With just Dh2 left in his account, Filipino expat Amiel Gimenez Belza transformed his last dirhams into Dh25,000, becoming the inaugural grand prize winner of the UAE Lottery’s new Pick 4 game.
Living in the UAE for 11 years, Belza expressed how timely the win was for him and his wife. “Last year was tough, and we accumulated a lot of debt. This win feels like a blessing; it will really help us settle those debts,” said the paramedic.
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The story of his win is nearly as amazing as the prize itself. On the Pick 4 launch day, Belza noticed he had only Dh2 in his UAE Lottery account. He tried a smaller game, Color Prediction, costing Dh1, and won Dh6. With a balance of Dh7, he played Pick 4 using his wedding anniversary numbers, 12 and 18.
“That night, before bed, I checked my email and saw the subject: ‘CONGRATULATIONS.’ I was stunned! I showed my wife, and she was thrilled too,” he recalled. They have been married for 15 years.
Belza plans to keep playing but responsibly. “We’re aiming for the Dh100 million jackpot! If I win, as a Filipino, we’re planning to assist others back home,” he said.
