Tickets Now on Sale From UAE First-Ever Lottery
The United Arab Emirates has entered a new era of entertainment with the launch of the UAE Lottery, the nation’s first licensed gambling operation. Residents can now legally participate in lottery games, with tickets available online ahead of the inaugural Lucky Day draw on December 14.
A Historic Milestone
For the first time in the UAE, adults aged 18 and over can legally gamble through a regulated system. Tickets for the Lucky Day draw are priced at AED 50 (£10.80/€12.90/$13.60), with a staggering AED 100 million jackpot awaiting one lucky winner. Additionally, seven guaranteed AED 100,000 prizes will be awarded to other participants.
Complementing the main draw, scratchcards priced between AED 5 and AED 50 are also available, offering prizes from AED 50,000 to AED 1 million. All tickets can be purchased exclusively online at www.theuaelottery.ae by residents physically located in the UAE.
The Game and Momentum
The UAE Lottery is operated by The Game, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based Momentum, which secured the license from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in July. Beating established operators like Emirates Draw and Mahzooz, The Game is now the sole entity running the UAE’s national lottery.
Momentum appointed Bishop Woosley, former director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, as director of UAE Lottery operations. Woosley emphasized the lottery’s mission to “inspire residents to dream big” while maintaining a commitment to responsible play and global standards.
How It Works
The Lucky Day lottery employs a unique format where participants select seven numbers: six from a range of 1 to 31 representing “lucky days” and one from 1 to 12 representing the “lucky month.” Bi-weekly live draws will be held every Saturday at 8:30 PM local time, beginning with the inaugural event in December.
Tickets not only provide entry to the main jackpot but also automatically include participants in the Lucky Chance draws. Winners will be notified via their registered accounts, and results will be posted on the official website.
Global Expertise
The UAE Lottery is powered by Smartplay International, a renowned lottery technology provider with expertise in managing some of the world’s largest lotteries. Its involvement ensures fairness and transparency in draw mechanics and winner selection, as affirmed by the GCGRA.
Expanding Entertainment Horizons
The launch of the UAE Lottery is part of a broader shift in the Emirates toward regulated gaming. It coincides with the ongoing development of the Wynn Al-Marjan Island resort in Ras Al-Khaimah, which will feature the UAE’s first casino upon its completion in 2027. Some speculate that the first ever UAE online casino may be launched during the same year as well.
While other global operators, including MGM Resorts, have expressed interest in entering the UAE market, GCGRA Chair Jim Murren emphasized that further licenses would only be issued over the next five to ten years, ensuring a measured approach to the sector’s growth.
A Dream Come True
The UAE Lottery marks a transformative moment for the country’s entertainment landscape, giving residents the chance to participate in life-changing games under strict regulatory oversight. With anticipation building for the December 14 draw, excitement is palpable as the nation takes its first steps into regulated gaming.
