Emirates Loto is open to anyone over 18 in the UAE and abroad, with prizes as high as Dh50m on offer. Getty Images
Emirates Loto is open to anyone over 18 in the UAE and abroad, with prizes as high as Dh50m on offer. Getty Images
Emirates Loto is open to anyone over 18 in the UAE and abroad, with prizes as high as Dh50m on offer. Getty Images
Emirates Loto is open to anyone over 18 in the UAE and abroad, with prizes as high as Dh50m on offer. Getty Images

Emirates Loto rolls out new Dh35m digital lottery


Nada El Sawy
  • English
  • Arabic

Update: Mahzooz, the UAE's Dh50 million weekly draw, is back and here's how to play it

Emirates Loto – a new weekly raffle with a jackpot of Dh35 million – will hold its inaugural draw on April 18 after it was postponed from March 28 to align with the UAE government’s precautionary measures to contain the spread of Covid-19.

The draw will be live-streamed on digital platforms at 7.30pm each Saturday, but without a live audience as originally planned.

"We're going to follow the government guidelines, so whatever comes out, we'll adapt to the changes," Paul Sebestyen, chief executive of Emirates Loto, told The National. "Our plan is to have the drawing on the 18th, unless the government informs us otherwise."

Mr Sebestyen said the lottery, which could go up to as much as Dh50m on May 9, is a “break for the community” at a time when many people across the globe are following stay-at-home directives and consumed by concerns about the spread of the virus.

The jackpot is one of the largest offered in the UAE. Abu Dhabi Duty Free’s Big Ticket, which was live-streamed on Facebook last month and this month, offers a Dh10m prize, while the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire’s top award is $1m (Dh3.67m).

New travel restrictions were imposed in Dubai on Saturday with residents asked to stay at home unless they need to leave for food or medicine, as the sterilisation programme is extended to 24 hours a day for two weeks.

There are 1,505 confirmed cases in the UAE – three times the number last week. Ten people have died and 125 recovered. Worldwide there are more than 1.2 million confirmed Covid-19 cases and about 65,000 deaths as of Sunday, according to Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking the pandemic. More than 252,000 have recovered.

To participate in Emirates Loto, anyone over the age of 18 in the UAE and abroad can purchase “collectable” cards for Dh35 either on the website, through the app or at Choithrams supermarkets. Previously the cards could be purchased at more than 10,000 retail outlets, but most stores – with the exception of supermarkets and pharmacies – were closed last month to control the coronavirus outbreak. There are courier charges of Dh15 in the UAE on online card purchases; Dh35 in the GCC, Levant and North Africa; and Dh50 in the rest of the world. Buyers also have the option to “donate” their cards, but still participate in the draw.

Each card allows the buyer to generate six numbers (1-49) through the Emirates Loto website or app. The live event will be hosted by Lebanese TV presenter Wissam Breidy and Indian entrepreneur Aishwarya Ajit. Mr Sebestyen said the studio taping will follow physical distancing guidelines and “have as limited people as possible”.

Three number matches will give the buyer a free entry to the next draw, four number matches give Dh300 and five number matches Dh350,000. If all six numbers match, the buyer can win a share in a minimum jackpot of Dh35m, which will be divided equally among all winners.

If no one matches the six numbers drawn, the prize will increase by Dh5m every week until it reaches Dh50m.

Emirates Loto has been approved by a Fatwa issued by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments in Abu Dhabi no 205/2020, according to its website. As per Sharia principles, there needs to be an exchange of value, hence why draw participants must purchase the collectable cards.

The images on the cards will change every quarter. There are currently eight cards with pictures of iconic UAE sites, including Burj Al Arab in Dubai and Capital Gate in Abu Dhabi. Participants have the option to buy the collectable cards and decline the option to enter the draw.

Emirates Loto has been in the works for a little over a year, Mr Sebestyen said. The organisation is currently in discussions with charities to donate a portion of the proceeds.

“We’re raising funds to change lives, not only for the people who are lucky enough to have won, but also for the money that will be donated to charities and other organisations for people in need,” he said.

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Fixtures

Sunday, December 8, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v USA

Monday, December 9, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – USA v Scotland

Wednesday, December 11, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v Scotland

Thursday, December 12, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v USA

Saturday, December 14, ICC Academy, Dubai – USA v Scotland

Sunday, December 15, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v Scotland

Note: All matches start at 10am, admission is free

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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
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  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
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Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

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August, 2021: Host - United States; Teams - UAE, United States and Scotland

Between September and November, 2021 (dates TBC): Host - Namibia; Teams - Namibia, Oman, UAE

December, 2021: Host - UAE; Teams - UAE, Namibia, Oman

February, 2022: Hosts - Nepal; Teams - UAE, Nepal, PNG

June, 2022: Hosts - Scotland; Teams - UAE, United States, Scotland

September, 2022: Hosts - PNG; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal

February, 2023: Hosts - UAE; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal

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Chelsea 3 (Abraham 11', 17', 74')

Luton Town 1 (Clark 30')

Man of the match Abraham (Chelsea)

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She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

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In numbers

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Meydan race card

6pm Dubai Trophy – Conditions(TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m 

6.35Dubai Trophy – Conditions(TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
1,800m 

7.10pm Jumeirah Derby Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (T)
1,800m ,400m 

7.45pm Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB)  $180,000  (T) 1,800m 

8.20pm Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400m 

8.55pm Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m 

9.30pm Aliyah – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 2,000m  

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELiz%20Garbus%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Duke%20and%20Duchess%20of%20Sussex%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

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MATCH INFO

What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Result:
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COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Xpanceo

Started: 2018

Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov

Based: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality

Funding: $40 million

Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)

The biog

Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi

Favourite TV show: That 70s Show

Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving

Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can

Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home

Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big

In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000 
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  • Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000 
  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
  • Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
Winner: Shafaf, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)
5,30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
Winner: Noof KB, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Listed (TB) Dh380,000 1,400m
Winner: Taamol, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Group One (PA) Dh2,500,000 2,200m
Winner: Rmmas, Tadhg O’Shea, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Listed (PA) Dh230,000 1,600m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Mekhbat, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel

The specs

Engine: 2.2-litre, turbodiesel

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Power: 160hp

Torque: 385Nm

Price: Dh116,900

On sale: now