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The District resident hit the jackpot not once but twice, using the same digits: 82524.
The sequence, tied to a license plate and a memorable date, drove him to nearly $75,000 in winnings in the DMV.
It’s safe to say Aug. 25, 2024, was no ordinary day for Gamez—and it’s one he’ll never forget.
Gamez's streak started on that day, when he turned the numbers 82524 into a $50,425 prize playing the DC Lottery’s DC5 game.
The date itself held significance, as he also played numbers tied to an important anniversary in his life: 11920.
But Gamez wasn’t done yet.
Recently, he stopped at State Line Market in Silver Spring and bought a 50-cent straight bet Pick 5 ticket using—you guessed it—the same digits: 82524.
He played the number for five consecutive drawings, spanning from Saturday, Nov. 9 through Monday, Nov. 11, and sure enough, on Sunday, Nov. 10, his lucky combo came through again, netting him a cool $25,000.
Gamez credits his lottery savvy to a family legacy of luck.
“My father and my grandparents are living the moment through me,” he said while claiming his latest prize at Maryland Lottery headquarters.
A self-described frugal man, Gamez emphasized that he never dips into his "red money"—his term for funds earmarked for essential expenses like housing and utilities.
Instead, he budgets carefully, playing the Lottery for fun and the thrill of the game.
“I play to enjoy myself,” he said, adding that he picked up his lottery hobby from his dad and grandparents, who were regular players.
To mark the occasion, Gamez donned his lucky lottery attire—a shirt featuring Lottery emblems and a hat with a dollar sign—making it the same outfit he wore while claiming his DC prize.
As for Gamez?
He’s planning to stash his winnings in the bank and let the numbers do the talking.
“I enjoy the fun of it,” he said.
When not winning big, Gamez likes to shoot pool, but after his latest lucky streak, maybe he should stick to numbers over balls.
With luck like this, Gamez may soon need a custom license plate: WINBIG.
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