An Indian resident in Umm Al Quwain is celebrating a life-changing Dh15m lottery win – after eight years of trying his luck.
Mohamed Ali Moideen is ready to share the wealth after securing the UAE's Big Ticket jackpot in Monday's monthly draw.
The delighted winner, who has lived in the Emirates for 32 years, purchased the ticket along with 20 family members and friends.
The accountant at a construction company is now ready to lay down firm foundations for the future and start up his own business with his share of the cash.
Mr Moideen spent several years driving from his home to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain airports to buy tickets in the hope of success.
He switched to buying tickets online three years ago, never giving up hope that his fortunes would change.
One memorable phone call later, he and his fellow players have won about Dh715,000 each.
“For so many years, I would drive to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain airports with my family to buy the tickets. I kept thinking if not now, I will get it later. Our time has come,” the 56-year-old said.
Mr Moideen bought tickets alone years ago and later formed a group of friends and family who contributed Dh100 every month for various lotteries in the UAE.
“It was just me at the start, then a group of four, then 10 and now 20 people," he said.
"I've very, very happy for everyone.
“I want to do business in this country. I want to do more for my family.”
The long-standing lottery draw has been transforming lives since its inception in 1992.
“Congratulations once again to our Big Ticket Dh15 million grand prize winner and to all the other winners,” the organisers said on Monday.
Live draws are held every month with the mega Dh15 million top prize and further cash prizes ranging from Dh20,000 to Dh100,000.
July's Big Ticket proved particularly fruitful for Indians, with seven of the eight winners hailing from the South Asian country.
UAE Big Ticket 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 -
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
