Indian dad who won Abu Dhabi's Dh12m lottery ‘won’t be tempted into luxury spending’

A Sharjah-based father who won the Dh12 million ($3.2m) jackpot on Abu Dhabi's Big Ticket draw has said he will avoid the temptation of splashing out on luxuries, and instead save for his family's future.

Shivamurthy Gali Krishnappa said becoming a millionaire “does not mean a person can spend recklessly”.

The 42-year-old said he wants his two children to attend good universities once they finish school.

He had been purchasing a ticket for three years, but it was the ticket number 202511 that won him millions of dirhams.

"Just because we have all this money doesn't mean we can spend recklessly," he told The National.

“We are not going to be tempted into buying expensive things. I want to secure my children's and family’s future.

“I will buy a house in India, save in the bank and maybe open a small business in my home country, which my brothers can look after.”

Mr Krishnappa, who moved to Sharjah in 2005 and works as a mechanical engineer, said the funds would help him and family stay longer in the UAE.

He said his company supported him and his colleagues during the Covid-19 pandemic, but there were always job worries.

“We love living in the UAE. This is our home and we want to stay here as long as we can,” Mr Krishnappa said.

The Abu Dhabi Big Ticket draw has been taking place since 1992.

In January, an Indian businessman in Oman won Dh20m. He split the funds with six of his colleagues.

A Filipina hotel receptionist won Dh1m with Al Ansari Exchange Rewards earlier this year, when she bought a ticket after wiring her father Dh186.

Last month, an Indian woman in Qatar won Dh15m in the Abu Dhabi Big Ticket – with a ticket she did not even remember buying.

How would you spend Dh20m? - in pictures

So how would you spend Dh100 million? To truly live life in the fast lane you need a luxury car in the garage. The limited edition Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ is for the most passionate of petrolheads, retailing at more than Dh14 million
Once you have your flashy new set of wheels, it makes sense to get a personalised number plate. The V12 plate sold for a tidy Dh7.2 million at a previous RTA auction in Dubai. Satish Kumar / The National
You are already feeling over the moon so why not fly to it? Commercial flights might be commonplace long in the future, but will be the preserve of the rich and famous in the short term at least as space entrepreneurs bid to corner the market
Travel in style on board Etihad's The Residence. VIP flights come with a host of perks, including a comfy bed.
When money is no object, why not splash out on a stay at a submarine hotel? This luxurious underwater establishment in St Lucia will set you back Dh1 million a night
A boost to the bank balance affords one the opportunity to travel the world. How about a trip to Paris once you need a break from lazing around the mansion?
For those looking to lay down roots in Dubai, there are plenty of spacious villas in Emirates Hills - dubbed the Beverly Hills of the UAE. One of the priciest properties in the area on the market is on sale for Dh14.5 million
Any self-respecting millionaire has to have a yacht. While a super yacht might be out of the reach of even someone with Dh20 million, you can still pick up a top-of-the-line vessel and still have some change. Pawan Singh / The National
Live the high life with a plush apartment in the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa. Lavish pads are available for under Dh5 million. Satish Kumar / The National

The Good Liar

Starring: Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen

Directed by: Bill Condon

Three out of five stars

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt

Indian dad who won Abu Dhabi's Dh12m lottery ‘won’t be tempted into luxury spending’

Shivamurthy Gali Krishnappa struck lucky when he scooped the capital's Big Ticket draw

Read more about other big prize winners in the UAE:

How would you spend Dh20m? - in pictures

The Good Liar

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026