A year after Dh100 million UAE Lottery win, Telangana’s Anilkumar Bolla says family time matters most

A year after he matched all seven numbers to win The UAE Lottery’s Dh100 million (roughly Rs 240 crore) grand prize, Telangana-born IT professional Anilkumar Bolla says the biggest change in his life is having more time for his family. Speaking in an update shared by the lottery operator around 22 October 2026, Bolla described the year as “transformative” and said he has used the money on homes, his parents and travel, while still eyeing new goals.

Bolla, who lives in Abu Dhabi, remains the only person to have won the Dh100 million Lucky Day grand prize, the largest lottery payout ever awarded in the UAE.

The record win

Bolla won the Lucky Day Draw held on 18 October 2025, with the winner announced publicly two days later. According to Gulf News, he had bought 12 tickets and picked the number 11 to honour his mother’s birth month, beating odds of about one in 8.8 million. He hails from a farming family in Khammam district, Telangana, Siasat reported, and had been living in Abu Dhabi for around 18 months when luck struck.

Where the money went

Bolla’s spending, as described in the reports, has centred on family and long-term assets:

• Property: He has bought homes in both the UAE and India. Siasat reported two properties, one in Abu Dhabi near the airport and another in Dubai near Dubai Marina.
• For his mother: Gold ornaments including a necklace, rings and bangles, which he said she had long wished for.
• For his father: Farmland so that he can pursue organic farming.
• Other purchases: Khaleej Times reported he bought cars for himself and his brother, while Siasat mentioned a new phone and a few watches.

Notably, his parents still live in the same family house in India, which he describes as his father’s dream home. He has also travelled with family and friends, with Siasat listing trips to Bali, Thailand and Amsterdam besides several visits to India.

Managing sudden wealth

Bolla told Siasat that the toughest part of the year was handling the expectations of people around him. He admitted to Gulf News that the initial excitement has faded, but said he remains grateful for the opportunities the win has opened up. He is occasionally recognised in public as the Dh100 million winner.

He is now exploring business ventures and intends to keep building his future in the UAE while staying closely connected to India. Among his personal goals for the next five years, he listed improving his health, getting married and starting a family.

His message to future big winners was simple: “Stay humble and spend your money in a disciplined way,” as quoted by Gulf News.

Why it matters

Bolla’s story has drawn wide interest in India, particularly in Telangana, given the lakhs of Indians working in the Gulf. The UAE Lottery, regulated by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), said his remarks support its responsible-play message. Participation is restricted to those aged 18 and above.

Sources

• Gulf News: UAE Lottery’s Dh100 million winner Anilkumar Bolla reveals how life changed one year after historic win
• European Gaming: AED 100m UAE Lottery winner reflects one year after jackpot
• Khaleej Times: UAE’s only Dh100 million lottery winner: What he bought with the jackpot one year later
• Siasat: Video: Telangana man reveals life after Rs 240 cr UAE lottery