Abu Dhabi Grand Lottery draw: ‘I thought it was spam’: Indian expatriate wins Dh20 million in Abu Dhabi Grand Lottery draw | World News

An Indian expat living in Oman has won a Dh20 million jackpot in the latest big lottery draw in Abu Dhabi, one of the biggest jackpots of the month.Shanthanu Shettigar, a native of Karnataka who works in the retail industry in Muscat, won the jackpot in the Series 283 draw with ticket number 305810, which he purchased on January 20. Organizers announced the winner by calling him directly during the live draw to share the news.The Big Draw, held regularly in Abu Dhabi, continues to attract participants from the UAE and neighboring countries with its multi-million-dirham prizes.

Winner almost ignores life-changing phone call

The 33-year-old said the moment felt surreal and overwhelming.“I’m speechless…I never thought I would win,” he said after receiving the call during a live broadcast.He revealed that he was initially hesitant to answer, thinking it might be a spam call he received at work. Like many hopeful participants, it took him nearly five years to finally win.The timing of this victory was particularly important to him personally as it came so soon after he became a father, adding emotional weight to this life-changing moment. Shettigar confirmed that he purchased the ticket with a friend, which means they will share the Dh20 million prize. This is a common practice among big ticket players to increase their chances of winning.For now, he said he plans to take his time before making any big financial decisions. He also encourages others to keep trying, noting that persistence and group participation often improve their chances.

five Dh1 million winner Announce

The latest draw isn’t limited to just one winner, with several participants also receiving generous prizes. In addition to the Dh20 million jackpot, organizers also announced that five people had won Dh1 million each, further cementing the draw’s reputation for creating multiple millionaires in a single event.In addition to cash prizes, the Dream Car Series also awarded a luxury BMW X5, adding another layer of excitement. These additional prizes have become a defining feature of the Big Ticket format, ensuring that even those who miss out on the big prize still have a chance to claim life-changing rewards. This win-win structure continues to attract a wide range of players, especially expatriates in the Gulf region.

Big ticket details

Launched in 1992, the Big Ticket lottery has grown to become one of the most established and trusted draws in the UAE, renowned for its transparency and generous prize pools. Tickets cost AED 500 and can be purchased online or at the counter at Abu Dhabi International Airport.Participants typically purchase tickets individually, but it’s equally common to buy in groups, allowing friends or colleagues to pool resources and increase their chances of winning. Each month’s draw offers jackpots worth up to millions of dirhams, with a range of complementary prizes available including cash prizes and high-end vehicles. This combination of accessibility and high-value incentives has kept it popular for decades.

Upcoming draws and prizes worth watching

Looking ahead, organizers have confirmed that the next draw will once again introduce a jackpot of Dh20 million, maintaining the high-stakes appeal of recent months. The upcoming draw is also expected to include multiple AED 1 million prizes, continuing the trend of awarding multiple participants each cycle.Luxury vehicles will remain part of the Dream Cars promotion, while additional incentives such as early bird bonuses may be introduced to encourage ticket purchases throughout the month.