Expat wins $1 million in lucky draw

In Dubai, the newly-minted ‘Lucky 10’ is finally enjoying the fruit of their labour when their ticket No. 1417 in Series 203 was drawn at today’s Dubai Duty Free’s Millennium Millionaire draw.

While there is officially only one winner, the cash prize has been shared by a group of excited colleagues.

The name on the winning ticket was Lijo Cherian Varkey, a 33-year-old Indian national who works for Dnata Airport Operations.

Varkey bought his first ever Millennium Millionaire ticket along with his nine colleagues.

The group agreed to split the profits equally, with future plans included everything from paying off mortgages to making investments.

Meanwhile, a presentation to the previous Millennium Millionaire winner took place directly after the draw when Tom Kuriakose was presented with a giant cheque for $1 million(BHD376,920) which he won in Series no. 202 with ticket no. 4442.

Kuriakose said: “I am delighted to accept my prize and as regular participant of the Millennium Millionaire Promotion I will continue to buy tickets in the hope of making it second time lucky.”

Another winner was announced today in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Promotion.

Khalid Imzeran, a 35-year-old Dutch national from the Netherlands was ecstatic when told that his ticket No.0650 won a Ducati Monster 821 Strip Special in Series. 268.

Imzeran commented that he has been buying motorbike tickets in the Finest Surprise Promotion for many years and expressed his gratitude to finally win this amazing surprise.

Photo Caption : Colm McLoughlin, Vice Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, presents the ceremonial cheque of $1 million to Tom Kuriakose winner in Series No. 202 with ticket No. 4442 (Supplied)