Anna Lee Gayongan, a 38-year-old Filipino expatriate living in Dubai, has kicked off 2026 with what many would call an unimaginable stroke of luck: she is the sole winner of the Dh30 million Big Ticket jackpot in the first major draw of the year. Gayongan clinched the Dh30 million Big Ticket Jackpot – roughly PHP 484 million or nearly $8.2 million USD) during the Series 282 live draw in Abu Dhabi on January 3, 2026, a life-changing event she initially didn’t even realize had occurred until after the draw broadcast had concluded.
From years of steady effort in the UAE to an unexpected jackpot triumph, her story is both inspiring and deeply human — the tale of a dedicated expat whose patience and quiet hope paid off in the most extraordinary way.
Dh30 Million Big Ticket Jackpot: How It Happened
Gayongan, who has lived in the UAE for nearly 15 years, bought her winning Big Ticket entry on December 21, 2025, under a Buy 2, Get 1 Free promotion offered by the raffle operator. The winning ticket number – 074090 – was drawn on January 3 and announced live during the Abu Dhabi broadcast, instantly transforming her life.
Interestingly, when the draw was happening, she was unaware that she was even the winner. She missed several calls from the Big Ticket team during the live announcement — because she was with her child and didn’t answer — and only realized something was amiss when she later found nine missed calls on her phone. Only then did the reality of winning truly hit.
Before this moment, Anna had been buying Big Ticket entries for several years, often pooling purchases with friends and colleagues. On this occasion she bought her ticket independently — and, in a twist of fate, the free promotional ticket she received as part of the offer turned out to be the winning one, something even she finds remarkable.
Throughout the UAE lottery world — which includes other mega draws like Dubai Duty Free’s Millennium Millionaire — Big Ticket has become one of the most popular and eagerly watched raffles, especially among long-time expats dreaming of a break from financial stress or routine.
Life Before and After the Win: A Personal Journey
Gayongan works as a senior account executive in Dubai — a position she’s held for years while balancing the demands of daily life in a foreign city and raising her family. Before her win, she described the routine commute from Dubai to Abu Dhabi as especially tiring but part of the normality she embraced as an expatriate striving for stability.
Her reaction to winning was a blend of disbelief and overwhelming emotion. She initially suspected the call confirming her victory might be a scam — an understandable reaction given the improbability of such a win. “My mind went blank,” she said after finally accepting the reality.
Despite the life-changing jackpot, Gayongan has expressed a grounded perspective on her future. While concrete plans are still being considered, she and her family are leaning toward investing in property in the UAE, a testament to her commitment to long-term stability rather than short-term splurges. She also joked about finally leaving behind long bus commutes and potentially taking her family on international holidays.
Her win carries profound significance back home as well. Originally from a humble background in the Philippines, Gayongan grew up in a family where financial security was not guaranteed. Her mother worked as a street vendor to support the family, and Anna’s journey to higher education was shaped by financial limitations. That context makes her transition to a multimillionaire overnight all the more poignant.
While she plans to maintain her professional responsibilities for now, her win is certain to change her life’s trajectory — offering not just financial freedom, but the opportunity to chart a future with more options, more stability, and more support for her loved ones.
Big Ticket operators continue to promote upcoming draws throughout January 2026, with additional cash prizes and luxury vehicle contests, making the early months of the year particularly exciting for lottery hopefuls across the UAE.
What This Win Means for the Dh30 Million Big Ticket Jackpot Community
Anna Lee Gayongan’s remarkable victory isn’t just about a single lucky number — it’s a powerful reminder of why raffles like Big Ticket attract huge followings among expatriate communities in the UAE. For many, the draw represents a chance to break free from financial limitations, pursue dreams deferred by circumstance, or create opportunities that once seemed out of reach.
The psychology of lottery participation among expats is rooted in both hope and resilience — stories like Gayongan’s serve as both inspiration and caution: while probability is low, the potential payoff can indeed reshape a life when luck and timing align.
Although she hasn’t committed to participating in future Big Ticket draws, Gayongan’s story will undoubtedly encourage others to try their luck, fostering a renewed energy around these monthly and seasonal draws across the Emirates.
Conclusion: A Life Transformed but a Life Still Rooted in Responsibility
Anna Lee Gayongan’s Dh30 Million Big Ticket Jackpot win is more than a headline — it’s a human story of perseverance, modest living, and unexpected fortune. What makes her story stand out is not just the money, but her grounded response to it: plans for wise investment, continued work ethic, and a desire to uplift her family rather than to surrender to excess.
Her journey reminds us that behind every lottery jackpot is a real person with real hopes, and that sometimes, just sometimes, those hopes come true in the most spectacular way. For the Dh30 Million winner herself, this dawn of 2026 will be remembered not for the routine of daily life — but as the moment everything changed.
