Man wins Dh30 million in Abu Dhabi Big Ticket draw

Competition officials trying to track down lucky Kathar Hussain

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

Latest: Dh30 million winner tells of jackpot joy

An Indian man has won Dh30 million ($8.1 million) in the Big Ticket Live Show, becoming the competition's biggest winner in the process.

Organisers are still trying to contact Kathar Hussain, who did not answer his phone during the live draw announcement.

The Sharjah resident was not the only winner in Saturday’s draw — Thomas Ollukkaran, from India, won a Dh1 million prize.

The next draw, which will take place in Abu Dhabi on January 3, will have the largest jackpot in the competition’s history.

There will be a first prize of Dh35 million up for grabs, with tickets costing Dh500 each.

The Big Ticket competition was established in 1992, with an initial first prize of Dh1 million.