Latest news with #Tycheros
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
‘70% happiness, 30% fear': Chennai retiree hits Rs 225 crore lottery in record-breaking Emirates Draw
What began as a string of taps on his phone — his eyes wide shut — turned into a life-changing moment for retired Indian engineer Sriram Rajagopalan. The Chennai-resident bagged one of the largest lottery prizes ever claimed by an Indian, bagging ₹225 crore (approx. $27 million, Dh100 million) in the Emirates Draw MEGA7 game, the lottery operator announced on Thursday night. Sriram, who returned to India after working in Saudi Arabia for over two decades, hadn't entered a draw in a while but decided to try his luck again. According to the company, Sriram matched the winning numbers on March 16. According to a press statement by Emirates Draw, Sriram tapped 'random numbers on his phone using a stylus with his eyes closed.' 'When I saw the results, I couldn't believe it. I replayed the draw video and even took a screenshot of the winning numbers,' he said in a statement, as quoted by Khaleej Times. The 2023 retiree described the moment as '70 per cent happiness, 30 per cent fear,' acknowledging the sheer magnitude of the ₹225 crore windfall. 'It's a huge amount. I've never managed anything like this before,' he said. 'But this win isn't just for me; it's a hope for my family, my children, and everyone reading. Every father dreams of securing their children's future — and now I can. This is a chance to build generational wealth.' Sriram was raised in a humble, middle-class household in Chennai before moving to Saudi Arabia in 1998, where he worked and raised two sons with his wife. After retiring in 2023, he returned to his hometown to settle into a quieter life — until this extraordinary twist of fate. While he hasn't revealed specific plans for the money, Sriram has already stated that a portion of his winnings will go to charity. 'I have bigger choices to make now compared to when I was a regular employee. So yes, it might change my life but not who I am,' according to Khaleej Times. The Emirates Draw, operated by Tycheros, had paused its UAE operations at the end of 2023 following new regulations introduced by the UAE's Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). After failing to secure the country's national lottery licence — now held by The Game LLC, operator of The UAE Lottery — the company shifted focus to global markets.
Khaleej Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dh100-million Emirates Draw lottery: Retired Indian engineer wins jackpot
A retired engineer based in India has won Emirates Draw's $27-million (Dh100 million) jackpot, the lottery operator announced late Thursday. Sriram Rajagopalan matched all seven numbers in the MEGA7 game, securing the largest individual prize in the draw's history. Owned and operated by Tycheros, Emirates Draw had paused its UAE operations at the end of 2023 following regulatory updates from the UAE's Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). The company subsequently shifted its focus to international markets. According to the company, Sriram matched the winning numbers on March 16. He tapped "random numbers on his phone using a stylus with his eyes closed", Emirates Draw said in a press statement. 'I didn't believe it at first. I replayed the draw video and even took a screenshot of the winning numbers,' he was quoted as saying. Raised in a humble, middle-class household, Sriram moved to Saudi Arabia in 1998, where he built a life abroad with his wife and raised two sons before returning home to Chennai after retiring in 2023. He had taken a break from playing but decided to try his luck again. Sriram described the winning moment as '70 per cent happiness, 30 per cent fear.' 'It's a huge amount. I've never managed anything like this before... This win isn't just for me; it's hope for my family, my children, and everyone reading. Every father dreams of securing their children's future—and now I can. This is a chance to build generational wealth.' While he hasn't revealed specific plans for the money, he said he intends to donate a portion to charity. 'I have bigger choices to make now compared to when I was a regular employee. So yes, it might change my life but not who I am.' Emirates Draw operated in the UAE for just over two years before ceasing operations, following an unsuccessful bid to obtain the sole national lottery licence, which was ultimately awarded to The Game, LLC, the operator of The UAE Lottery.
