Most Recent 23 Passed Before The Dubai Draw Millionaire Struck It Rich.

When it comes to the newest Dubai Duty Free (DDF) Millennium Millionaire, patience really is a virtue. He eventually won the $1 million top prize on Wednesday, ringing in the new year with a winning note, having patiently waited for 23 years without becoming frustrated.

Gowda Ashok Gopal,59, claimed over the phone from Mumbai to Khaleej Times exclusively that he purchased the winning ticket number 3082 online on December20, the day of DDF’s 40th anniversary. “I’ve always bought a ticket on December 20th of each year,” he remarked.

Gopal, a 23-year Dubai resident, claimed to have been present when DDF made its debut in 1999. He remarked, “I was there among the first buyers of DDF tickets. There were no online purchases at that time, so you had to patiently stand in line to buy the tickets.” The individual in front of me ended up being the winner of the first draw as we were all waiting in a lengthy line.

Following the launch of the program in November 1999, Gopal became the 222nd Indian national to win a $1 million reward.