The Lebanese businessman said his first $1 million jackpot win was transferred to Beirut, but he was later unable to access or use the funds as he had originally planned.
A Lebanese businessman who won the $1 million Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire prize for the second time said he plans to keep and invest his latest winnings in the UAE after losing access to his first jackpot.
Antoine Labaki, a 53-year-old construction business owner from Beirut, became the 12th person to win the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire promotion twice.
His ticket number 3360 from Millennium Millionaire Series 551, which he purchased online on July 17, was selected in the draw held at Dubai International Airport on Wednesday.
Labaki had previously won $1 million in August 2018 and also secured a BMW 745Li through the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise promotion in August 2004, making his latest win his third major prize.
Speaking to Khaleej Times from his home in Beirut, Labaki said he was having coffee with his sister when he received the winning call. He immediately recognised the Dubai Duty Free representative on the phone and realised he had won again.
“The person who called me was the same person I knew from the last time,” he said. “When he asked me about my ticket number, I knew that I had won.”
His sister was the first to hear the news, followed by his wife and three children, who joined in the celebrations.
“Everybody is happy, and they all want to come with me for the celebration,” he said.
Could not invest first win
Labaki said his first $1 million prize was transferred to Beirut, but he was later unable to use the money as intended.
“I transferred the first $1 million to Beirut, but I could not invest it and I lost it,” he said.
The experience has influenced how he plans to manage his latest winnings. Labaki said he intends to keep the money in Dubai, invest in the city and potentially use part of it to purchase a home.
“I will keep it in Dubai and invest in Dubai. Maybe I will buy a house, and I am also planning to open a business in the safest city, which is Dubai according to me,” he said.
The Lebanese construction business owner is considering launching a similar venture in the UAE. He said relocating to Dubai had already been a possibility before his latest win, but the prize has now made those plans more achievable for him and his family.
“I love Dubai, and my family loves Dubai as well. For me, it is the best place in the world. It is 100 per cent safe,” he said.
Buying tickets since 2004
Labaki has been participating in Dubai Duty Free promotions for more than two decades. He bought his first ticket in 2004 while passing through Dubai International Airport.
He recalled being in a hurry when he purchased the ticket and not expecting anything from it. After arriving in Beirut, he received a call the following day informing him that he had won a BMW.
“I was at Dubai airport and bought a ticket while I was in a hurry,” he said. “I reached Beirut, and the next day they called me and told me that I had won the BMW.”
After Dubai Duty Free introduced the $1 million Millennium Millionaire promotion, Labaki continued entering the draw, although he said he usually participated only two or three times a year.
“I always participate because I trust Dubai and I trust Dubai Duty Free,” he said.
After becoming a winner for the third time, Labaki said he plans to take part more regularly.
“I will continue buying tickets. Maybe now I will buy every month.”
‘Dubai gave me the world’
Labaki said he always believed he could win again through Dubai.
“I love Dubai, and I knew that I would win again, because the city gives a lot to people,” he said.
He plans to visit the UAE with his family to celebrate the win and explore investment opportunities as he begins a new chapter.
Asked about the most emotional moment when he returns to Dubai after his latest victory, Labaki said it would be returning to the place that changed his life three times.
“Dubai Duty Free gave me the world,” he said.
