Dh100-million Emirates Draw lottery: Retired Indian engineer wins jackpot

A retired engineer based in India has won Emirates Draw’s $27-million (Dh100 million) jackpot, the lottery operator announced late Thursday. Sriram Rajagopalan matched all seven numbers in the MEGA7 game, securing the largest individual prize in the draw's history.

Owned and operated by Tycheros, Emirates Draw had paused its UAE operations at the end of 2023 following regulatory updates from the UAE's Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). The company subsequently shifted its focus to international markets.

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According to the company, Sriram matched the winning numbers on March 16. He tapped "random numbers on his phone using a stylus with his eyes closed", Emirates Draw said in a press statement.

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“I didn’t believe it at first. I replayed the draw video and even took a screenshot of the winning numbers,” he was quoted as saying.

Raised in a humble, middle-class household, Sriram moved to Saudi Arabia in 1998, where he built a life abroad with his wife and raised two sons before returning home to Chennai after retiring in 2023.

He had taken a break from playing but decided to try his luck again. Sriram described the winning moment as “70 per cent happiness, 30 per cent fear.”

“It’s a huge amount. I’ve never managed anything like this before... This win isn’t just for me; it’s hope for my family, my children, and everyone reading. Every father dreams of securing their children’s future—and now I can. This is a chance to build generational wealth.”

While he hasn’t revealed specific plans for the money, he said he intends to donate a portion to charity. “I have bigger choices to make now compared to when I was a regular employee. So yes, it might change my life but not who I am.”

Emirates Draw operated in the UAE for just over two years before ceasing operations, following an unsuccessful bid to obtain the sole national lottery licence, which was ultimately awarded to The Game, LLC, the operator of The UAE Lottery.

Sahim Salim

As Associate Editor, Sahim Salim helps tell the UAE story like no one else does — and leads a team of reporters that asks the questions to get news and headlines that matter.

sahim@khaleejtimes.com