Dubai Resident Wins Big Ticket Prize After 25 Years: “After All Those Years, I Finally Got the Call!”
For 25 years, Chucri Helayel, a 57-year-old Lebanese marketing professional, has called Dubai home — and for nearly as long, he has been trying his luck in one of the UAE’s most famous raffles: the Big Ticket draw. This week, his perseverance finally paid off.
Helayel, who has been buying tickets for years, was overjoyed to learn he had won Dh50,000 in Big Ticket’s weekly e-draw — a reward that came after more than two decades of hopeful participation.
“When the host Richard called me live on the show, I couldn’t believe it,” he said, still sounding amazed. “At first, I thought it might be a scam. But once it was confirmed, I was completely overjoyed — it felt surreal after so many years of trying!”
A Dream 25 Years in the Making
Helayel moved to Dubai in the late 1990s to work in marketing and build a better future for his family. Like many long-time UAE residents, he soon became familiar with Big Ticket Abu Dhabi, one of the country’s most popular and long-running raffles. Over the years, he continued to buy tickets, driven by the excitement and possibility that one day his name might be called.
“I know about Big Ticket because I’ve been in Dubai for so long,” he said. “Every time I saw someone win, I thought — maybe next time, it will be me. So I kept trying.”
That persistence was finally rewarded when ticket number 401060 turned out to be a winner in the weekly draw.
From Skepticism to Celebration
Like many first-time winners, Helayel admits his first reaction was disbelief.
“Honestly, when I got the call, I hesitated. I’ve seen so many scam messages online that I wasn’t sure if it was real,” he recalled with a laugh. “But when the host confirmed it live, I was shocked — and then the excitement really hit me!”
Unlike many other participants who share tickets with friends, family, or colleagues, Helayel’s winning entry was bought solely by himself.
“I bought this ticket on my own. I didn’t expect anything, but I always hoped. It’s just something I’ve done every now and then, thinking one day, maybe I’ll get lucky,” he said.
What’s Next for the Winner?
While Dh50,000 is a significant win, Helayel says he hasn’t yet decided how to spend the prize money.
“I had plans for what I’d do if I ever won the grand prize — like many people, you always dream of what you’d do with millions,” he smiled. “But for now, I’ll take my time to decide. What’s certain is that I’ll keep trying my luck — you never know when life surprises you again.”
Big Ticket: A UAE Tradition of Hope
Launched in 1992 at Abu Dhabi International Airport, the Big Ticket draw has become an iconic part of UAE life, offering massive prizes ranging from luxury cars to multimillion-dirham jackpots. Over the years, it has transformed countless expats’ lives, with winners from across the UAE, India, Bangladesh, Lebanon, and beyond.
In September, a Bangladeshi expat in Sharjah won Dh20 million, while other participants have driven away with dream cars and gold bars.
A Message to Other Dreamers
Helayel says his story is a simple reminder of hope and persistence.
“My message to others is this — if you don’t take that step and buy a ticket, you’ll never know what you could win,” he said. “It took me 25 years, but it finally happened. So never stop believing.”