Four Indian expats each win 200g gold bar in Big Ticket e-draw

Four Indian expatriates have each won a 200-gram, 24-karat gold bar in the third weekly electronic draw of the Big Ticket Abu Dhabi raffle, organisers said. The winners, all from India and living in the UAE and Bahrain, shared their joy and future plans after being notified of the prize.

The fourth and final e-draw for October is scheduled for Sunday, 1 November, covering tickets purchased between 22 and 31 October. That draw will be streamed live on the Big Ticket YouTube channel and website at 19:30 Gulf Standard Time.

Winners share their reactions

Jijoy Viswan, a 51-year-old from Kerala who has lived in Sharjah since 2007 and works in the contracting industry, said he was unaware of the e-draw when the Big Ticket team called. He checked the website to confirm and described the moment as unforgettable. Viswan purchased the winning ticket as part of a group of five to ten people and plans to share the prize with them, save the remainder, and support his wife and children in India. He has been buying tickets every month.

Aruna Krishnappa Kidiyoor, a 45-year-old office boy based in Bahrain for the past 23 years, won after participating regularly in the raffle with friends for four months. He said he had not yet decided how to use his share of the prize, still absorbing the excitement of an unexpected win.

Sharjah and Dubai residents among winners

Manisha Harshal Kasat, a 30-year-old freelancer originally from Mumbai, has lived in Sharjah for over a decade. She had taken part in Big Ticket for three years, buying tickets monthly and occasionally joining others. This time she entered on her own and won. Upon receiving the call, she described a mix of emotions and happiness. She has yet to decide how to spend the prize money.

Sadathulla Sharief, a 51-year-old civil engineer from Bangalore, has lived in Dubai for only the past year. He first encountered Big Ticket at the airport and has since continued to participate, buying tickets in store and online. He said he was extremely excited and could not believe his luck. He also has not decided how to use the prize.

The four winners encouraged others to keep trying. “Never lose hope. One day, you might just get lucky!” one of them said.

Grand prize draw on 3 November

A grand prize of Dh25 million will be up for grabs during the live draw on 3 November. On that day, five consolation prize winners will each receive a 200-gram, 24-karat gold bar. Anyone who purchased at least one Big Ticket during October may be selected as one of three Big Spin participants for the 3 November live draw. Those chosen will then take part in the Big Spin on 3 December, where each could win up to Dh1 million.

The 3 November live show will also feature the selection of a winner of a Range Rover Velar, while the Nissan Patrol will be given away on 3 December.