Two Kerala-born Indian expatriates were transformed overnight after winning $1 million each in the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw, turning an ordinary day into one they will never forget.
Kabir Poovathingal is the lucky one. He has lived in Dubai for 22 years and lives there. A native of Kerala, Poovathingal won the Grand Prize on Millennium Millionaire Series 547 with the ticket number 3471 by buying it online on June 13.
Poovathingal, father of five, has been trying his luck in the Dubai Duty Free promotion for more than 12 years. That patience and persistence later paid off, and this is now one of the new dollar millionaires of UAE.
He said: “Thank you for this opportunity, Dubai Duty Free. It’s a life-changing experience. I would just like everyone to take this opportunity and try their luck. He was so happy after winning and he was so proud of it.”
And the celebrations didn’t stop there. Another Kerala resident, Mohammed Shibil Thayyil, also became an instant millionaire after winning Millennium Millionaire Series 548 with ticket number 4832, purchased online on June 18.
The 30-year-old moved to Dubai only in October 2022 and works for the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone. What made his story even more amazing was that he bought only his second Dubai Duty Free ticket—and it turned out to be worth $1 million.
Thayyil married only last month. Overwhelmed by the life-changing news, he said, “You have changed my life! This is the greatest news ever! Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free.”
With these recent wins, Poovathingal and Thayyil become the 278th and 279th Indian nationals to win the $1 million Millennium Millionaire prize since the promotion was launched in 1999. Indian nationals continue to be the biggest supporters of Dubai Duty Free lottery and buy the most tickets.
The celebration extended beyond the millionaire draw since Dubai Duty Free also announced the winners of its Finest Surprise promotion.
Among them was Kaushal Ved, a 39-year-old Indian from Muscat, Oman, who bought a Mercedes-Benz S500 after booking his ticket online from a hotel. Ved came to the event for the past five years and he always hoped the dedication would pay off.
"I had been buying tickets every month, usually Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise tickets. I never thought I would have the day when I would win, and now it has finally happened. I will definitely keep buying tickets and hope to win the $1 million next time," he said.
The final winner was Mahmoud Harissi, a 45-year-old Canadian national from Kuwait who won an Aprilia RSV4 1100 motorcycle. He bought his winning ticket at the airport on June 12 and got the prize on his third attempt.
Thanking Dubai Duty Free for the opportunity, Harissi thanked the transparent draw and encouraged others to participate.
The latest batch of winners once more shows why Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire promotion remains one of the most popular prize draws in the region. Two families from Kerala have made a lottery ticket a dream come true; it is indeed that luck can change everything.
