Dubai: The latest Dubai Duty Free (DDF) Millennium Millionaire Series draw produced not one but two millionaires! Australian expatriate Reza Dole, 45, living in Dubai, won $1 million (Dh3.67 million) at the Millennium Millionaire Series 368, with ticket number 4548, which he had purchased online on August 28. He was joined by Tariq A., a 45-year-old Saudi Arabian national based in Manama, Bahrain, who also won $1 million in Millennium Millionaire Series 367 with ticket number 3279, which he had purchased online on August 17.
A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion since 2018, Dole has been a resident of Dubai for 12 years. He works as an investment banker.
Dole is a second-time winner with Dubai Duty Free as he had previously won a Bentley Continental GT (Camel Linen) car, with a Finest Surprise ticket number 1580 in Series 1730 in 2019. He was understandably delighted to receive yet another call from Dubai Duty Free, informing him that he had also won $1 million this time.
“I never thought that this day would come! Having won a car in 2019 I’m humbled by this other opportunity, this time $1 million. Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free!” he said.
When asked about his initial plan, he said: “Like when I sold the car that I won, this money will certainly go along away, including my children’s education and some charity work.”
Dole is the eighth Australian national to have won in the Millennium Millionaire promotion since it started in 1999.
There were three others who won luxury vehicles as Dubai Duty Free conducted the latest draw for Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise promotion today at Terminal 2 of Dubai International Airport.
In an interview with Gulf News, Dole said: “I feel humbled given the circumstances we live in. I know a lot of people are going through a challenging phase right now. I will make my celebrations sombre.” Dole said he had not travelled for two years and would like to go on a trip soon. “I want to take my family on a trip sometime. But I am waiting to visit a place that is tourist-friendly amid the pandemic,” said Dole who lives in Dubai with his wife and two teenage children.
The other winner, Tariq, who bought four tickets for Series 367, is a regular participant in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion since 2002. A resident of Bahrain for ten years now, Tariq is a father of two and works in an oil and gas company in Bahrain. He is the tenth Saudi Arabian national to win $1 million since the start of the Millennium Millionaire promotion in 1999.
Tariq runs a watch and jewellery business in Manama. He lives there with his wife and two boys — both six years old.
“I have been buying the DDF ticket since 2002. Dubai is great for so many people. I knew that my commitment will see an award come through in Dubai,” Tariq, who celebrates his birthday in two days’ time, said.
Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for one luxury car and two motorbikes. Pakistani expat Jamil Murad, 57, won a Range Rover Sport HSE Dynamic 5.0 (Lantau Bronze) car, with ticket number 1194 in Finest Surprise Series 1782, which he purchased online on August 24.
A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion for 20 years now, the father of two, Murad works as a construction project manager for Texture Group. “I sincerely thank Dubai Duty Free for this amazing opportunity that comes at the right time in terms of my financial obligations and preparation for my retirement as well as securing my children’s future.” he said.
Indian expat Dhanasekar Balasundaram, 49, living in Abu Dhabi, won a BMW F 850 GS Adventure (Kalamta Metallic Matt) motorbike, with ticket number 0238 in Finest Surprise Series 467, which he had purchased online on August 11.
A resident of Abu Dhabi since 2003, Balasundaram started buying tickets to Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise promotion to win a motorbike this year when he got his motorbike licensed in February. “Thank you Dubai Duty Free! I’m really happy to win my dream bike, I can’t wait to drive this in Abu Dhabi roads,” he said.
Baurzhan, a Kazakh national in Kazakhstan, won a BMW R nineT Scrambler (Aluminum) motorbike, with ticket number 0749 in Finest Surprise Series 468.
Baurzhan could not be reached for comments.
