Shopkeeper wins Dh500,000 in Abu Dhabi's Big Ticket draw

Winner plans to use money to open more fruit and vegetable shops in the UAE

Mr Binu says winning the cash prize has made his dreams come true. Photo: Big Ticket

An Indian shopkeeper living in Abu Dhabi has won Dh500,000 ($136,150) in the Big Ticket weekly cash draw.

Mr Binu, who did not provide a first name, said he had taken part in the draw for the past two years and was delighted to be told of his success.

He plans to use his winnings to open more fruit and vegetable shops in the UAE.

“It has been my goal to win the grand prize for the past two years, but I am very happy to win the weekly drawing,” Mr Binu said.

“I plan to use this money to open a few more vegetable shops around the UAE and to expand my business.

“I would like to express my gratitude to Big Ticket for making my dreams come true.”

This month, a group of friends had the surprise of their lives after scooping the grand prize in the Big Ticket weekly draw in Abu Dhabi, taking home Dh12 million.

Ajman resident Mujeeb Chirathodi had luck on his side last month when he bought ticket number 229710 for Dh500 online. The cost of the ticket was split between 10 friends from India and Bangladesh and each took home about Dh1.2m.

Anyone who enters the Big Ticket competition during the month of May stands a chance to win a weekly prize of Dh500,000.

A prize of Dh20m is up for grabs on June 3, in the Big Ticket Millionaire competition, as well as a runner-up prize of Dh1m and other cash prizes.

Tickets to enter this draw cost Dh500 each.

Big Ticket winners share how the money changed their lives: in pictures

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

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

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

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

The ticket for the grand prize costs Dh500