An Indian man residing in Abu Dhabi, Anilkumar Bolla, 29, has struck gold, winning the UAE Lottery's record-breaking Dh100 million (₹240 crore) jackpot. The win, which occurred in the 23rd Lucky Day Draw #251018 on October 18, has been described by Bolla as a day that "changed everything".
Bolla, who has been living in the UAE for the past one and a half years, became an instant multimillionaire after matching all seven winning numbers, overcoming staggering odds of 1 in 8.8 million. He was at home relaxing when he received the life-changing call from The UAE Lottery team. "This win is beyond my wildest dreams," Bolla said in an interview. "When I received a call from The UAE Lottery, I thought it was surreal. I kept asking them to repeat the message. It took time to sink in, and even today, I still can't believe my new reality". He first shared the exciting news with a colleague before calling his brother back home in India.
Bolla revealed that his mother played a significant role in his win. He strategically chose the number 11 from the "Months set" on his ticket to honor her birth month. "Those numbers were special to me," Bolla said. "I chose 11 for my mother. I had no idea it would become the key to this win". He had been a regular participant in the lottery since its launch and usually opts for the 'Easy Pick' option, which generates a random selection of numbers. On this occasion, he purchased 12 tickets.
When asked about his plans for the winnings, Bolla expressed his desire to invest the money wisely and do something significant. "After winning this amount, I felt like 'I have money'. Now, I need to work on my thoughts in the right way. And, I want to do something big," he stated. He also intends to treat himself to a supercar and a luxurious stay at a seven-star hotel. A major priority for Bolla is to bring his family to live with him in the UAE. He also plans to fulfill his parents' dreams. Bolla also expressed his intention to donate a portion of his winnings to charity.
Scott Burton, Commercial Gaming Director at The UAE Lottery, congratulated Anilkumar on his historic win. "The AED 100,000,000 prize will not only change his life but also signifies a remarkable milestone for The UAE Lottery, reinforcing our mission to uplift people's lives while delivering regulated, exciting, and fun lottery experiences," Burton said. He added that the growing number of participants reflects the genuine interest and trust players have in The UAE Lottery.
The UAE Lottery, operated by Game LLC, an Abu Dhabi-based operator licensed in July 2024, said it was a "historic milestone for the UAE's entertainment and gaming landscape". The lottery is open to UAE residents over the age of 18, with each ticket priced at Dh50. The live draws are conducted every Saturday. Along with Bolla's grand prize, the same draw saw 10 participants win Dh100,000 each.
Bolla's win comes at an auspicious time, just ahead of Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, symbolizing new beginnings, hope, and prosperity. "It feels like an exceptional blessing," Bolla said. "Winning on such an auspicious occasion makes it even more meaningful".
