An Indian banker living in Dubai has become the newest dollar millionaire in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw, winning $1 million with ticket number 2242 in Series 522.
For Atul Rao, who has divided his time between the UAE and Oman since 1998, the win feels unreal. “When I got the call, I thought it was a prank. With so many spam emails and messages nowadays, it was hard to believe,” said Rao, a bank professional. “It only hit me when I checked the Dubai Duty Free website myself.”
The Mumbai-native purchased his winning ticket on his birthday, about two and a half weeks prior to the draw, during a transit at Dubai International Airport. He was en route to Bali for a friend’s wedding when he decided to try his luck yet again, something he has been doing religiously for over ten years.
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“I’ve been buying Dubai Duty Free tickets since 2012,” he explained. “Every time I travel, I purchase at least three tickets, one each for the bike, car, and millionaire draws. I always tell myself, maybe this will be the one. This time, it finally was.”
He estimates spending nearly Dh50,000 on tickets throughout the years. “I remember my very first ticket in 2012, I was sure I would win,” he said. “But I never lost hope. I always looked forward to my next trip to buy another one.”
Upon learning of his win, he felt overwhelmed with gratitude. “It wasn’t an ordinary day, and it quickly became busy after realizing my win,” said Rao. “I am thankful and blessed.”
Rao plans to allocate part of his winnings to charity and smart investments, while also considering buying property again. “I previously owned property in Dubai but sold it. Now, I might invest in one again,” he said. “I’ll ensure the money is used wisely, with a portion going to good causes.”
Celebrations are in full swing at home. “The mood is pure joy,” Rao shared. “My wife, a special educator, is thrilled. My daughter works here, and my son is studying in Canada. We’re planning a family holiday soon.”
Despite the windfall, Rao intends to keep participating in the draw. “I’ll surely keep buying tickets,” he stated. “There’s also a bike draw I’ve entered, who knows, maybe I’ll win that next. I was even joking with a friend about it before this draw.”
“Dubai Duty Free has transformed my life,” he added. “This win proves that patience pays off.”
