UAE Lotteries: Types, Eligibility & How Tourists and Expats Can Legally Play Big Raffles and Win Big Prizes

We all know that the UAE is well known for its luxury shopping, duty-free stores, souk markets & more. Another thing that gets a lot of attention is its high-profile lotteries and raffles, like the Dubai Duty Free draw and Abu Dhabi's Big Ticket, which offers life-changing prizes.

Despite the country's strict anti-gambling laws, which make casinos, betting, and unlicensed online platforms illegal, government-approved lotteries and lucky draws licensed by authorities like the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) are fully legal.

Participation rules vary largely, as tourists can often buy tickets for draws like Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire or Big Ticket Abu Dhabi without residency; some online platforms allow expats abroad to join depending on their home country's laws, while certain draws, such as the UAE National Lottery, are restricted to residents holding an Emirates ID and physically located in the country.

Types Of Lottery In UAE

1. Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire: It is one of the most famous of all; this draw lets you buy a ticket online or at the airport for a shot at $1 million. Open to everyone worldwide, including tourists.

2. Big Ticket Abu Dhabi: This UAE lottery is known for its massive jackpot prizes worth 10 million AED; anyone aged 18 or above can participate. Tickets are sold online and at Abu Dhabi airport.

3. Emirates Draw This digital lottery offers several formats, like MEGA7 and EASY6. Open to UAE residents and foreigners alike, and fully online.

4. UAE National Lottery: Launched in 2024, this one's exclusive to UAE residents. Participants need an Emirates ID and must be physically located in the UAE.

5. Bank-linked raffles & prize draws: Several UAE banks run promotional raffles for account holders. These are usually residents-only, tied to having a local bank account.

Rules Tourists and Non-Residents Must Follow

Even if you're eligible to join, there are some key things to remember before you participate in the UAE Lottery:
Only play via official websites or licensed sellers, never through third-party agents, as it may have risk.

• Age restrictions apply; for these UAE lotteries, the minimum age is usually 18.
• Check home country laws, as some nations restrict online lottery participation, even if the UAE allows it.
• Winnings may be taxed. While the UAE doesn't impose a tax on lottery wins, your home country might.
• Make sure to avoid scams If the site isn't listed on official channels like Dubai Duty Free or Big Ticket, don't trust it.

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