Indian Expat Driver in Dubai Wins Dh25 Million Big Ticket Jackpot

Key facts

• Abdul Rasheed Allipra Valappil Abdu won Dh25 million in the Big Ticket Abu Dhabi draw on May 3, 2026.
• He is a 48-year-old driver from Kerala living in Dubai for 17 years.
• His winning ticket number 012318 was bought on April 19.
• He has been purchasing Big Ticket entries monthly for six years.
• Asharaf Abdulla, a 41-year-old driver from Kerala, won a Land Rover Defender after nine years of participation.
• Five consolation prizes of Dh1 million each were awarded to Indian expats in Ajman, Dubai, and Oman.
• The next Big Ticket draw on June 3 offers a Dh20 million grand prize.

A Life-Changing Call on a Sunday Evening

On Sunday, May 3, 2026, Abdul Rasheed Allipra Valappil Abdu received a phone call that would transform his life. The hosts Richard and Bouchra of the Big Ticket Abu Dhabi draw informed him he had won the Dh25 million grand prize. In disbelief, he responded, "You are not joking? How many million?" before expressing his gratitude.

The Winner: A Driver from Kerala with 17 Years in Dubai

Abdul Rasheed, 48, is a driver from Kerala who has lived in Dubai for 17 years while his family remains in India. He first learned about Big Ticket through friends and social media, and for the past six years he has purchased tickets every month. The winning moment came as a complete shock while he was spending time with friends. "I'm very happy, it was a special moment to find out while I was with my friends," he shared.

Plans for the Prize and Continued Participation

Abdul Rasheed now plans to take time to speak with his family and friends before deciding how to use his winnings. He intends to continue his journey with Big Ticket, stating, "Thank you to Big Ticket for making trying worth it." His family remains in India, and the prize may enable him to reunite with them or support them from afar.

A Second Winner: Land Rover Defender for a Long-Time Participant

Asharaf Abdulla, a 41-year-old driver from Kerala living in Abu Dhabi for 16 years, won a brand new Land Rover Defender after nine years of consistent participation. He has been purchasing tickets monthly, often as part of a group of 40 participants, and also contributes through two other groups. "I'm very happy, it was completely unexpected," he said. "My friend encouraged me to buy the Dream Car ticket, and I thought, why not?" He plans to divide the prize among his group, reflecting the collective effort.

Five Consolation Prizes of Dh1 Million Each

In addition to the grand prize, five consolation prizes of Dh1 million were awarded to Indian expats: Leo Lorenz from Ajman (ticket 121930), Ritesh Lobo from Dubai (378830), Rajat Satish from Dubai (321146), Chaitanya Ramachandran from Dubai (245762), and Murali Vazhayil from Oman (120705). These winners join the ranks of Big Ticket's monthly millionaires.

Big Ticket's May Campaign and Upcoming Dh20 Million Draw

Carrying the momentum from the May draw, Big Ticket has unveiled a refreshed line-up of promotions for May. The centerpiece is a Dh20 million grand prize, with the winner to be revealed during the live draw on June 3. Additional opportunities include The Big Win with prizes up to Dh600,000, weekly e-draws totaling Dh400,000, and luxury car giveaways. The structured campaign aims to keep participants engaged throughout the month.

A Shared Moment of Joy and Hope for the Future

Both winners expressed gratitude and a sense of shared joy. Asharaf Abdulla thanked the Big Ticket family and said, "Hard luck to everyone who didn't win this time." Abdul Rasheed's win, after six years of persistence, underscores the enduring appeal of the lottery for expatriate workers in the UAE. As Big Ticket continues its monthly draws, the stories of these winners serve as a testament to the life-changing possibilities that a single ticket can bring.

The bottom line

• Abdul Rasheed Allipra Valappil Abdu won Dh25 million after six years of monthly ticket purchases.
• Asharaf Abdulla won a Land Rover Defender after nine years of participation, sharing the prize with his group.
• Five Indian expats each won Dh1 million consolation prizes.
• The next Big Ticket draw on June 3 offers a Dh20 million grand prize.
• Big Ticket's May campaign includes multiple prize tiers and weekly draws to maintain engagement.