The mystery winner of the UAE Lottery’s record-breaking Dh100 million jackpot has finally been revealed. The lucky winner is Anilkumar Bolla, a 29-year-old Indian expat and long-time Abu Dhabi resident, who has now become the UAE’s newest multimillionaire.
Anilkumar struck gold in the 23rd Lucky Day Draw #251018 held on October 18, according to the Khaleej Times. The jackpot was not shared, meaning Anilkumar will take home the entire Dh100 million — making it one of the biggest individual lottery wins in the UAE’s history. He matched all seven winning numbers, defying odds of 1 in 8.8 million.
Speaking to the media, Anilkumar shared his disbelief and joy upon receiving the life-changing call from the UAE Lottery team. “I was at home, relaxing, when they called. I was completely shocked and overjoyed. This win is beyond my wildest dreams. I kept asking them to repeat the message — it took time to sink in,” he said.
When asked about his plans for the massive prize, the Abu Dhabi resident said he intends to make wise investments and fulfil the dreams of his family. “I was just thinking about how to invest this amount in the right way. After winning, I felt like I have money — now I need to work on my thoughts in the right way. I want to do something big,” he said, adding that he hopes to buy a supercar and celebrate with his family at a luxury resort. “My mom and dad had very small dreams. I want to fulfil whatever dreams they have.”
Anilkumar’s win was part of a landmark night for the UAE Lottery, which also saw 10 other participants win Dh100,000 each. Since its launch, the UAE Lottery has created over 200 winners of Dh100,000 and distributed more than Dh147 million in total prizes to over one lakh players.
Scott Burton, Commercial Gaming Director of the UAE Lottery, congratulated Anilkumar on his historic win. “The Dh100,000,000 prize will not only change his life but also signify a remarkable milestone for The UAE Lottery, reinforcing our mission to uplift people’s lives while delivering exciting and responsible lottery experiences,” Burton said.
One of the most striking aspects of this win is that Anilkumar will receive the entire amount tax-free. The UAE does not impose income tax on lottery winnings. In contrast, if someone were to win ₹240 crore in India, the prize would be taxed at a flat 30%, plus a 15% surcharge and 4% Health and Education Cess — leaving the winner with roughly ₹154 crore after deductions.
For Anilkumar, however, the dream remains untaxed and unfiltered — a once-in-a-lifetime moment that turned a quiet day at home into a story the world is talking about.
