Meet the Indian expat buying Duty Free and Big Ticket for 30 years

Dubai: For the past 30 years, Ajman-based Indian expat Jaffar Motiwala has been trying his luck at various raffles held in the UAE, though he has never kept track of how much money he has shelled out on purchasing tickets.

The 59-year-old businessman from Goa has participated in raffles from Dubai Duty Free (DDF), the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), Big Ticket, Mahzooz, Emirates Draw, and the more recent the UAE Lottery.

Over the years, he’s often tried more than two raffles at a time, if not four a month, but with no luck. Last week, he finally tasted success, winning Dh50,000 in Big Ticket’s Big Win contest. However, Motiwala told Gulf News that he has no plans to rest until he hits the jackpot.

“I’m passionate about buying tickets. I don’t rely on these raffles for financial gain. I do it for fun,” said Motiwala, who began his career as a supervisor at a company and now runs a small trading firm in Dubai.

Looking back on his first ticket purchase in 1994, the year he arrived in the UAE, Motiwala became nostalgic.

“My journey began in 1994 with Dubai Duty Free, which was quite popular at the time. Back then, it only offered cars like BMW, Mercedes, or Porsche as prizes. Tickets cost Dh500 each. In 1999, DDF introduced the Millennium Millionaire promotion with a $1 million prize. After three decades, I’m still waiting for the call that tells me I’ve won the jackpot. Now, a ticket costs Dh1,000.”

Motiwala’s dedication to purchasing tickets is unmatched, as he tries his luck every month, sometimes buying multiple tickets.

“I buy everything. I’ve participated in the Dubai Shopping Festival raffles. Since 2005, I’ve been purchasing Big Ticket entries, and winning Dh50,000 in Big Ticket’s Big Win contest was my first time winning a prize.”

Despite mostly purchasing tickets alone, Motiwala doesn’t have a set budget for his monthly spending and doesn’t keep track of his total investment.

“I don’t know how much I’ve spent on tickets because I usually buy them by myself. I’ve been buying Big Ticket and Dubai Duty Free tickets every month, hoping one day to recover my investment by winning the jackpot.”

After Mahzooz and Emirates Draw ceased operations, Motiwala is now excited about the UAE Lottery.

“I’m trying to win the Dh100 million grand prize in the UAE Lottery.”

He is also pooling money with friends and colleagues to buy even more tickets.

“I have two groups – one with four members and another with 10 to pool money to buy tickets.”

Asked if he’s spent hundreds of thousands on raffle tickets over the years, Motiwala paused before responding. “It may be that much. I’m trying everywhere. I hope one day my turn will come.”

Well-settled in his life, with two sons working in the UAE, Motiwala shared his plans if he were to win.

“I have many plans. I will donate a portion of my winnings to charity and help those in need. Then, I might invest in Dubai’s real estate market and expand my business.”

Asked about people who criticise him for spending large amounts on lottery tickets, he said: “Some people discourage me, saying I’m crazy. But I want to tell them that it’s only by trying that you’ll win. My time will come.”