Anilkumar Bolla, Rs 240 crore UAE lottery winner who became a multi-millionaire says the biggest change in his life is being able to spend more time with family

Winning Dh100 million in a lottery could mean a new house, luxury purchases and a life of travel. For Indian expat Anilkumar Bolla, one of the biggest changes after his historic UAE Lottery win has been the chance to fulfil his parents’ dreams and spend more time with his family.

A year after winning the country’s largest lottery prize in October 2025, the Abu Dhabi-based IT professional says he has bought property in India and the UAE, gifted gold jewellery to his mother and farmland to his father, and started exploring business opportunities. Yet, as the initial excitement fades, he says the most valuable part of his windfall is the freedom it has given him.

“The most important thing is that I'm spending quality time with my family,” Bolla told Gulf News.

How Anilkumar Bolla won the Dh100 million UAE Lottery jackpot

Bolla made history on October 18, 2025, when he won the Dh100 million jackpot in the UAE Lottery’s Lucky Day Draw. At the time, he was 29 and had been living in the UAE for around 18 months.

Originally from Telangana, Bolla was working as an IT professional when he matched all seven winning numbers. According to Gulf News, the odds of winning were approximately one in 8.8 million.

He had purchased 12 tickets for the draw. One of his number selections, 11, held personal significance because it represented his mother’s birth month.

The win was a major turning point for someone who came from a farming family. A year later, Bolla describes the experience as “transformative”, saying it changed both his life and his ambitions.

Gold jewellery for his mother, farmland for his father

One of Bolla’s first priorities after winning was to fulfil a long-held wish of his mother. He bought her a gold necklace, several rings and bangles, turning her dream of owning gold ornaments into reality.

“It was her dream to have a few ornaments, so I brought it all together and gifted it to her,” he said. The gift brought tears of joy to her eyes.

He also chose to support his father’s interests. Rather than moving the family out of their existing home in India, Bolla kept it as it was, describing the house as his father’s dream home.

He bought farmland for his father, giving him the opportunity to pursue organic farming.

For Bolla, these purchases have carried a significance beyond their monetary value. He said his happiness remained closely connected to his family and that the things he had done for his parents brought him greater satisfaction than his personal purchases.

“My happiness is always linked to my family,” he said.

Property in India and the UAE, with business plans ahead

After addressing some of his family’s priorities, Bolla began thinking about the longer-term use of his winnings.

He bought property in both the UAE and India, according to Gulf News, and has started exploring potential business ventures. His plans continue to involve the UAE, where he expects to build his future, while 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.

His approach suggests a shift from the immediate excitement of winning towards decisions intended to shape his life over the coming years. However, the report does not specify the value of the properties he purchased, how much of the jackpot remains or which businesses he may pursue.

The excitement has faded, but new opportunities remain

The past year has also given Bolla opportunities to travel and enjoy new experiences with friends and family. He said the excitement surrounding his win had gradually settled, even as he remained grateful for the opportunities it had brought.

“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.

His unexpected public recognition has been another change. People sometimes approach him after recognising him as the winner of the UAE Lottery’s Dh100 million jackpot.

Despite the attention, Bolla says his focus is now on what comes next rather than on the win itself.

What advice does the Dh100 million winner have for others?

Bolla’s message to other big-prize winners centres on humility and careful spending.

“Welcome to the millionaire's club. Stay humble and spend your money in a disciplined way,” he said.

The UAE Lottery has also highlighted responsible participation and staying within limits while playing. Bolla’s experience shows how a major windfall can create opportunities to support family, acquire property and consider new ambitions, while leaving important questions about long-term financial management.

One year after matching seven numbers and winning Dh100 million, Bolla says the biggest change is not simply what he owns. It is the time and freedom he now has to spend with the people closest to him.