Emirates Draw reveals Dh100million lottery winner is Sriram Rajagopalan

Chennai: Emirates Draw on Thursday revealed the details of its first global winner of Dh100million lottery.

Sriram Rajagopalan, a retired engineer living in Chennai, India, is the lucky winner who hit the $27million jackpot in March, announced Tycheros, an Isle of Man-based lottery company operating Emirates Draw in 175 countries via its online platforms.

Emirates Draw had made its debut in the UAE in September 2021 but expanded to its global network online after its UAE operations were ceased on January 1, 2024, in compliance with new regulations from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). UAE residents can no longer access the Emirates Draw website or participate in its draws, as the site is restricted within the country and no physical tickets are available.

This is the first time that an international participant has won the whopping grand prize worth Dh100million.

On Sunday, March 16, 2025, a day after his 56th birthday and six days after his mother's 88th birthday, Sriram did something he had done many times before: he bought a ticket.

He told the lottery company that he had just tapped random numbers on his phone using a stylus with his eyes closed. Sriram then received the call that changed everything.

To his super luck, he had matched all seven numbers in Emirates Draw’s MEGA7 game and became the historic winner.

“I didn’t believe it at first,” he said, just like many other lottery winners who initially find it difficult to fathom their unexpected fortune.

“I replayed the draw video and even took a screenshot of the winning numbers.”

Raised in a humble, middle-class household, Sriram credits his strength to one person, his mother. “Amma (Mother) taught us to never give up. No matter what happens.”

That belief carried him through a steady life, full of dreams shaped by hard work and family values. He moved to Saudi Arabia in 1998, built a life abroad with his wife, raised two sons, and returned home after retiring in 2023.

Despite health challenges and the responsibility of caring for his ailing mother, the former Indian expat never lost faith. “I had taken a break from playing, but then I thought, what if luck comes and I have no ticket? I didn’t want to miss that chance.”

His interest in lottery and perseverance, kept him playing regularly all Emirates Draw games. “Small or big because the odds are the odds and that’s what makes it exciting,” he said.

Like many other players, Sriram played hoping for luck, not expecting a life-changing win. However, destiny had other plans.

Sriram described the winning moment in simple words: “70% happiness. 30% fear. It’s a huge amount. I’ve never managed something like this before, but Emirates Draw guided me through it all. This win isn’t only for me; it’s hope for my family, my children, and everyone reading. Every father dreams of securing their children’s future and now I can as this is the chance to build generational wealth.”

When asked about giving back, he did not hesitate. “I have a history of charitable acts, but these days I see how deeply cancer is affecting many lives, especially children and I want to support causes that matter. From temples and elderly homes to cancer charities. There’s so much good that needs to be done.”

His strategy? “People sometimes get obsessed with strategies, but luck doesn’t follow formulas. The only strategy is to play responsibly, buy what you can afford, and enjoy the experience. That's the spirit!”

What does Sriram say to those who doubt these wins? “The Internet comes with a lot of noise; you will find scams selling lucky numbers or people saying it’s fake. Don’t fall for them. The only way to know is to try.”

Will the Dh100 million ($27 million) win change Sriram? “I have bigger choices to make now compared to when I was a regular employee. So, yes it might change my life but not who I am.”

When asked what legacy he hopes to leave behind, he stressed: “I haven’t invented anything or discovered a planet, I’m just lucky and grateful. I want the blessings to keep flowing and I hope to be remembered for the good I give back. Because for me, giving back is what makes a lottery win truly meaningful.”

Now, Sriram is focused on paying it forward and making a difference. And yes, he has already bought another EASY6 ticket!

But to thousands of dreamers out there, his message is gold: “You'll face failures, emotions, and moments when you question yourself… make sure you come back and play. Buy at least one ticket, enjoy, and play responsibly. You don’t know when luck will shine on you. That's all I did and it changed everything.”

Paul Sebestyen, CEO at Tycheros, said: “Congratulations to our $27 million winner, whose life and the lives of future generations, will be transformed forever! This win marks the largest individual win in our game’s history... As lottery winners often say, ‘You always hope, but you never think it will be you, until it is.’”