The raffle culture in the UAE has seen a significant transformation over the years, offering life-changing prizes for minimal entry costs. From cash prizes to luxury cars and gold bars, raffles have become a popular and accessible way for residents and visitors to dream big.
The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) has been a major catalyst for this trend, popularizing raffles with extraordinary prizes. Platforms like Dream Dubai now make participation even easier, offering shopping cards starting at just Dh5. These cards give participants a chance to win prizes such as luxury cars, Dh3 million in cash, or 100 grams of gold, making it an enticing opportunity for many.
A Growing Trend
Sharjah resident Reema Khan, a first-time DSF participant, shared her excitement. “I bought several cards from Dream Dubai, and the surprising part is you can get a card for as little as Dh5,” she said. “The prizes on offer are incredible compared to the small amount spent.”
For long-time residents like Nadia Hashim, raffles have been a cherished tradition. “In the early days of DSF, raffle tickets cost Dh200, and people lined up for hours to buy them,” Hashim reminisced. “Now, they’re much more affordable, with packs of coupons available for just Dh10, making the experience even more exciting and accessible.”
Diverse Prizes and Discounts
The ENOC raffle, running from October 7 to January 12, offers prizes ranging from Dh10,000 to Dh100,000 and brand-new cars. Meanwhile, Dubai Duty Free (DDF) continues its iconic Millennium Millionaire promotion, offering US$1 million as the grand prize. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, DDF recently offered a 25% discount on tickets, selling out within hours.
Participants like Dubai resident Vinod CK, who has been entering raffles for over a decade, took advantage of the discount. “We pooled money and bought two tickets instead of one this year, thanks to the discount,” he said. Vinod remains hopeful that this year might be the one to bring him a life-changing win.
A Culture of Opportunity
The low entry cost and the high value of rewards make UAE raffles an enticing opportunity for many. Whether it’s winning a luxury car or millions in cash, these raffles have become a part of the country’s vibrant culture, offering participants a chance to turn small investments into dreams come true.
