Journalism of Courage
An Indian expat has been announced as the winner of the first-ever Grand Prize of the UAE Lottery. Anilkumar Bolla, a 29-year-old from Andhra Pradesh, is the lucky winner of the grand prize of AED 100 million (around Rs 240 crore).
A resident of Abu Dhabi, Bolla added his name to the record books in the UAE Lottery’s 23rd Lucky Day Draw held on Saturday, October 18.
According to Bolla, he was home, relaxing when he received the life-changing call from the UAE Lottery.
A loyal participant since the lottery’s launch, he was completely shocked and overjoyed by the news, admitting he still can’t believe it happened. Bolla said he first shared the exciting news with a colleague before calling his brother back home in India.
“This win is beyond my wildest dreams,” said emotional Bolla. Recounting the event, he confirmed that he was absolutely stunned to learn that he won the AED 100,000,000 prize. “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.”
“This sum will change my life forever. I plan to buy a supercar first and treat myself to a month-long stay at a seven-star hotel. I will also take time to carefully plan how to invest this money wisely. My win is proof that hope and luck can align for anyone, especially when they least expect it,” he added.
What makes the jackpot win even sweeter is his lucky number. Bolla selected his winning numbers with a blend of chance and heartfelt meaning. His winning ticket combined an Easy Pick from the ”Days set” and the number 11 from the “Months set” to honour the month of his mother’s birthday, unknowingly sealing his fate as the first-ever AED 100,000,000 winner in The UAE Lottery’s history.
Since its launch, the UAE Lottery has awarded over 200 winners of AED 100,000, and more than 100,000 players have claimed prizes totalling over AED 147 million. This latest draw not only marks a personal victory for Bolla but a defining moment for the UAE’s growing lottery and gaming scene.
