in the car with her fiancé. She noticed that she had matched the winning numbers on the entire front row of the instant ticket. Her fiancé couldn’t believe it not and neither does she,” the statement continued.

« In fact, Nichole told lottery officials that it wasn’t until she came to headquarters and claimed her instant ticket that she truly believed she had won, » he added.

The Maryland Lottery described Balsoma as a « lucky novice » winning the prize « on the first scratch she ever bought! »

« I don’t even play the lottery, » she reportedly said.

Balsoma, a stay-at-home mom with two young children, now plans to use her winnings to buy a house next year with her partner, officials say.