Protests27 October, 20252 min read
Indian Expat Anilkumar Bolla Wins Record Dh100 Million UAE Lottery Jackpot
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Anilkumar Bolla, a 29-year-old Indian expat in Abu Dhabi, won the Dh100 million UAE Lottery jackpot. He matched all 7 winning numbers, beating odds of 1 in 8,835,372 in the October 18 draw.
6 outlets told this the same way.
Record UAE Lottery Jackpot Win
Indian expatriate Anilkumar Bolla, 29, living in Abu Dhabi, won the UAE Lottery’s Dh100 million jackpot in the 23rd Lucky Day Draw on October 18 after matching all seven numbers. This win is unprecedented and record-setting, with odds around 1 in 8.8 million. Asian media outlets describe the scale of the prize in various ways: Mint calls it “record-breaking,” while Hindustan Times says it is the “first-ever” and the largest prize in the country’s history.
“Anilkumar Bolla, a 29-year-old Indian expatriate living in Abu Dhabi, has won the UAE Lottery’s record-breaking Dh100 million (over ₹240 crore) jackpot in the 23rd Lucky Day Draw held on October 18.”
West Asian outlets Khaleej Times and Gulf News describe it as the UAE’s “largest-ever” and a “historic” Dh100 million prize. Mint further reports that Anilkumar Bolla will take home the entire prize as it was not shared.
Profile and Lottery Participation
Biographical and identity details vary across outlets. Hindustan Times (Asian) uses the fuller name “Anilkumar Bolla Madhavrao Bolla” and says he has been in the UAE about 1.5 years. Gulf News (West Asian) similarly states he’s lived in Abu Dhabi for 1.5 years and clarifies he is not from Kerala.
By contrast, Khaleej Times (West Asian) calls him a “long-time resident” and a loyal participant since the lottery’s inception. Mint (Asian) simply identifies him as a 29-year-old Indian expatriate living in Abu Dhabi and a regular participant. On number selection, both Hindustan Times and Gulf News highlight that he used an Easy Pick and personally chose “11” to honor his mother’s birth month.
Media Coverage of Lottery Win
All outlets capture his shock and joy after the win, but they emphasize different post-win details. Mint (Asian) says he plans to invest wisely and dreams of buying a supercar, celebrating at a luxury resort or 7-star hotel, and spending time with family in the UAE. Gulf News (West Asian) highlights family priorities—bringing his parents to the UAE and honoring them—while also recounting the emotional story behind his numbers.
“Anilkumar, a regular lottery participant, expressed shock and joy upon winning and plans to invest the money wisely. He dreams of buying a supercar, celebrating at a luxury resort or 7-star hotel, and spending quality time with his family in the UAE.”
Khaleej Times (West Asian) adds the moment he learned of the win, saying he was at home relaxing when he received the life-changing call and felt completely shocked and overjoyed. Hindustan Times (Asian) underscores the UAE Lottery’s celebratory video and social media announcement of the life-changing event.
Lottery Odds and Number Selection
Coverage agrees that Bolla matched all seven winning numbers and beat steep odds, but the exact odds and details vary. Mint (Asian) reports the odds as "1 in 8.8 million." Khaleej Times (West Asian) specifies the odds as "1 in 8,835,372."
Gulf News (West Asian) states the odds as "over 8.8 million to one." Hindustan Times (Asian) mentions the odds as "over 1 in 8.8 million."
Only Hindustan Times and Gulf News explain how Bolla picked his numbers—using an Easy Pick and personally choosing "11" for his mother’s birth month. Mint and Khaleej Times do not provide details about his number selection.