Abu Dhabi's Big Ticket prize draw 'pauses operations'

Ticket sales halted with immediate effect to comply with UAE gaming regulations

Abu Dhabi's Big Ticket will pause operations with immediate effect. Supplied

Abu Dhabi's Big Ticket prize draw has confirmed it will “temporarily pause operations” with immediate effect in order to comply with the UAE's gaming regulations.

The move – which was confirmed on the company's website and social media channels overnight – comes after fellow operators Mahzooz and Emirates Draw halted services from January.

“In accordance with regulatory gaming requirements, Big Ticket will be temporarily pausing operations starting April 1,” the company said.

“Rest assured, all previously won prizes are securely protected and guaranteed.”

In a further notice, Big Ticket said its April 3 draw would go ahead as scheduled, with “all of its prizes” to be given away to meet gaming regulation requirements.

Both Mahzooz and Emirates Draw had said they were temporarily suspending activities in statements issued at the end of December in order to adhere to gaming laws.

“The pause is a result of an industrywide mandate consistent with the regulators’ new role to create a well-regulated gaming environment in the United Arab Emirates,” Mahzooz said at the time.

Emirates Draw said at the time that participation and new account registration were suspended only for players from within the UAE.

Dubai Duty Free continues to promote upcoming prize draws on its website.

The National has contacted Dubai Duty Free for comment.

Big Ticket operators had said they would continue to run as normal in January, but will now put prize draws on hold.

The Big Ticket was established in 1992 and has created a host of new millionaires over the years.

Players were able to purchase tickets online or at Big Ticket counters at Abu Dhabi and Al Ain International Airport.

In September, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority was established in the UAE.

There is no set date for when the raffles will begin operating again.

Article No 355 of UAE law considers all forms of gambling a criminal offence. Punishments could result in imprisonment, fines, or both.

Some exceptions to prize draw laws in the UAE have meant that some companies authorised under the Ministry of Economy have been permitted to conduct raffles.

Prize draw companies in the UAE have applied to become the country's sole operator, senior figures from the firms confirmed.

Both Mahzooz and Emirates Draw have registered their intent to run the national UAE prize draw, with one licence up for grabs.

Big Ticket's lucky winners - in pictures

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  UAE residents who struck lucky with Abu Dhabi's Big Ticket draw attended a gala dinner. Organisers of the draw celebrated the winners' good luck at the Alexandra Dhow Cruise in Dubai Marina. All photos by Leslie Pableo / The National

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  Richard Isaac and Bouchra Yamani, the two presenters who pick out the raffle tickets and call the winners, interacted with the winners. Some of attendees had won jackpots of between Dh1 million to Dh15 million, while others won Dh90,000

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  'The National' spoke to winners about how they have spent their grand prize. Shivamurthy Gali Krishnappa won Dh12 million last month. He said he wants to save for his children's future. For now, he is still working as a mechanical engineer for a stainless steel production company

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  Shahed Ahmed Moulvifaiz, a Bangladeshi car garage owner in Al Ain, won Dh10 million less than a week ago. He wants to bring his family to the UAE, expand his business and spend on his youngest son's education

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  Jayaprakash Mariyan Philip had won the Dh1 million prize with nine other people. The funds were split equally, leaving him with Dh100,000. He said he has paid off part of his bank loans

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  Zaheenn Kausar was visiting her husband in Abu Dhabi from Pakistan, when he bought a ticket under her name. She proved lucky for her family after winning Dh90,000. She wants to pay for her daughter's university tuition and buy a car for herself

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  Before the Covid-19 pandemic, more than 5,000 people would gather during a live event in Abu Dhabi to watch the draw take place. Since 2020, the draw streams live on social media channels, bringing in even larger crowds

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  Many people buy multiple tickets together and then split the prize equally. There are also those who win after buying a ticket alone, allowing them to keep the entire jackpot

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  The Abu Dhabi Big Draw has been changing lives since 1992

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  The ticket for the grand prize costs Dh500