Indian expats strike luck in UAE big ticket raffle, wins Dh150,000 each

As anticipation builds for the Dh25 million (about $6.8 million) Big Ticket grand prize draw on July 3, five lucky individuals have already secured a windfall of Dh150,000($40,800) each in the latest round of winnings, among them, several Indian expatriates who have spent years in the UAE building lives, working hard, and hoping for a breakthrough. This month’s Big Ticket Abu Dhabi draw turned dreams into reality for a delivery rider, a businessman, a former UAE shop owner, and other long-time residents who placed their bets with persistence, patience, and a dash of hope.

Kerala Delivery Rider Strikes Gold After Six Tries

Abdulla Pulikkoor Mohammed, a 34-year-old delivery rider from Kerala, has been living in Abu Dhabi for the past nine years, supporting his family back in India. Despite having purchased only six Big Ticket entries, he hit the jackpot this time, sharing the winning ticket with a group of 12 friends. “Receiving the winning call made me feel happy. I plan to split the prize money with my friends and use my share to clear some loans,” he told Khaleej Times. “Big Ticket is truly doing wonders, and I believe everyone should take part.” His win is a reflection of how even modest participation, when shared and consistent, can lead to big rewards.

Businessman From Kerala Wins in Just Seven Months

Another Indian expat, Salihrahman Pallipadath, a 37-year-old businessman, has been living in Ajman for 15 years with his family.

Though he first learned about Big Ticket two years ago, he only started buying tickets seven months ago, also as part of a group of 11 friends. “Receiving the winning call was a great experience – I’m truly happy,” Pallipadath said. “I plan to use the prize money to renew my company visa. I’ll continue purchasing from Big Ticket, and I encourage others to do the same. It’s a luck-based raffle, and everyone should keep trying.” His story is one of perseverance and optimism, especially significant in the face of everyday business pressures and long-term responsibilities as a UAE-based entrepreneur.

Former Sharjah Shop Owner Wins After a Decade of Tries

Babulal Gautam, a 68-year-old from Mumbai, India, is another Big Ticket success story. He lived in Sharjah in 2014, where he ran a shop before returning to Mumbai. He’s been buying Big Ticket entries for ten years, a full decade of trying that finally paid off. “I actually missed the winning call, but I saw the email and was overjoyed. I kept checking and rechecking to make sure it was real. After a whole decade of trying, it finally happened,” he said. Known for his practical outlook, Gautam shared a piece of advice for hopefuls: “I’m more of a scientific person and don’t believe in luck much, so I believe the first step to winning is to simply buy a ticket.” His long journey with the raffle is a reminder of the patience and persistence that many expats maintain in the face of uncertain rewards. Also among the Dh150,000 prize winners is Shaji Memana, another Indian expat originally from Kerala. Memana bought his winning ticket online, and the news of his win came as an unexpected joy.

Countdown to the Dh25 Million Grand Prize

The next major Big Ticket event is the live grand prize draw on July 3, where the staggering Dh25 million jackpot will be awarded. In addition to the main prize, three winners will take home Dh75,000 each. Leading up to the grand event, Big Ticket will also hold weekly E-draws, with upcoming dates as follows:

With decades-long participation from the Indian community, especially among expats, Big Ticket continues to hold deep emotional and financial appeal. It offers not just a shot at fortune, but a moment of recognition and relief for thousands working hard across the UAE.