An Indian expat who lives in Sharjah has won AED 5 million in the UAE Lottery, five days before his 60th birthday. Kishore Pandurang Rao took the second prize in the Lucky Day draw on Saturday, 3 October, Khaleej Times reported. Rao first came to the UAE in 1993.
Key points
- Rao paid AED 50 for his ticket on the UAE Lottery platform and used Easy Pick to choose his numbers.
- He matched all six numbers in the Days section, which pays the AED 5 million second prize.
- He hopes to apply for a Golden Visa, bring his family together in the UAE and travel with his wife.
- He urges other players to set a limit on what they spend.
How did he win the UAE Lottery second prize?
Rao matched all six Days numbers in Lucky Day Draw No. 261003: 4, 5, 12, 14, 17 and 18. The Months number was 10, and it was not on his ticket, Gulf News reported. If he had matched it as well, he would have won the AED 30 million grand prize.
The win came in the same week as his 60th birthday on 8 October. Lucky Day draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday at 9.30pm.
What will he do with AED 5 million?
Over more than three decades in the country, Rao has lived in Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. A Golden Visa is at the top of his list. “I always hoped that one day I would get a Golden Visa,” he said. “Now I have a chance to apply for a Golden Visa, and I’d really like that.” Our guide to Dubai visa types covers the Golden Visa and the other main options for residents.
He did not tell his family straight away. He kept the news to himself at first, then told his wife. Asked who he most wanted to share the moment with, he said: “Especially my wife. Together, we share our ups and downs. Now this opportunity has come, so I have to share it with her, and with my children.”
Bringing his family together in the UAE, after long periods of living apart, is one of his main priorities, followed by travel. “My goal is that I have to travel around the world,” he said. “I have to see those places with my wife, because she is fond of traveling as well.” He says he is taking his time before deciding how to use the money.
Who regulates the UAE Lottery?
The UAE Lottery operates under the supervision of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the body that regulates commercial gaming in the country. The UAE Lottery says it is committed to responsible gaming. Rao’s advice to other players is simple. “Everyone should know their own limits,” he said. “They should set a limit on how much they spend.”
Other types of gaming are subject to different restrictions. Read our report on Play971 and the restrictions on sports wagering in the UAE.
Main image: Illustrative image. Sharjah photo: Mueed Ahmed, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
For more news from across the country, see our UAE section.