Big Ticket draw: Five Indian expats in UAE win Dh1 million each
Dh20m grand prize draw scheduled for June keeps hopes alive
DUBAI – Five Indian expatriates have each secured Dh1 million in consolation prizes in Big Ticket series 286, with winners describing moments of disbelief, missed calls and long-awaited breakthroughs.
The draw has once again turned everyday residents into instant millionaires, with participants from different professions and backgrounds sharing similar stories of surprise.
The announcement also comes as excitement builds towards the Dh20 million grand prize scheduled for next month.
Winning moment
For 40-year-old Rajath Satish, an accountant from Bangalore living in Dubai for the past seven years, the news was difficult to accept at first. A regular participant in the draw, Satish joins a group of five colleagues each month, leaving their ticket numbers entirely to chance.
When organisers called to inform him of the win, he initially dismissed it. “I thought it was a prank and didn’t believe it until I checked online myself,” he said, recalling the moment he confirmed the Dh1 million prize. With his family based in India, Satish plans to allocate the money towards expenses back home while continuing to take part in future draws.
A similar sense of disbelief was shared by Chaithanya Kumari, a 44-year-old software engineer from Tamil Nadu and a single mother. Having lived in the UAE for 14 years, Kumari had purchased only five tickets previously, with the winning entry marking her sixth attempt.
At the time of the announcement, she was in India and missed the initial call. It was only after a friend shared a screenshot of her name in a newspaper that she became aware of the win. She later verified the result via email. Kumari has yet to decide how she will use the prize, stating that she plans to consult her parents before making any decisions.
Different paths
Among the winners is Murali Vazhayli, a 50-year-old supervisor from Kerala based in Oman, who has been participating in Big Ticket draws for eight years. Inspired by a colleague who won a previous Dh15 million grand prize, Vazhayli consistently purchased tickets as part of multiple groups.
His winning entry was part of a 20-member group, and the prize will be divided among participants. He described the outcome as significant for all involved, with many planning to support their families and set aside savings.
Rithesh Lobo, a 49-year-old document controller from Mangalore who has lived in Dubai since 2002, also secured Dh1 million after more than a decade of participation. Unlike others who rely on random selection, Lobo uses astrology applications to choose his ticket numbers, maintaining the method over the years.
“It was a shock after all these years of trying,” he said, noting that his ticket was purchased as part of a group of 10 people.
Leo Lawrence, a 36-year-old account manager from Kerala residing in Ajman since 2014, described a different experience leading up to his win. On the day of the announcement, he reported having a strong intuition that something significant would happen.
The confirmation came while he was travelling with his family. Lawrence plans to use the prize money to reduce the mortgage on a recently purchased villa. Like several other winners, he participates regularly in group entries alongside colleagues.
What’s next
The Big Ticket promotion continues through May, with organisers announcing a Dh20 million grand prize to be awarded during a live draw on June 3. The upcoming draw is expected to attract widespread participation from residents across the UAE and neighbouring countries.
In addition to the grand prize, weekly e-draws throughout May will award Dh25,000 to four winners each week. The schedule includes draws on May 12, May 19, May 26 and June 1, covering tickets purchased during specific weekly periods.
Participants also have the opportunity to win luxury vehicles as part of the Dream Car Series. A Range Rover Velar will be drawn on June 3, followed by a BMW X6 on July 3.