From patience to payday: Indian man wins Rs 8 crore lottery in Dubai after 24-year wait

From patience to payday: Indian man wins Rs 8 crore lottery in Dubai after 24-year wait

Mangalore Today News Network

Dubai, May 16, 2025: After more than two decades of unwavering hope and routine ticket purchases, a 69-year-old Indian man in Dubai has finally hit the jackpot—literally. TP Madathil Mohandas struck gold by winning a life-changing $1 million (over Rs 8 crore) in a Dubai Duty Free lottery.

According to Gulf News, Mohandas, who works as a purchase manager in Dubai, clinched the prize in the Millennium Millionaire Series 501. He had been buying tickets for 24 years, and on April 28, a ticket he purchased from Terminal 3 turned out to be the one that changed everything.

Originally from Kerala, Mohandas expressed heartfelt gratitude to Dubai Duty Free. His win marks a milestone—he’s the 250th person to become a millionaire through the draw, which has been running since 1999 and enjoys strong participation from Indian nationals.

While Mohandas’ story is remarkable, he’s not the only one defying the odds. Just days earlier, a 50-year-old man in Kentucky, USA, won a jaw-dropping Rs 1,400 crore in a lottery after spending just Rs 170 on a ticket. But in a bizarre twist, his celebration was cut short when he landed in jail shortly after the win.

The Dubai Duty Free Lottery, officially known as the Millennium Millionaire draw, is one of the most popular high-stakes lotteries in the world. Launched in 1999, it offers participants a chance to win $1 million with each draw, along with other luxury prizes like high-end cars and motorcycles.

What sets this lottery apart is its global accessibility—it’s open to individuals of all nationalities, not just UAE citizens or residents. Anyone aged 18 or above can purchase a ticket, either online through the official Dubai Duty Free website or in person at Dubai International Airport.

With only 5,000 tickets issued per draw, participants have relatively favorable odds compared to other major lotteries. Over the years, Indian nationals have featured prominently among the winners, with nearly 250 Indians having struck it rich through the lottery so far.