Chasing Big Ticket or UAE raffle dream? Here’s how Dh100 a month can make your dreams come true

Dubai: Every month, thousands of UAE residents team up with friends or colleagues to try their luck in popular lotteries like the Big Ticket Abu Dhabi, Dubai Duty Free raffle, The UAE lottery or other lucky draws. It’s a familiar routine: pool Dh100 each, split the ticket, and hope your group hits the jackpot.

In the UAE, it’s more than just a game—playing the Big Ticket or Dubai Duty Free raffle is a ritual for many. Friends, office colleagues, and even entire building groups often chip in Dh100 each, dreaming of that life-changing call.

And for some, the dream finally comes true.

Take Dennis Mallari, a Dubai-based Filipino photographer, who’s been playing since 2012. In July, he won Dh50,000 in Big Ticket Abu Dhabi’s weekly e-draw. “It’s not the jackpot yet,” he says, “but it’s a sign I’m getting closer to my dream home.”

Babulal Gautam, a 68-year-old Mumbai resident and former Sharjah shop owner, spent 10 years chasing luck. In June, it paid off with a Dh150,000 win. That same month, a Tunisian expat in Ajman and three Keralites also took home the prize after years of persistence.

But while some stories end in smiles, many others keep waiting for their big break. 

It’s fun. It builds hope. Sometimes it even delivers. But for many, the thrill fades after years of buying without a win.

If you’ve been spending Dh100–500 every month for years, that adds up to tens of thousands—often with no return.

So here’s a question: What else can that Dh100 do for you?

Now imagine putting that money into a gold savings plan, monthly deposit, or investment account instead.

Swap that Dh100 monthly spend for memories that last. Over five years, you’ll save Dh6,000 — enough for exciting trips and new experiences.

With Dh6,000, you could book round-trip flights and hotels for two to destinations like Baku or Bohol. A small saving now can unlock big adventures later.

Here’s what it could get you:

Over time, this creates a second win: steady financial security—or cherished experiences—even if luck doesn’t strike. 

Winning the lottery is thrilling—and persistence can pay off. Whether it takes two months, like Praveen Arun Tellis, or decades like Jaffar Motiwala, the dream keeps hope alive.

But while you’re buying that shared Big Ticket or UAE lottery, consider setting aside another Dh100 toward your future.

Because while luck is uncertain, smart investing always compounds. 

Building an investment portfolio doesn’t require a fortune; you can start with just a few hundred dirhams. Automation tools like savings apps help consistently set aside money.

For example, Dh10,000 invested in 1960 could grow to over Dh2.4 million with dividends reinvested, compared to Dh431,397 without dividends.

Key advice:

This isn’t about giving up the dream. Buying a shared Big Ticket with friends is a tradition, a thrill, and a bonding moment.

But many residents now balance that habit by also putting money into options that grow consistently—so even if luck doesn’t strike, their money still works.

Think of it this way:

Not all wins come in millions. Sometimes building wealth slowly and steadily is the real prize.

Whether it’s a holiday fund, future home deposit, or child’s education plan, your monthly lottery budget can be a powerful tool—not just a hopeful one.