Meet Tayab Khan - the Nepalese security guard who struck Dh30 million in UAE Lottery
Five friends share record prize after lucky number selection
ABU DHABI – Four years ago, Tayab Khan left Nepal for the UAE in search of better opportunities. Today, the 26-year-old security guard is celebrating a record-breaking Dh30 million win after becoming the latest Grand Prize winner of The UAE Lottery’s Lucky Day draw.
The winning ticket was shared among five close friends who regularly pooled their money and took turns selecting numbers. This time, it was Tayab’s turn to choose the numbers. Adding to the remarkable story, he was not even watching the draw when the life-changing moment happened.
“I had received similar emails before for small prizes, so I didn't think much of it,” Tayab recalled. “But when I opened the email and saw Dh30 million, my hands were shaking, my legs were shaking. It felt like a dream. Even now, it's hard to express that feeling in words.”
A shared dream
The Dh30 million prize will be divided equally among the group, with each friend receiving Dh6 million.
The friends had enjoyed smaller wins in the past while continuing to believe a bigger prize was possible. Some weeks they matched three numbers, while on other occasions they matched four, but they never stopped participating.
“I created the group and named it ‘Future Millionaires’,” Tayab said with a laugh. “After we won, I changed it to ‘Millionaires’.”
When it came to choosing the winning numbers, there was no elaborate strategy.
“Sometimes I use family-related numbers, and sometimes I choose randomly,” he said. “This time, I just selected random numbers and submitted the ticket.”
Emotional call
The first person Tayab contacted after learning about the win was his uncle in Nepal, whom he describes as a father figure and the person who helped him begin his journey in the UAE.
“He's the reason I came here in the first place,” Tayab said. “When I told him how much we had won, he was completely speechless. Tears came to his eyes. He couldn't believe it.”
Tayab first discovered The UAE Lottery in early 2024 while scrolling through Facebook. Having followed stories of winners over the years, he always believed his own chance might eventually arrive.
“I saw other people winning and always hoped that one day I could be a winner too,” he said. “We kept participating, kept believing, and eventually that day came.”
Future plans
For Tayab, the jackpot represents far more than financial security. He sees it as an opportunity to create lasting change for the people closest to him.
His first priority is building a home for his family in Nepal.
“That’s the first thing I want to do,” he said. “A house for my family.”
The win has also inspired him to consider a different professional path after spending the past four years working as an employee.
“I've worked as an employee for four years,” he said. “Now I want to move to the next level. I want to explore entrepreneurship and investment.”
While much of the prize is earmarked for long-term goals, Tayab admitted there are a few personal purchases he has dreamed about for years.
“I've been eyeing a Mahindra Thar Jeep and a Rolex watch,” he said.
The milestone is especially meaningful because of the people who supported him throughout his journey. Tayab has been in a relationship since before moving to the UAE and credits his partner with standing beside him through every challenge.
“When I had nothing, she was there,” he said. “She saw my struggles, my hard work, everything.”
When he shared the news of the win, she initially struggled to believe it.
“I had to show her the winning ticket,” he said. “She was completely speechless.”
The historic jackpot marks a significant milestone for The UAE Lottery, which continues to create life-changing moments for players across the country. All games are fully regulated by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, while tickets for upcoming Lucky Day draws remain available through the lottery’s official platform.