Raffle draw hosts Richard and Bouchra during the Big Ticket draw at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi on July 3, 2024.

An Indian expat in Dubai is now Dh10 million richer after winning the grand prize in the Big Ticket draw in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday (July 3). Raisur Rahman won the jackpot with ticket number 078319 that he bought on June 15 and immediately received a call from show hosts Richard and Bouchra. “I am very happy. I wasn’t watching the live draw because I was busy in a meeting. I have stopped my car to take the call. I know this golden voice of Richard,” Rahman said. The Indian said that he has been buying tickets to the Big Ticket draws in the last 18 months. “I am not sharing the ticket with anyone else,” he said. Rahman has lived in Dubai since 2005 with his wife and son. As the CEO of SI Global Group, Rahman was always on the lookout for investment opportunities. He decided to start buying raffle tickets after a friend informed him about Big Ticket and has been buying tickets on-and-off ever since. Despite living in Dubai, Rahman would often go to Abu Dhabi when doing business. He described how he would park his car in Terminal A of the airport and buy a ticket. “I prefer the in-person experience more than purchasing from the website,” he said. Rahman was stunned when he found out that he won. He described his feeling with just one word: "Great". He has not yet decided what to do with his winnings but insists it will be “something good” for him and his family. He also promised to use a portion of the winnings to help the needy. When asked about advice he would give other participants, he said: “God loves those who loves others. Don’t go for shortcuts. Do your hard work. Be fair, be honest, be good, be respectful. If you have money, invest and lady luck will always shine.” Meanwhile, Big Ticket is running a Buy 2 Get 3 Free on tickets bought throughout July at Big Ticket stores at Abu Dhabi and Al Ain airports. The draw will be for a grand prize of Dh15 million on August 3, with a second prize of Dh1 million. Another 10 winners will also get Dh100,000 each. Tickets can be bought through the Big Ticket website or by visiting the in-store counters at the Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Airport. ICA/Expat Media
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