A lucky cat named Milo and the shirt number of football star Cristiano Ronaldo played a part in the latest winners of the Mahzooz draw becoming millionaires.
Two Indian men scooped jackpots of Dh20 million and Dh1 million respectively – with the winner of the grand prize becoming only the second of 2023.
Despite their good fortune, both men said they had no immediate plans to give up work.
Dh20 million winner Sachin, 47, a technician from Mumbai, has been in Dubai for 25 years, and has played the Mahzooz draw every week since its inception.
The kitten was certainly lucky for me, and we have been giving it special treats since
Sachin,
Dh20 million jackpot winner
Sachin picked up a new kitten on the morning of his lucky win as company for his older cat, Cookie, while his children were staying with relatives in India for the summer.
After picking his lucky numbers and going to bed, he was not aware of his win until the next morning when he checked his emails. He then called his parents and children to pass on the exiting news.
“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I didn’t think it was real at first, it was only when I checked my Mahzooz account I realised I had won.
“The kitten was certainly lucky for me, and we have been giving it special treats since.
“The children’s education is a priority so this money will go to support that.”
Before his huge win in the 139th Mahzooz weekly draw, his biggest cash prize was Dh35.
“When my children come back from India after the summer, I’m sure they will have a lengthy wish list with them,” said Sachin, a father of three, whose surname was not disclosed by organisers for security reasons.
“It is too early to decide on giving up my work, there are no plans to retire yet.
“I am still digesting winning this big amount and there are lots of decisions to make, but we will have a mega party.”
Sachin said he would continue to enter the lucky draws and told others not to give up on their dreams.
“If you keep playing, there is always a chance you will win one day,” he said.
Since Mahzooz was launched, Dh164 million has been awarded to 105,000 winners from India.
In that time, the draw has created 20 millionaires from India, and 55 in total.
Gowtham, the latest Indian citizen to win the Dh1 million weekly raffle, had been playing the draw since February when he won the prize in Saturday night’s lucky numbers.
He picked the lucky number seven in homage to his favourite footballer – Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo. It was the only regular number he used in his weekly numbers, he said.
“I haven’t told my family yet, and I want to build them a new home,” said Gowtham, 27, a project engineer, whose surname was also not disclosed.
“It will be a nice phone call to have with them. I’ll be having a big party with my friends to celebrate, it is a huge amount of money.
“It will no doubt change my life but I want to continue working, I enjoy it.
“I told my manager at work and he said to keep playing the draw because I was clearly very lucky.
“I used seven as it was my lucky number, CR7 is special to me – I would like to go and watch Cristiano Ronaldo play in Saudi Arabia one day, it is a dream of mine.”
Advice on life-changing wins
Mahzooz updated its prize structure in March to guarantee one player each week would win Dh1 million ($272,000), while doubling the value of its top prize to Dh20 million.
Each week, winners are announced – holding a giant cheque – but to protect their privacy few details of individuals are released by Mahzooz.
“There is no history of security issues with our previous winners, but we like to keep their details private as some winners do not want to reveal their full names for potential issues back home,” said Suzan Kazzi, managing operator of Mahzooz.
“We proactively advise them on this as a preventive measure.
“Although we do not give professional advice, we tell the winners to take their time and get some proper financial advice to help them manage their money.
“It is not our business what they do with their money, but we advise them not to rush into any decisions they may later regret.
“It is a life-changing amount, and many people go on to build successful businesses as a result of their wins.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDamian%20Szifron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shailene%20Woodley%2C%20Ben%20Mendelsohn%2C%20Ralph%20Ineson%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
World Test Championship table
1 India 71 per cent
2 New Zealand 70 per cent
3 Australia 69.2 per cent
4 England 64.1 per cent
5 Pakistan 43.3 per cent
6 West Indies 33.3 per cent
7 South Africa 30 per cent
8 Sri Lanka 16.7 per cent
9 Bangladesh 0
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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.
England World Cup squad
Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
Brief scores:
Southampton 2
Armstrong 13', Soares 20'
Manchester United 2
Lukaku 33', Herrera 39'
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Points about the fast fashion industry Celine Hajjar wants everyone to know
- Fast fashion is responsible for up to 10 per cent of global carbon emissions
- Fast fashion is responsible for 24 per cent of the world's insecticides
- Synthetic fibres that make up the average garment can take hundreds of years to biodegrade
- Fast fashion labour workers make 80 per cent less than the required salary to live
- 27 million fast fashion workers worldwide suffer from work-related illnesses and diseases
- Hundreds of thousands of fast fashion labourers work without rights or protection and 80 per cent of them are women
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
