Indian expat Anilkumar Bolla becomes UAE’s first Dh100 million lottery winner. SUPPLIED

When Anilkumar Bolla bought his The UAE Lottery tickets this month, he never imagined one would change his life forever. On October 18, the Indian expatriate became the first winner of the historic Dh100 million jackpot — the biggest in the country’s lottery history. The UAE Lottery officially revealed Bolla’s identity on Monday (October 27), after a week of viral anticipation fueled by a teaser that captured his emotional reaction to the news. In the now-famous call recording released earlier, a stunned voice could be heard shouting “Oh my God!” after being told he was the grand prize winner — a sound that resonated across social media. “I feel very lucky to win the first biggest prize in UAE lottery history,” Bolla said in a video released by The UAE Lottery. “I haven’t done any magic or something. I just chose the Easy Pick.” The 35-year-old Indian national has been living in the UAE for just a year and a half. He said he purchased 12 tickets, one of which — marked with his mother’s birthday — turned out to be the life-changing number combination. Bolla recalled the moment he realized he had won: “I was sitting on the sofa, just feeling that yes, I won it. I was very shocked.” His winning ticket matched all seven numbers — 7, 10, 11, 18, 25, 29 (Days Set) and 11 (Months Set) — during the 23rd "Lucky Day" draw held on October 18. The UAE Lottery described the milestone as a “historic moment for the country’s entertainment and gaming landscape,” marking the first time a player has taken home the Dh100 million top prize. In the days leading up to his reveal, social media had been abuzz with speculation. The lottery operator teased the public with partial details of the winner’s name — “Anilkum* B***” — sparking a nationwide guessing game.

From dreams to plans

When asked what he plans to do with his newfound fortune, Bolla’s response was thoughtful rather than impulsive. “I was just thinking how I need to invest this amount — spend it in the right way. After winning this amount, I felt like I have money now, but I also need to work on my thoughts in the right way and I want to do something big,” he said. Still, the dreamer in him hasn’t disappeared. “I have a dream to buy a supercar. I want to celebrate this moment in a great resort or a 7-star hotel,” he shared with a smile. But above all, Bolla’s biggest dream is about family. “I just want to take my family to the UAE and enjoy my whole life staying with them. My mom and dad had very small dreams — I want to fulfill all their dreams and take care of them.” Despite his new fortune, Bolla remains grounded and grateful. He revealed that he plans to donate a portion of his winnings to charity. “I believe that donations will reach the people who really need the money. That gives me core happiness,” he said. Asked what advice he would give to other hopefuls, he smiled and said, “I believe that everything happens for a reason. Keep playing. For sure, one day luck will come to you.” PIA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page