The UAE's first lottery operation has been officially launched, with a Dh 100 million grand prize on offer ($27.2 million). The move marks a new milestone in the country's expansion toward a regulated entertainment and gaming industry, also set to include casino gaming at a later stage.
Tickets are now available for purchase on The UAE Lottery’s website, theuaelottery.ae. Players are required to be at least 18 years old and physically present in the country to participate. The lottery's inaugural live draw is scheduled for December 14.
In addition to the Dh 100 million jackpot that is part of the "Lucky Day" game, seven "Lucky Chance IDs" are guaranteed to win Dh 100,000 each, as announced by the lottery. Each entry costs Dh 50.
Depending on the numbers they match, participants can win Dh 100 million, Dh 1 million, Dh 100,000, Dh 1,000 or Dh 100. Participants can either select their own lottery numbers or use the ‘Easy Pick’ feature, which picks for them through a random number generator.
Players may also buy scratch cards for a chance to win up to Dh 1 million. Rates for these cards start from Dh 5, which offers the opportunity to win up to Dh 50,000. The draw's Dh 10 cards have a top prize of Dh 100,000; while the Dh 20 ones have Dh 300,000. Players can win Dh 1 million with cards prized at Dh 50.
Players must first create an account online to participate. Games are currently not available offline in stores, although the lottery operator previously said it hopes to introduce this option soon. The prizes are not currently subject to any taxes.
The UAE Lottery is managed by The Game LLC, an Abu Dhabi-based operator licensed by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in July of this year. Multiple gaming and lottery companies operated in the country prior to the GCGRA's establishment, although most of them suspended operations at the beginning of 2024 and applied for the UAE lottery license.
Bishop Woosley, director of Lottery Operations at The Game, said: “We aim to create exciting experiences while promoting responsible play. Following a rigorous GCGRA evaluation, our team remains committed to ensuring that all operations meet global standards, guaranteeing fairness and transparency from the draw process to the selection of winners."
At the time of awarding the lottery license to The Game, Jim Murren, chairman of the GCGRA, had said the move “not only marks the establishment of a disciplined world-class regulatory framework for lottery activities but also underscores our commitment to nurturing a secure and enriched commercial gaming environment in the UAE."
The establishment of a regulated lottery is one of several steps UAE authorities have taken in favor of commercial gaming. Also this year, Wynn Resorts secured the UAE’s first commercial gaming license for its Ras Al Khaimah casino resort project from the GCGRA.
The multi-billion-dollar Wynn Al Marjan Island resort will be located just 15 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport and 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport, and is scheduled to open in 2027.
https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2024/11/28/86858-uae-launches-first-regulated-lottery-operation-with-272m-grand-prize-on-offer