Abu Dhabi's Big Ticket prize draw has confirmed it is resuming operations after pausing last month to comply with the UAE's gaming regulations.
The company confirmed it was operating as normal, with tickets on sale for the next prize draw on June 3.
Big Ticket put operations on hold in the UAE on April 1 in line with regulations from the newly established General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA).
Fellow operators Mahzooz and Emirates Draw had halted their services in January.
“The decision to temporarily pause operations earlier in April provided an opportunity for the business to assess and confirm its readiness to adhere to the evolving regulatory landscape set by the GCGRA for a safe and regulated commercial gaming environment,” the Big Ticket said on Thursday.
The National has contacted Big Ticket for further details.
The Big Ticket was established in 1992 and allowed players to purchase their tickets online or at Big Ticket counters at Abu Dhabi and Al Ain International Airport.
In September, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority was established in the UAE.
Article No 355 of UAE law considers all forms of gambling a criminal offence. Punishments could result in imprisonment, fines, or both. Some exceptions to prize draw laws in the UAE have meant that some companies authorised under the Ministry of Economy have been permitted to conduct raffles.
Prize draw companies across the UAE previously applied to become the country's sole operator, senior figures from the firms confirmed.
Both Mahzooz and Emirates Draw have registered their intent to run the national UAE prize draw, with one licence up for grabs.
The GCGRA has also been contacted for comment.
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The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.
According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.
In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
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The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
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4. The UAE's economy must continue to thrive and grow
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Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
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- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
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- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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