Five days before his 60th birthday, Indian expat in Sharjah wins Dh5 million in UAE Lottery
An Indian expatriate in Sharjah has described how he learned he had won Dh5 million in The UAE Lottery, five days before his 60th birthday. The winner has now been identified in full, and his plans for the prize include a Golden Visa, a world tour and a special reunion with his family.
The UAE Lottery on Monday named Kishore Pandurang Rao as the winner of the second prize in the draw held on Saturday, October 3. According to the operator, Rao first arrived in the UAE in 1993 and has considered it home for more than three decades.
Rao had two reasons to celebrate in the same week earlier this month: his 60th birthday on October 8 and the life-changing prize from the October 3 draw.
How the winning numbers matched
Rao matched all six numbers in the “Days” section of Lucky Day Draw No. 261003, securing the second prize. He missed the Dh30 million grand prize by one number because the Months number, 10, did not match his ticket.
His Dh50 ticket was bought on The UAE Lottery platform and generated using Easy Pick. The numbers were drawn live on a Saturday evening.
It is the latest second-prize win in the Lucky Day game since its nationwide rollout. Gulf News was the first to reveal his first name when the lottery identified him as Kishore R just hours after the draw.
From disbelief to a quiet celebration
Rao initially struggled to believe the news when he saw his name reported as a winner. He then checked his account and confirmed the result.
“I saw my name in the news, but I couldn’t believe it was me. Then I checked my account and realized it was true!” he said earlier.
He has now revealed that he kept the news to himself even after confirming the win. The first person he eventually told was his wife, who was very excited. The couple shared the news only with a very small circle while they took in what had happened.
Family, a Golden Visa and world travel
For Rao, family is now at the centre of what comes next. Having spent extended periods living apart from his family, he is looking forward to bringing his loved ones together in the UAE and spending more time with them.
“Especially my wife,” Rao said when asked who he most wanted to share the moment with. “Together, we share our ups and downs. Now this opportunity has come, so I have to share it with her, and with my children.”
The win also brings a long-held wish within reach. “I always hoped that one day I would get a Golden Visa. I kept thinking that one day I’d get one. Now I have a chance to apply for a Golden Visa, and that’s something I’d really like,” he said.
Rao, who has lived across Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi since 1993, also wants to see more of the world. “My goal is that I have to travel around the world,” he said. “I have to see those places with my wife, because she is fond of travelling as well.”
He is considering a number of longer-term plans for his family while taking his time to decide what comes next.
Responsible gaming
Amid the excitement, Rao stressed the importance of playing responsibly. “Everyone should know their own limits,” he said. “They should set a limit on how much they spend.”
The UAE Lottery said it remains committed to responsible gaming and a safe, transparent and regulated experience for all participants. All its games are regulated by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA).
