What started as a small act of teamwork between friends has turned into a life-changing moment for a group of expats in the UAE.

The Dh25 million Big Ticket jackpot announced on July 3 wasn’t won by just one person, but by a group of 11 individuals from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh who had pooled their money and dreams for a chance at luck.

The news came to light during the August 3 Big Ticket live draw, when Mohammed Naser Balal, a 43-year-old Bangladeshi electrician and one of the 11 winners, made a guest appearance to pick the next lucky ticket.

Friendship Beyond Borders

Balal, who has been working in Abu Dhabi for 14 years and has spent the last 12 buying Big Ticket entries with quiet hope and unwavering faith, said the winning ticket was shared among a group of 11 friends, including one from Pakistan and another from India, who had all pooled in for a chance at luck.

Their dedication finally paid off last month. But there was a twist: when Balal’s number was drawn, he couldn’t be reached. His phone was on silent, and he was busy at work and completely unaware that his life had just changed forever.

August draw winners

Meanwhile, Sabuj Miah Amir Hossain Dewan, a Bangladeshi tailor living in Dubai, won a Dh20-million Big Ticket jackpot on his very first attempt in the latest draw. Dewan struwon the jackpot with ticket number 194560, which he purchased in July.

Another Bangladeshi expat, Parvez Hosen Anower Hossain, also had his moment of joy this month, winning a brand new Range Rover Velar.

What’s Coming Up

Big Ticket has now launched its August grand promotion, with the next live draw scheduled for September 3. One lucky winner will walk away with a Dh15-million grand prize.

That’s not all, on the same night, six additional winners will each receive Dh100,000 in consolation prizes.

More Chances to Win:

• Buy two or more cash tickets in a single transaction between August 1 and 25, and you might be invited to the live draw, where four lucky attendees will walk away with guaranteed cash prizes between Dh50,000 and Dh150,000.
• The four confirmed participants will be announced on September 1 on the Big Ticket website.

Car Lovers, Take Note

• A BMW M440i is also up for grabs; the winner will be revealed on September 3.
• Another Range Rover Velar will be given away during the October 3 draw.

 Tickets are available online or at Big Ticket counters in Zayed International Airport and Al Ain Airport.