An Iranian expat living in Dubai for two decades has won the grand prize of Dh10 million in the Abu Dhabi Big Ticket draw — and he is sharing the windfall with the friends who first encouraged him to buy a ticket.
Who Won the Abu Dhabi Big Ticket Series 263?
The winner is Hossein Ahmad Hashemi, an Iranian expat who has called Dubai home for the past 20 years. He was selected in the Series 263 draw, which took place on June 3, 2024 — the first major draw after Big Ticket resumed operations following a brief regulatory pause.
Hossein bought his winning ticket online. He had been participating in the same Big Ticket competition for five consecutive years, after friends recommended he try his luck. Since joining, he remained an active participant across multiple series.
Dh10 Million to Be Shared with Five Friends
Hossein will not be celebrating alone. His five friends — who originally told him about Big Ticket — will each become millionaires as the prize money is to be divided among all six of them.
When asked how he plans to spend the money, Hossein said he and his friends have yet to reach a final decision. The group is weighing two options: pool the funds to start a business venture, or simply split the earnings equally between them.
Winner's Advice: Never Give Up
On learning of his Dh10 million win, Hossein had a clear message for other Big Ticket participants.
"I am very, very happy for my winning," he said.
Asked what advice he would share with fellow ticket buyers, he was equally direct: "My advice is, never give up, keep on trying until you win. I have been buying for five years, yet I never lose hope."
Big Ticket Returns After Regulatory Pause
The Series 263 draw marked Big Ticket's return to full operations after a disruption of approximately one month. The Abu Dhabi lottery had paused in April 2024 in response to regulatory changes introduced by the UAE Gaming Regulatory Authority, which required a temporary break across several days before the draws could resume.
The June 3 result — a Dh10 million jackpot won by a long-time online participant — underlined the continued appeal of the Abu Dhabi Big Ticket for UAE residents and expats alike.
