A Turkish expat's first purchase of a Big Ticket has turned him into a millionaire overnight.
Sam Heidaritorshizi, who moved to Dubai four years ago, was announced as Grand Prize winner, landing Dh15 million ($4.08 million) in the Series 249 raffle draw held in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Mr Heidaritorshizi, a managing director of a pharmaceutical company in Dubai, bought his winning ticket online during the buy-two-get-one-free promotion early last month.
He said he never expected to hit the jackpot despite regularly checking the Big Ticket website over the past week hoping to see his name.
When representatives tried to contact Mr Heidaritorshizi about his big win, his phone was engaged as he was flooded with congratulatory calls from his friends and family.
Second-prize winner, Emirati citizen Salim Albastaki, walked away with Dh1 million.
Mr Albastaki has been buying a raffle ticket for the past 15 years and is grateful for his first win. He said he would continue to purchase Big Tickets hoping to take home the grand prize someday.
The Big Ticket was established in 1992 with an initial first prize of Dh1 million, and is one of the most popular monthly raffles in the UAE. The next winner will be announced in April.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Brief scores:
Toss: Kerala Knights, opted to fielf
Pakhtoons 109-5 (10 ov)
Fletcher 32; Lamichhane 3-17
Kerala Knights 110-2 (7.5 ov)
Morgan 46 not out, Stirling 40