An Australian investment banker in Dubai who won a Bentley in 2018 has hit a different jackpot with a $1 million (Dh3.67m) prize.
Reza Dole, 45, won the luxury vehicle when he entered into a draw three years ago. He sold the car for Dh800,000.
After trying his luck once more, this time at the Dubai Duty Free draw in which 5,000 tickets sell for Dh1000 each, he struck gold again by clinching the top prize.
lottery winner
Mr Dole plans to use the winnings in his charity work in India where he supports people of determination and poor children.
He also plans to help his wife start a business.
“The first time I won and I got the call, I thought it was fake. But, this time, my intuition was telling me for the past few days that I am about to win,” Mr Dole told The National.
“The plan is to continue doing charity work in India and help my wife launch her beauty business.
“She is extremely creative and passionate about her desire to set up her own range of beauty spas and products, and as her partner it’s imperative that I support her in her pursuit.”
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Bentley's Bacalar is the most exclusive model the brand has ever produced. All photos courtesy Bentley -
The Bacalar shares design features with the EXP 100 GT. -
Sleek lines on the Bacalar. -
Inside the cabin. -
The Bacalar's rear wheel. -
The Bacalar's signature headlight. -
The Bacalar's rear headlight. -
The EXP 100 shows off its gullwing doors. -
You won't be able to do the school run in a Bacalar. -
Crowds gather to see inside Bentley's new dealership in Abu Dhabi, which opened in January. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Bentley's history stretches back to 1919. -
The EXP 100 sits outside Bentley's headquarters in Crewe. -
No room for more than two people and a small dog in there. -
The EXP 100 offers a glimpse of what Bentley is likely to release beyond the Bacalar. -
Bentley's Continental GT also had a revamp for 2020. -
The Bacalar will get the neighbours' attention, even if they're royalty. In fact, particularly if they're royalty.
Mr Dole will also save some funds for his two children’s education.
Also lucky in the draw was Tariq A, who owns a jewellery and watch business.
The Saudi man, who lives in Bahrain, won $1million in the draw.
Tariq, 45, said he had been buying a ticket for the past 20 years and was overjoyed that his “stars finally aligned”.
“I had been buying it for so long that I eventually stopped because I wasn’t winning. But, my wife encouraged me to keep my hope, so I started purchasing again last year and now I’m a millionaire,” the father of twin boys said.
“This money is going to help me a lot with my children’s education, doing some charity work and expanding my business.”
Launched in 1999, the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Promotion offers 5,000 tickets at Dh1,000 each. Each holder has the chance to win $1 million.
How Abu Dhabi’s Big Ticket has helped changed lives - in pictures
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UAE residents who struck luck with Abu Dhabi's Big Ticket draw attended a gala dinner on Tuesday. Organisers of the draw celebrated the winners' good luck at the Alexandra Dhow Cruise in Dubai Marina. All photos by Leslie Pableo / The National -
The ticket for the grand prize costs Dh500 -
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 -
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 -
'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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
The Abu Dhabi Big Draw has been changing lives since 1992
