Big Ticket hosts Richard Isaac and Bouchra deliver the good news to another winner. Photo: Abu Dhabi Big Ticket
Big Ticket hosts Richard Isaac and Bouchra deliver the good news to another winner. Photo: Abu Dhabi Big Ticket
Big Ticket hosts Richard Isaac and Bouchra deliver the good news to another winner. Photo: Abu Dhabi Big Ticket
Big Ticket hosts Richard Isaac and Bouchra deliver the good news to another winner. Photo: Abu Dhabi Big Ticket

Big Ticket winner: Turkish expat scoops Dh15m with his first purchase


Anjana Sankar
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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.

Sam Heidaritorshizi won Dh15 million after taking advantage of last month's buy-two-get-one-free promotion. Photo: Big Ticket
Sam Heidaritorshizi won Dh15 million after taking advantage of last month's buy-two-get-one-free promotion. Photo: Big Ticket

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.

Abu Dhabi Big Ticket winners: in pictures

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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

Updated: March 05, 2023, 10:29 AM`