63-year-old banker gifts 250g gold bar to his wife after lucky win in Abu Dhabi’s Big Ticket draw
A Sri Lankan banker working in Riyadh has struck gold — literally — after winning a 250-gram 24-karat gold bar in Big Ticket’s latest weekly electronic draw.
Mohamed Nalim, 63, bagged the prize with ticket number 173160, ending a seven-year streak of trying his luck — all thanks to a Pakistani friend who first introduced him to the famous Abu Dhabi-based Big Ticket draw.
“My friend used to purchase tickets regularly, and that’s how I first heard about Big Ticket,” Nalim said, recalling how the Pakistani acquaintance sparked his journey. “Together with him and another friend, I started buying tickets seven years ago.”
Persistence Pays Off
After years of participation, Nalim briefly stopped buying tickets — until Big Ticket’s YouTube ads caught his attention again.
“When I saw their new promotional offers like ‘buy two, get one free’, I decided to give it another go — this time on my own,” he explained.
The veteran banker, who has lived in Saudi Arabia for nearly two decades, described his reaction when he received the winning call.
“I was shocked and overjoyed. At first, I couldn’t believe it, but deep down I always felt I would win one day. You could say I manifested this,” he laughed.
A Gift for His Family
Nalim said he already knows exactly what he’ll do with his gold prize — gift it to his wife, who plans to turn it into jewellery for their daughter.
“My family is back home in Sri Lanka, and this win is really for them,” he said warmly.
The win has also inspired him to keep playing — and to motivate others around him.
“I’ll continue trying my luck with Big Ticket and encourage all my colleagues at the bank to do the same,” he added. “Big Ticket is doing a wonderful job by helping people, especially those in need.”
From Riyadh to Luck: A Story of Friendship and Fortune
Nalim’s story highlights how the Big Ticket draw connects people across borders, uniting communities from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, and the Gulf through stories of shared hope — and, sometimes, unexpected fortune.
He credits his Pakistani friend’s encouragement as the turning point that eventually led to his win.
“It started as just a fun thing we did together. I didn’t think it would actually happen,” Nalim said. “But here we are — and it’s all thanks to that friendly push.”
About Big Ticket
Founded in 1992, Big Ticket Abu Dhabi is one of the Gulf’s longest-running raffles, known for its multimillion-dirham cash prizes, luxury cars, and gold giveaways. The draw continues to attract participants from across Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Middle East, many of whom see it as a life-changing opportunity.
