A laundry worker from Dubai cleaned up on the UAE's latest Mahzooz draw by scooping a life-changing Dh1 million jackpot.
John, a 26-year-old Filipino resident whose surname was not disclosed by organisers, is now planning to bring good fortune to his family with his win in Saturday's raffle.
He arrived in the Emirates two years ago to work as a filing clerk at his uncle's laundry company in Karama, where his mother is also employed.
He has now set his sights on expanding his uncle's business or opening up a venture of his own in the industry.
He is also keen to support his father's work as a farmer at home in the Philippines with his windfall.
“This is the first time I have won anything in my entire life,” said John.
“Coming to the UAE was a huge step for me as I am the breadwinner for my large family. Now, the UAE and Mahzooz have awarded me this huge prize which I still cannot fathom.
“My four brothers and two sisters are extremely happy for me and I am forever grateful for this huge win”.
John is the 53rd millionaire to be made by the long-running draw, which has given more than Dh427m in prize money to about 250,000 winners so far.
He continued a run of good luck for Filipino players in the 138th Mahzooz draw, becoming the eight person from the country to win a prize of at least Dh1 million.
Mahzooz's weekly draw, every Saturday, gives entrants a chance to win the top prize of Dh20m ($5.4 million) by matching all five numbers and a weekly raffle that ensures one person will win at least Dh1m.
UAE lotto winners – in pics
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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
