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From Dh200 to Dh5 tickets: How Dubai's raffle draws offer affordable chance to win big

Shop-and-win draws have evolved through the years, becoming more accessible to many who dream of being the next lucky winner

Raffles in the UAE have become more accessible for many residents. Now, one can try their luck in a draw by spending as little as Dh5.

Shop-and-win raffles are staples that come with retail promotions — and one of the most popular are those held during the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF). From gold bars and luxury cars to massive cash rewards, DSF has become synonymous with dreams coming true for many,

In the previous editions of DSF, however, one will have to shell out Dh200 to join the mega raffle draw. Now, a new platform — Dream Dubai — allows anyone to participate in draws by purchasing shopping cards starting at just Dh5. Among the prizes on offer are a luxury car, Dh3 million in cash, and 100g gold.

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Reema Khan, a resident of Al Nahda in Sharjah, has been a regular participant in luck contests across the UAE. However, this year marked her first time taking part in a shop-and-win DSF draw.

"I’ve heard so much about the amazing raffles during DSF, so I decided to try it this year," Khan shared. "At Dream Dubai, I bought several shopping cards of various amount, and the surprising part is one can get a card for as little as Dh5, which is such a small amount compared to the incredible prizes on offer,” said Khan.

Raffles through the years

For longtime UAE residents like Nadia Hashim, joining the DSF raffle draws has become an annual tradition for nearly two decades.

"I remember when the DSF raffle tickets cost Dh200 in the early days. Back then, they were sold inside Enoc petrol stations, and people would line up for hours just to buy one," said Hashim. “It was such an exciting and competitive atmosphere. Now, it’s so much more accessible.”

Raffle kits, she said, have become more affordable. "Now, you can buy a pack of raffle coupons for just Dh10, which includes three tickets and some vouchers. They’re available directly from petrol station attendants, which makes it super convenient. The variety and affordability of raffle options today make DSF even more exciting," she added.

The Enoc raffle, which runs from October 7 to January 12, offers a wide range of prizes. Seventy winners have so far taken home Dh10,000 each, while 30 participants are bound to bag Dh100,000, and four others will claim Dh50,000. Additionally, one lucky winner in November, December, and January will drive away in a brand-new car.

Discounts on tickets

Dubai resident Abdulla Hassan recalled when the Dubai Duty Free's (DDF) ‘Finest Surprise’ raffle tickets, which offered a chance to win luxury cars, could only be purchased by travellers in the airport lounges. "Back in the day, if anyone was travelling, friends would give them money and ask them to buy a ticket for them," said Hassan. "I remember that in the 1990s, a friend of mine won a Lexus, which he later sold for Dh300,000."

On December 20, 1999, DDF introduced its Millennium Millionaire promotion, offering a chance to win US$1 million. This promotion has become a staple, and the latest series of tickets sold out within hours, thanks to a special 25-per-cent discount in celebration of the event's 25th anniversary.

Many participants eagerly awaited the discounted ticket sales. One such participant, Vinod CK, who has been buying raffle tickets for over a decade, took advantage of the discount. "I've won big once, and for many years, I've been buying tickets for Dh1,000. Back in the day, we would pool money to buy one ticket," he said. "This year, we took advantage of the 25-per-cent discount on December 20, so instead of buying one ticket, we were able to get two for just Dh787 each, including VAT."

Vinod, like many others, remains an avid participant in DSF raffles, always hopeful that this year might be the one that brings him a life-changing prize.

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