Abu Dhabi: An Al Ain-based private driver, Munavar Fairoos, was named the lucky winner at the Series 259 Big Ticket Live draw, following which he took home the Dh20 million grand prize.
Previously a resident of Abu Dhabi, Munavar who now lives in Al Ain, said he has been buying tickets every month for the past five years, and yet was shocked to learn of his big win. When asked what he planned to do with his winnings, he said, “I’m not sure yet because I really did not expect this to happen. I’m still shocked, and will need to take some time think about my options.”
The grand prize winner, who purchased his winning ticket with a group of 30 people, will be splitting the prize money evenly.
During yesterday afternoon’s live draw, 10 lucky winners of Indian, Palestinian, Lebanese, and Saudi Arabian nationalities were also announced, each of them taking home cash prizes worth a total of Dh100,000.
On the same day, Suthesh Kumar Kumaresan was named the fourth weekly e-draw winner for the month of December, with a prize of Dh1 million. The Abu Dhabi resident who works as an engineer for Etihad Airways said he stops by the in-store counters at Abu Dhabi International Airport to buy his tickets each time he travels. In keeping with this tradition, he bought his winning ticket on his way back to the UAE from a vacation he took with his family.
“It was my seven-year-old daughter who actually chose the winning ticket numbers,” he told Big Ticket’s representatives. “My family is very excited about the win. We bought a home in India and plan to use the money to pay off the interest.”
During the days ahead, one lucky individual will be named the grand prize winner and will walk away with Dh15 million during the live draw on February 3. Customers who purchase their Dream Car tickets beginning on January 1 will also have a chance to take home a Maserati Grecale on March 3.
Customers are encouraged to exercise caution when making their purchase through third-party pages and groups to ensure the authenticity of their tickets.
