UAE: Indian expat wins Dh30 million in Big Ticket

Abu Dhabi: In the first Big Ticket raffle draw of 2025, an Indian expat living in Bahrain won the grand prize of Dh30 million. Manu Mohanan, the newest millionaire, bought the winning ticket with number 535948 on December 26.

“I am fine. I bought a Big Ticket. No, I am not watching the live show right now,” Mohanan told show hosts Richard and Bouchra, who called him to break the good news.

“Really. I can’t believe it. Thank you so much. I have been buying tickets with around 15-16 friends for more than five years,” said Mohanan, who has been living in Bahrain for seven years.

“I work as a nurse here,” he added.

Bouchra noted that Mohanan got lucky with a free ticket.

Big Ticket has a regular ‘buy two, get one free’ offer, among other promotions. 

“This is the biggest prize of the year,” Richard noted about the Dh30 million grand prize. 

Meanwhile, Aravind Appukuttan, the December 2024 grand prize winner of Dh25 million, helped the hosts pick the winning ticket and said the unexpected windfall has changed his life.

 “I have some debt. I will support my family and make some investments. It’s the same for my friends. I am sharing the grand prize with 19 other friends,” Appukuttan said.

 Additionally, Big Ticket is bringing back its ‘The Big Win’ contest, where individuals who purchase at least two tickets in a single transaction by January 26 will be entered for a chance to join the grand finale live draw in February. The January promotion for the Dh25 million grand prize has started and the live draw will be on February 3.

Also, every week, one lucky ticket holder will walk away with Dh1 million through weekly e-draws. Tickets can be bought online at www.bigticket.ae or at counters located at Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain International Airport