Who is the Dh25 million Big Ticket winner from Abu Dhabi?
Ticket bought at airport counter proves life-changing for UAE resident
ABU DHABI’s latest Big Ticket draw has crowned a new millionaire – and it’s a moment 12 years in the making.
Mohammed Naser Balal, a 43-year-old Bangladeshi electrician, won the massive Dh25 million grand prize in Series 276 of the Big Ticket raffle, held on Thursday.
Balal, who has lived in the UAE for 14 years, purchased the winning ticket (No. 061080) on June 24 from the Abu Dhabi International Airport counter. Overwhelmed with emotion, he said, “I’m shaking right now. I still can’t believe this is happening.”
The jackpot winner had been unreachable immediately after the draw, despite several attempts by hosts Richard and Bouchra. The Big Ticket team finally reached Balal to deliver the life-changing news, which left him in disbelief.
Loyalty pays off
Balal’s win wasn’t sheer luck – it came after more than a decade of consistent participation. For the past 12 years, he and a group of five close friends have been pooling funds to buy tickets every month, hoping one day they’d strike gold.
“I’ve been buying tickets every single month from the last 12 years, always dreaming that one day I would win. Today my dream came true,” Balal said.
The long-awaited jackpot was the result of their latest ticket purchase from the airport – the same place they had regularly visited to buy tickets.
Plans for the future
While still absorbing the news, Balal revealed that he plans to split the Dh25 million prize equally with his five friends. With his share, the first priority is to build a home for his family in Bangladesh.
“I’ll take some time to think about the rest,” he added. Despite the life-changing win, Balal expressed his intention to continue participating in Big Ticket raffles. “Big Ticket has given me something truly unbelievable. I feel incredibly blessed,” he said.
More winners revealed
The July draw also saw another family celebrating a win. Geethammal and her son, who moved to Dubai from Kerala three years ago, walked away with a brand-new Nissan Patrol. Her husband, a long-time UAE resident, has been buying Big Ticket entries since the raffle’s inception and introduced the tradition to the rest of the family.
“Our whole family is really into Big Ticket. We’re constantly buying tickets under each other’s names, hoping someone will win. It’s such an incredible feeling knowing that my father, after all these years of trying, has finally won,” said Geethammal’s son.
What’s next in July
Big Ticket’s July promotion continues with even more exciting prizes on offer. Participants stand a chance to win up to Dh20 million during the live draw scheduled for August 3. In addition to the grand prize, six winners will receive Dh50,000 each on the same night.
The last week of June already saw three winners each take home Dh150,000. Every Thursday this month, four weekly winners will be awarded Dh50,000 each – bringing the total to 16 cash prizes before the grand draw.
Participants who purchase two or more cash tickets in a single transaction between July 1 and 24 will automatically qualify for the Big Win Contest. Four selected participants will be invited to attend the August 3 live draw in Abu Dhabi, where each will walk away with a guaranteed prize ranging from Dh20,000 to Dh150,000. The finalists’ names will be revealed on August 1 via Big Ticket’s official website.
Luxury cars and bundles
This month’s car draws include a Range Rover Velar on August 3 and a BMW M440i on September 3. Ticket buyers can also take advantage of bundle offers available until the end of July. Online customers receive a “Buy 2, Get 1 Free” deal, while those buying from Zayed International Airport or Al Ain Airport counters can access “Buy 2, Get 2 Free” for Big Ticket and “Buy 2, Get 3 Free” for Dream Car.
Tickets are available online or at authorised counters.
E-Draw dates in July
- Week 1: Buy between July 1–9 | Draw on July 10
- Week 2: Buy between July 10–16 | Draw on July 17
- Week 3: Buy between July 17–23 | Draw on July 24
- Week 4: Buy between July 24–31 | Draw on August 1
For hopeful participants, the chance of turning a long-held dream into reality might just be a ticket away.