UAE Lottery Rules Explained: Dh30m Jackpot, Draw Days and How to Play

Last updated: 6 August 2026

The UAE Lottery is the country's first and only federally licensed lottery, operated by The Game LLC under a licence from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). Since launch in late 2024 the game has changed substantially: the jackpot was cut from Dh100 million to Dh30 million, draws now run twice a week, and the line-up includes rapid online games and petrol-station ticket sales. This is the current rulebook as of July 2026, separating what is officially confirmed from what is only reported.

Key takeaways

• The UAE Lottery is run by The Game LLC, the sole lottery licensee of the GCGRA, the UAE's only gaming regulator; no emirate issues its own lottery licences.
• Players must be 18 or older and physically inside the UAE; the licensed online casino platforms are 21 and over.
• Lucky Day costs Dh50 including 5 per cent VAT. The Dh30 million jackpot and Dh5 million second prize are split if more than one ticket wins.
• Draws run every Wednesday and Saturday at 9:30pm UAE time, with sales closing at 8pm on draw nights.
• Every ticket enters the Lucky Chance raffle, with three guaranteed winners of Dh50,000 each per draw.
• Quick 5 (from Dh2, a draw every two minutes, up to 550 times the entry) and Color Prediction (from Dh1, a result every minute, up to Dh60,000) sit alongside Pick 3, Pick 4 and scratch cards. Tickets are sold online and at three Dubai ADNOC stations.

Is the UAE Lottery legal?

Yes. The GCGRA awarded The Game LLC the UAE's first lottery licence on 28 July 2024, and a regulator warning on 9 December 2024 called it the country's sole lottery licence. The GCGRA is the federal authority for all commercial gaming; there are no emirate-level regulators, and any lottery operating without its licence is illegal. Our guide to spotting unlicensed gaming offers explains what to watch for, and our The Game LLC profile covers the operator.

Is the lottery legal in Dubai?

Yes. Dubai has no lottery of its own and no emirate-level gaming regulator; the GCGRA's federal licence covers every emirate, and The Game LLC's licence is the only lottery licence in the country. Any lottery operating without a GCGRA licence is illegal, as the regulator's 9 December 2024 warning states. Our UAE Lottery vs Big Ticket vs Dubai Duty Free comparison explains where the big duty-free raffles sit.

When did the UAE Lottery start?

The GCGRA awarded the licence on 28 July 2024, and ticket sales began in late 2024 as a fortnightly Saturday draw at 8:30pm. The December 2025 revamp cut the jackpot to Dh30 million and made the draw weekly; the twice-weekly Wednesday and Saturday format at 9:30pm was in place by April 2026, the best-sourced date given conflicting reports.

Who can play: age and location rules

The operator's official FAQ sets four conditions: players must be at least 18, physically located within the UAE, outside any restricted geographic areas set by the GCGRA, and natural persons who are not prohibited persons. Gulf News reports the same line: only UAE residents aged 18 and above can play, win and claim.

Note that the lottery's 18-and-over minimum is lower than the 21-and-over rule on the licensed online casino platforms, and that eligibility turns on physical presence rather than nationality, the question most visitors ask. Our guide to whether tourists can gamble in the UAE goes deeper.

Why does the UAE Lottery ask for location permission?

Because eligibility turns on physical presence. The operator's FAQ makes being located within the UAE a condition of play, so the site asks players to allow location access; play from outside the country is not permitted.

How to play the UAE Lottery: step by step

1. Register an account on the official UAE Lottery site. You must be 18 or over and physically inside the UAE, per the operator's FAQ.
2. Deposit funds. Deposits must come from a payment method in the account holder's own name.
3. Pick your numbers. For Lucky Day, choose six numbers from 1 to 31 in the Days section and one from 1 to 12 in the Months section. Quick 5 starts from Dh2, Color Prediction from Dh1, and scratch cards run from Dh5 to Dh50.
4. Watch the draw. Lucky Day draws run every Wednesday and Saturday at 9:30pm UAE time, with sales closing at 8pm on draw nights. Results are published online and in your player account.
5. Claim any prize. Wins up to AED 100,000 are claimed through the account; larger prizes require proof of identity and entitlement and must be claimed within 180 days of the draw.

How much is a UAE Lottery ticket?

A Lucky Day ticket costs Dh50 including 5 per cent VAT. Prices across the rest of the line-up: Quick 5 from Dh2, Color Prediction from Dh1, and digital scratch cards from Dh5 to Dh50.

Lucky Day: ticket price, numbers and prizes

Lucky Day is the flagship draw. A ticket costs Dh50 including 5 per cent VAT. Players pick six numbers from 1 to 31 in the "Days" section and one from 1 to 12 in the "Months" section; every ticket generates a Lucky Chance ID for the raffle. The prize structure since the 6 December 2025 revamp:

Prize — Match — Amount — Published odds

• Jackpot — 6 Days + Month — Dh30,000,000 — 1 in 8,835,372
• Second — 6 Days — Dh5,000,000 — 1 in 803,216
• Third — 5 Days + Month — Dh100,000 — 1 in 58,902
• Fourth — 5 Days, or 4 Days + Month — Dh1,000 — 1 in 1,437
• Fifth — Month number combinations — Dh100 — 1 in 12.1

The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 8,835,372, the Dh5 million second prize 1 in 803,216, and roughly 1 in 12 entries wins any prize.

The jackpot and second prize are split evenly among multiple winning tickets; each entry wins only its highest qualifying prize, though a Lucky Chance win can come on top. The raffle guarantees three winners of Dh50,000 each per draw, down from Dh100,000 at the December 2025 relaunch.

Older articles still quote the old game, so the change is worth spelling out: the final Dh100 million draw on 29 November 2025 had no winner, the jackpot became Dh30 million and the second prize rose from Dh1 million to Dh5 million. The matrix, price and odds stayed the same.

How is the Dh30 million jackpot paid out?

If more than one ticket matches all seven numbers, the Dh30 million is split evenly between the winning tickets, as is the Dh5 million second prize. Because the jackpot sits above the AED 100,000 threshold, winners cannot claim it through the account alone; they must provide proof of identity and entitlement.

• Per the operator's FAQ, claims are processed within 30 days of validation, and prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw.
• Withdrawals are paid to a UAE IBAN account in the player's own name, and customer funds are stated to sit in segregated accounts.

Draw schedule: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9:30pm

The live draw takes place every Wednesday and Saturday at 9:30pm UAE time, as the operator's how-to-play page confirms; ticket sales close at 8pm on draw nights. Our draw schedule guide tracks the upcoming draw dates.

The game launched in late 2024 as a fortnightly Saturday draw at 8:30pm, and the December 2025 revamp made it weekly. When the second weekly draw arrived is disputed. Gaming Intelligence reported in April 2026 that twice-weekly draws began that month, and Khaleej Times described the 1 July jackpot as the second since the twice-weekly format launched in April 2026. Gulf News, however, describes the Wednesday-and-Saturday format as running since the December 2025 revamp. No dated operator announcement settles it, so treat April 2026 as the best-sourced answer.

Quick 5, Color Prediction and the other games

Lucky Day is no longer the whole product. The current line-up:

• Quick 5, launched 13 February 2026: tickets from Dh2, a new draw every two minutes, five numbers from 1 to 11, wins up to 550 times the entry.
• Color Prediction, launched 15 September 2025: entries from Dh1, a result every minute, prizes up to Dh60,000.
• Pick 3 and Pick 4: daily number draws.
• Scratch cards: digital instant-win cards from Dh5 to Dh50, also sold at the retail locations below.

Where to buy tickets

Most play happens online. Since 25 August 2025 the lottery has also sold tickets in person through its Retail Express service at three ADNOC petrol stations in Dubai: 462 in Jebel Ali, 529 in Al Quoz and 535 in Business Bay, the lottery's first physical sales points. Our UAE Lottery retailers guide tracks any expansion.

The jackpot winners so far

Three grand prizes have been won. Anilkumar Bolla, a 29-year-old Indian expat in Abu Dhabi, won the only Dh100 million jackpot ever awarded, on 18 October 2025. Tayab Khan, a Nepalese resident of Abu Dhabi, became the first Dh30 million winner in draw 260527 on 27 May 2026, the Eid Al Adha draw. Sunil Kumar Sadasivan, a 52-year-old Indian maintenance technician in Abu Dhabi, won the second Dh30 million jackpot in draw 260701 on 1 July 2026, with numbers built from family birthdays. The first Dh5 million second prize fell on 14 February 2026. As of February 2026 the operator reported more than Dh165 million paid to over 800,000 winners across all games.

Where can I see the full UAE Lottery winners list?

We track every confirmed jackpot and second-prize winner, with dates, draw numbers and nationalities, in our UAE Lottery winners list.

Claiming prizes and withdrawals

Per the operator's FAQ: results are published online and in player accounts, and winners are notified by email and SMS. Prizes up to AED 100,000 are claimed through the account; larger prizes need proof of identity and entitlement. Claims are processed within 30 days of validation and must be made within 180 days of the draw. Deposits must be name-matched to the account holder, withdrawals go to UAE IBAN accounts in the player's name, and customer funds are stated to sit in segregated accounts.

Do you pay tax on UAE Lottery winnings?

Not in the UAE. The Ministry of Economy states that the country does not impose income tax on individuals, so there is no UAE tax deducted from a lottery prize.

Home-country rules are a separate question. When Anilkumar Bolla won the Dh100 million jackpot in October 2025, the Hindustan Times reported that an Indian winner's liability depends on residency status: no Indian tax for non-residents, but tax can apply to those classed as resident in India. Winners with tax ties outside the UAE should check the rules where they are tax resident.

Responsible gaming

The operator lists deposit limits, self-exclusion options and support services in its FAQ, and in February 2026 it secured World Lottery Association responsible gaming certification under GCGRA oversight. For the wider rulebook, see our explainer on responsible gaming rules in the UAE.

FAQ

Is the UAE Lottery legal? Yes. It is operated by The Game LLC, the sole lottery licensee of the GCGRA, the UAE's federal gaming regulator.

What is the UAE Lottery jackpot? Dh30 million since 6 December 2025. It was Dh100 million before that; the old jackpot was won once, in October 2025.

When are UAE Lottery draws? Every Wednesday and Saturday at 9:30pm UAE time. Ticket sales close at 8pm on draw nights.

How much is a UAE Lottery ticket? Dh50 including 5 per cent VAT for Lucky Day. Quick 5 starts at Dh2 and Color Prediction at Dh1.

How old do you have to be to play the UAE Lottery? Eighteen, and physically inside the UAE.

Can tourists play the UAE Lottery? The rules turn on physical presence rather than residency, though the FAQ also restricts play in certain areas. Our tourists guide has the detail.

What are the odds of winning the jackpot? 1 in 8,835,372 for the Dh30 million jackpot; about 1 in 12 for any Lucky Day prize.

Is the lottery legal in Dubai? Yes. The GCGRA's federal licence covers every emirate; there is no separate Dubai lottery, and The Game LLC holds the country's only lottery licence.

Do you pay tax on UAE Lottery winnings? Not in the UAE, which has no personal income tax. Your home country's rules may still apply, depending on where you are tax resident.

How long do I have to claim a prize? One hundred and eighty days from the draw date. Prizes above AED 100,000 require identity verification.

Further reading

• The Game LLC and the UAE's first lottery licence
• UAE Lottery retailers explained
• UAE Lottery draw 260718: winning numbers and odds
• UAE Lottery vs Big Ticket vs Dubai Duty Free
• Can tourists gamble in the UAE?
• What is legal in UAE gaming right now
• Responsible gaming rules in the UAE

Sources

• GCGRA, "Our Licensees": https://www.gcgra.gov.ae/en/licensing/our-licensees/
• GCGRA, "The GCGRA Awards License for UAE Lottery", 28 July 2024: https://www.gcgra.gov.ae/en/news/press-releases/july-2024-press-release-the-gcgra-awards-license-for-uae-lottery/
• GCGRA, "Warning Against Unlicensed Lottery and Gaming Operators", 9 December 2024: https://www.gcgra.gov.ae/en/news/press-releases/december-2024-press-release-gcgra-issues-warning-against-unlicensed-lottery-and-gaming-operators/
• The UAE Lottery, how-to-play page: https://www.theuaelottery.ae/how-to-play
• The UAE Lottery, official FAQ: https://theuaelottery-luckyday.ae/faqs.html
• Gulf News, "Dh30 million UAE Lottery announces new rules", December 2025: https://gulfnews.com/uae/dh30-million-uae-lottery-announces-new-rules-how-to-win-jackpot-when-to-split-prizes-1.500369957
• SiGMA, "UAE Lottery ends Dh100m era with new weekly Lucky Day", 2 December 2025: https://sigma.world/news/uae-lottery-ends-dh100m-era-with-weekly-dh30-million-lucky-draw/
• Gulf News, "UAE Lottery reveals first name of first Dh30 million grand prize winner", 28 May 2026: https://gulfnews.com/uae/uae-lottery-reveals-first-name-of-first-dh30-million-grand-prize-winner-on-eid-al-adha-2026-1.500555367
• Gulf News, "UAE Lottery reveals full identity of first Dh30 million winner Tayab", 2 June 2026: https://gulfnews.com/uae/uae-lottery-reveals-full-identity-of-first-dh30-million-winner-tayab-1.500560505
• Khaleej Times, "Second UAE Lottery winner hits Dh30 million jackpot", 1 July 2026: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/second-uae-lottery-winner-hits-dh30-million-jackpot
• Gulf News, "UAE Lottery's second Dh30 million winner Sunil Kumar Sadasivan", 13 July 2026: https://gulfnews.com/uae/uae-lotterys-second-dh30-million-winner-indian-expat-sunil-kumar-sadasivan-reveals-how-he-hit-the-jackpot-1.500606279
• Gulf News, "UAE Lottery launches new game Quick 5", 13 February 2026: https://gulfnews.com/uae/uae-lottery-launches-new-game-quick-5-win-550-times-entry-amount-starting-from-dh2-1.500441910
• Khaleej Times, "Tickets from Dh2: UAE Lottery launches new online game", 13 February 2026: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/tickets-from-dh2-uae-lottery-launches-new-online-game-with-chance-to-win-every-2-mins
• Gulf News, "UAE Lottery launches instant game Color Prediction", 15 September 2025: https://gulfnews.com/uae/uae-lottery-launches-instant-game-spend-from-dh1-win-up-to-dh60000-every-minute-1.500269987
• Gulf News, "UAE Lottery launches Retail Express with tickets at 3 Dubai petrol stations", 25 August 2025: https://gulfnews.com/uae/uae-lottery-launches-retail-express-with-tickets-at-3-dubai-petrol-stations-1.500244845
• Focus Gaming News, "UAE Lottery launches retail express pilot at Dubai petrol stations": https://focusgn.com/uae/uae-lottery-expands-into-retail-with-dubai-petrol-station-pilot
• Gulf News, "Who won the Dh100 million UAE Lottery jackpot", 27 October 2025: https://gulfnews.com/uae/who-won-the-dh100-million-uae-lottery-jackpot-the-secret-is-finally-out-1.500322705
• Gulf News, "UAE Lottery reveals first name of Dh5 million winner", 15 February 2026: https://gulfnews.com/uae/uae-lottery-reveals-first-name-of-dh5-million-winner-is-it-an-indian-expat-1.500443978
• Gulf News, "UAE Lottery secures global responsible gaming certification", 10 February 2026: https://gulfnews.com/uae/uae-lottery-secures-global-responsible-gaming-certification-milestone-1.500437873