In a remarkable display of fortune, five expatriates residing across the Gulf region have been transformed into instant millionaires through the latest Big Ticket draw in Abu Dhabi. The event distributed a combined prize pool of Dh5 million, equally divided among winners from Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka, each receiving Dh1 million.
The diverse group of winners includes Santosh Kumar, a 51-year-old Indian general manager who has called Abu Dhabi home since 1999. After more than five years of consistent participation, Kumar initially dismissed the winning notification as a prank. ‘I asked my daughter to verify it online, and that’s when the excitement truly hit me,’ he recounted. The seasoned expat now plans to explore property opportunities and long-term investments with his windfall.
From Qatar, Dasan Kunchu, a 43-year-old irrigation engineer from Kerala, participated through a collective approach with two separate groups of ten people. His winning moment required multiple verification attempts before reality set in. ‘The Big Ticket team kept trying to convince me, and it was only after I received the confirmation email that it finally sank in,’ Kunchu shared. He intends to distribute the prize among his group members while maintaining their collective pursuit of the grand prize.
The winners’ circle also includes Jency Ruba, an Indian national who secured her fortune with ticket number 148955 purchased on January 8, and Mohammed Alwar Uddin Hajee, a Bangladeshi business owner who persisted for six years with monthly group purchases. ‘After so many years of trying, I never imagined this would happen,’ Hajee expressed, describing the victory as validation of his persistence.
Completing the quintet is Dulan Mayura, a 29-year-old Sri Lankan professional at Magnolia Bakery in Dubai, who began participating just last year following friends’ encouragement. ‘I can’t explain the happiness I felt; it’s a feeling I’ll never forget,’ Mayura said, characterizing the win as a special milestone despite not having concrete plans for the funds.
All winners have expressed their intention to continue participating in future draws, with several emphasizing the transformative potential of taking calculated chances. The Big Ticket draw continues to serve as a life-altering opportunity for the Gulf’s diverse expatriate community, reinforcing its reputation as a catalyst for financial transformation.