Winners share tales of surprise, gratitude and dreams of clinching the Dh25 million jackpot.
Dubai: Four expatriates from Kerala have each won Dh25,000 in Big Ticket’s first weekly e-draw for June, transforming an ordinary day into a memorable one with a life-changing phone call.
The winners said they were overwhelmed with surprise and excitement after discovering they had struck lucky in the draw.
Thought it was a prank
Among the winners was 51-year-old Afthab Kodakkdan, a businessman from Kerala who has been living in Doha with his family since 2006.
Kodakkdan first came across Big Ticket while travelling through the airport and has been participating intermittently for the past three years.
“I’ve been buying tickets online by myself for the last three years. One thing I always do is let my children pick the ticket numbers for me,” Kodakkdan said.
When Big Ticket representatives contacted him to share the news, Kodakkdan admitted he initially found it hard to believe.
“When I received the call, I thought it was a prank at first. Once I realised it was genuine, the excitement and happiness gradually began to sink in,” he said.
Although he has not yet decided how to use the prize money, Kodakkdan has already purchased another ticket and remains optimistic about winning the grand prize.
“I would encourage people to try their luck because Big Ticket is a trustworthy and genuine platform. You never know when fortune might smile on you,” he added.
First win
Another winner, 44-year-old Subairabdu Subair, has been living in Ras Al Khaimah with his family for the past 13 years and works at a supermarket.
A regular Big Ticket participant who occasionally joins group purchases, Subair decided to buy a ticket on his own this time. The winning call came as a complete surprise.
“I truly did not see this coming,” Subair said.
The prize marks his first-ever Big Ticket win. He plans to use the money to support his family and encouraged others to take a chance and try their luck as well.
“Give Big Ticket a try. It’s an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed,” he said.
Group success
For 26-year-old Safna Pothengal Kader, who lives in Al Ain with her family, the win was particularly meaningful because the prize was shared among a group of 21 participants.
The Kerala native has been participating in Big Ticket draws with the group for several years, making this their first winning experience.
“I’m very happy. It’s such a wonderful feeling to win,” Kader said.
Kader said she plans to reinvest her share of the prize money into future Big Ticket purchases, hoping for even greater rewards in the future.
Winning news
Aneesh Abraham, a 30-year-old hospitality professional from Kerala, currently lives in the United Kingdom while his family remains in India.
He first discovered Big Ticket through social media and during transit stops in Abu Dhabi.
“I usually buy tickets whenever I have a layover in Abu Dhabi, or through the website when I’m in India. I’ve been participating for quite a while, and this is my first win,” Abraham said.
Because of the time difference, Abraham was asleep when the winning call came through.
“When I received the call, I was actually asleep because of the time difference. Once the news sank in, I was incredibly excited,” he said.
He plans to use the prize money to help meet financial commitments and intends to continue participating in future draws.
Dh25 million grand prize still up for grabs
While the four winners are celebrating their Dh25,000 prizes, the grand jackpot remains unclaimed, giving participants another chance to win the top prize in the upcoming draw.
One lucky participant will win the Dh25 million grand prize during Big Ticket’s live draw on July 3. In addition, five entrants will each receive Dh1 million in consolation prizes.
Three more weekly e-draws are scheduled this month, with four winners set to take home Dh25,000 each. The draws are streamed live on the Big Ticket YouTube channel at 11am.
Customers who purchase a Big Ticket during June will also be automatically entered into The Big Spin promotion. Three participants will be selected during the July 3 live draw and will go on to compete on August 3 for a chance to win up to Dh1 million each.
Meanwhile, the Dream Car promotion remains under way, with a BMW X6 set to be awarded on July 3 and a Maserati Grecale on August 3.
With a Dh25 million grand prize, five Dh1 million consolation prizes, weekly cash rewards, luxury vehicle giveaways, and The Big Spin promotion, Big Ticket is offering participants multiple chances to win throughout the summer, with a range of prizes designed to reward lucky entrants across several draws.
