A year after winning AED 100 million with The UAE Lottery, Anilkumar Bolla says the biggest reward has been the opportunity to spend more time with the people who matter most. Beyond the incredible win itself, the past year has given him greater freedom, new experiences, and more time to put his family first.
Since his win, Anilkumar has supported his family, bought property in the UAE and India, travelled, and begun seriously considering his own business ambitions.
A year later, he says one thing matters more than anything else: “The most important thing is that I’m spending quality time with my family.”
Family came first
Among Anilkumar’s first priorities was buying his mother a gold necklace, several rings, and bangles as a heartfelt gift. “It was her dream to have a few ornaments, so I brought it all together and gifted it to her,” he said. The gesture brought tears of joy to his mother’s eyes.
The family continues to live in the same house in India, which Anilkumar describes as his father’s dream home. He found another way to support one of his father’s interests, gifting him farmland where he can pursue his passion for organic farming.
“My happiness is always linked to my family,” he said. “Whatever I’ve done for them, those things are really special to me, and those are the things that make me the happiest, more than what I do for myself,” he said.
From celebration to long-term planning
As the year progressed, Anilkumar’s attention turned towards the future.
He has bought property in both the UAE and India as part of a longer-term approach to managing his prize. He has also begun exploring other ventures and potential business opportunities.
The UAE remains central to those plans. Anilkumar sees himself continuing to build his future here, while also maintaining close ties with India. “There are some dreams which I have fulfilled, and there are some I have to work on in the future,” he said.
Anilkumar’s experience over the past year also reflects a message he has returned to since winning: receiving a major prize can bring new possibilities, but managing those possibilities requires thought and discipline. His voice echoes the core message of The UAE Lottery in ensuring players stay responsible and within limits during their playtime.
A year of new experiences
In the past 12 months, Anilkumar has also made time to travel and enjoy new adventures with friends and family. While he has embraced those opportunities, he says the excitement surrounding the win itself has naturally settled over time. “Somehow, the excitement has faded away, but I’m really grateful for the opportunities I’m getting and the things I’m doing,” he said.
When asked to sum up the year in a single word, Anilkumar chose “transformative.” “Winning the lottery reshaped my life and my ambitions as well,” he said. The experience has also brought an unexpected degree of recognition, with people occasionally approaching him after recognizing him as The UAE Lottery’s AED 100 million winner. But one year later, his focus is on what comes next, rather than the lottery win that brought him into the public eye.
Upon being asked what message he would pass to winners of big prizes, he said: “Welcome to the millionaire’s club. Stay humble, and spend your money in a disciplined way.”
The UAE Lottery’s Lucky Day Draw continues to create such moments for players across the country, with a fresh AED 30 million Grand Prize and AED 5 million Second Prize every Wednesday and Saturday. The UAE Lottery is committed to responsible gaming, ensuring a safe, transparent, and regulated experience for all participants. Participation is strictly prohibited for anyone under the age of 18. All games are fully regulated by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA).
Tickets for upcoming Lucky Day Draws are available at www.theuaelottery.ae
