Filipina expat wins AED 5 million, becomes The UAE Lottery’s first female millionaire

DUBAI — Zenn Ariane Garceles, a 38-year-old Filipina expat who has lived in Dubai for 13 years, has become The UAE Lottery’s first female millionaire after winning an AED 5 million prize in its Lucky Day Draw, the lottery operator said.

The UAE Lottery said Garceles won the third AED 5 million prize in the Lucky Day Draw using an “Easy Pick” ticket, which the company described as numbers chosen at random. The company said Lucky Day Draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday and include an AED 30 million grand prize and an AED 5 million second prize, alongside other prize tiers.

According to the company, Garceles discovered the win after seeing on Instagram that someone had won AED 5 million and then logging into her account to check the winning numbers, where she received a message congratulating her on her prize. Garceles described the moment as “unforgettable.”

Garceles said she plans to prioritize family-related goals, including investing in her children’s education, exploring business opportunities, and buying her husband a car. “I can't really think of what I would buy for myself because I'm happy knowing that I can share it with my family,” she said.

The operator said all games are regulated by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) and that it is committed to responsible gaming. Tickets for Lucky Day Draws are available through the company’s website.