The first live draw, scheduled for December 14, has become the talk of the town
PG Sanjid, who works in Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT), couldn’t contain his excitement upon learning about the launch of a new raffle — the UAE Lottery. Taking a break from work, he registered on the official website. “I read on Khaleej Times that a new regulated draw had been launched in the UAE. I went to the website, and it took about five minutes to register using my Emirates ID,” said Sanjid.
He initially purchased just one ticket to familiarise himself with the process, but quickly informed his friends. “On the spot, 10 of my friends registered and bought tickets,” he said, adding that soon after, everybody in his office was talking about it. “We are all planning to buy more tickets after work.”
Excitement is building across the UAE with several residents snapping up Dh50 tickets for a chance to win the massive Dh100-million jackpot. Instantly, the country’s first regulated lottery became the talk of the town.
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The UAE Lottery, operated by Abu Dhabi-based The Game LLC, is licensed by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). Besides the jackpot, the 'Lucky Day' draw 'guarantees' a Dh100,000 prize for seven participants. The first live draw will be held on December 14.
Bangladeshi expat Abdul Mansur, a regular participant in UAE raffles, can hardly wait for the new draw. “A friend called me in the morning and sent me the link. At first, I couldn’t believe it. But I couldn't resist myself and registered immediately,” he said.
Mansur, who previously won Dh50,000 and shared a Dh15-million prize with 20 colleagues, hopes for another big win. “I have bought the ticket, and I am sure all my friends will buy it. This draw is affordable, and the jackpot of Dh100 million is amazing. I hope to win it,” the expat said.
Some residents purchased their first tickets, mainly to familiarise themselves with the games. Among them is Rajesh, a regular participant in UAE draws who spent his lunch break exploring the new platform.
“I was on the website for nearly an hour during my lunch break, trying to understand the different options available,” said Rajesh. “The website is easy to navigate and understand, and I was surprised by the variety of games. There is a draw with the massive Dh100-million jackpot, and then there are scratch cards with different price ranges and prizes,” said Rajesh.
Scratch card
Curious to test his luck, Rajesh purchased five scratch cards priced at Dh5 each. “Unfortunately, I didn’t win anything this time, but it was still exciting to try,” said Rajesh. “What I appreciate about this draw is how affordable it is. You don’t need to spend a lot to participate.”
Rajesh is already planning his next move. “I will buy a ticket for the Dh100-million draw soon. I might even become a regular participant because of the affordability and the impressive prizes on offer. It feels like a great opportunity for anyone willing to try their luck.”
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SM Ayaz Zakir is a Senior Correspondent with a flair for extraordinary stories. His playground? Every corner of the UAE. He often ventures into remote corners of the country to capture compelling news and human interest stories.