In the past 10 months, the UAE Lottery has seen impressive results, with over 600,000 users registered online. This success follows the launch of ticket sales at Adnoc gas stations in three Dubai locations.
A senior official noted that the game has significantly increased the wealth of many UAE residents. “We’ve celebrated three winners of Dh1 million, 168 winners of Dh100,000 through Lucky Day, Lucky Chance, and Scratch Cards, and over 247,119 total winners,” stated Bishop Woosley, Director of Lottery Operations at The Game, which manages the UAE Lottery.
He mentioned that expanding retail operations builds on this momentum, making tickets more “accessible” by positioning them in convenient spots. “Visiting a gas station is a routine part of daily life, whether heading to work or navigating the city,” he explained. “By introducing the UAE Lottery at three key ADNOC stations in Dubai, we ensure a presence in high-traffic areas, offering players a straightforward and seamless way to participate in the lottery.”
Selection of Locations
Bishop explained that the choice of gas station locations was based on several criteria. “Business Bay was an obvious choice due to its proximity to Downtown Dubai and DIFC, areas with numerous offices and corporate jobs,” he stated.
“Al Quoz allows us to reach players in busy industrial zones, while Jebel Ali offers a strategic location between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, providing a convenient stop for commuters. These three locations together create a robust and varied foundation to expand our presence and gain valuable insights.”
Last month, the UAE Lottery introduced four new scratch cards offering residents the chance to win up to Dh1 million, with tickets priced between Dh5 and Dh50. This complements other quick-win games launched to maintain engagement with UAE residents.
He added that even with new locations and games, their target audience remains unchanged. “The demographic remains consistent; the game is designed for players over 18 residing in the UAE,” he stated. “Including gas stations increases accessibility and appeals to those who prefer a physical, in-person experience, offering another convenient participation method alongside the digital platform.”
Responsible Gaming
He emphasized that preventing underage participation is vital to the company’s Responsible Gaming framework. “We have implemented strict controls and protocols at the Adnoc stations, with a well-trained team onsite,” he said. “We’ve also ensured signage is present at the stations to strictly enforce that participation in the UAE Lottery Retail Express is limited to players aged 18 and above.”
Monitoring player behavior has been a priority since the company’s launch. In a previous interview with Khaleej Times, a senior official stated that player behavior and interactions are closely monitored.
He noted that player protection is central to their operations. “Our long-term vision is to establish regional benchmarks for responsible gaming by continuously improving tools and support systems, prioritizing player welfare and education in alignment with UAE’s cultural values,” he said. “These efforts are further supported by GCGRA’s ongoing oversight of our operations, from approving operational controls to regular audits and comprehensive supervision.”
Expansion of Retail Operations
Bishop stated that this is the initial step in their “phased approach” to expanding retail operations, with plans to include larger dedicated formats.
“We have ambitious plans to enhance and diversify our channels, making tickets more accessible at everyday touchpoints,” he said. “There has always been strong demand from players for convenient access to lottery tickets. We stay attuned to trends and continually seek ways to evolve and improve our offerings.”
He noted that by introducing new games, the company makes participation “easier, more engaging, and seamless,” with further updates on additional retail formats to be announced soon.
