An Indian expatriate working at a mobile phone shop in Ajman has won $1 million in the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw, continuing a trend of Indian nationals dominating the long-running raffle.
This win highlights the excitement surrounding the 1 Million Dubai Duty Free Raffle, which has become a popular event among expatriates.
Subhash Madam, a 48-year-old resident of the UAE for 14 years, purchased the winning ticket online on September 12. His entry, number 2550, was selected in the series 517 draw held on Wednesday at Dubai International Airport.
“Thank you so much, Dubai Duty Free! I will never forget this day,” Madam said following the announcement. The father of one, originally from Kerala, had been participating in the promotion for two years.
The win marks a significant milestone, making Madam the 260th Indian national to claim the $1 million prize in the promotion’s history. Indian expatriates consistently form the largest cohort of participants and winners in the raffle.
The event also awarded luxury vehicles in the concurrent Finest Surprise draw. A Land Rover Defender was won by French national Pietra Stephane, while Syed Mohammed, a 31-year-old British marketing professional of Turkish origin, won an Indian Chief motorcycle on his first ticket purchase.
Another Dubai resident, Indian tailor Kunchu Moideen Madakkan, won a BMW S 1000 R motorcycle after six years of regular participation.
The recurring wins underscore the popularity of high-value raffles among the UAE’s large expatriate communities, particularly among South Asian residents, who view the tickets as a potential pathway to financial transformation. The Dubai Duty Free raffle has distributed over $1.4 billion in prizes since its inception.
