Dubai expat bags Dh5 million as UAE Lottery’s first female millionaire
Thirteen years of calling Dubai home just culminated in a life-changing moment for 38-year-old Zenn Ariane Garceles. The Filipina expat and former dental assistant has officially claimed the title of The UAE Lottery‘s first female millionaire after scooping the Dh5 million Second Prize in the Lucky Day Draw. Having met her husband and raised her children in the city, she views the emirate as the central anchor of her family’s story.
Building a future right here in Dubai
The win came down to a routine ticket purchase. Zenn has played The UAE Lottery since its early days, regularly entering the Lucky Day Draws and occasionally buying Scratch Cards. This time, she opted for an Easy Pick ticket, letting the system randomly assign her numbers rather than picking them manually.
Finding out she had won required a double-take. Zenn spotted an Instagram post mentioning a Dh5 million winner, which prompted her to log into her account. Instead of the usual dashboard, a congratulatory message confirmed her Second Prize win, a moment she described as unforgettable.
Her immediate instinct was to share the news with her inner circle. She placed a phone call to her father back in the Philippines, whom she now plans to bring over to Dubai for a family visit. Beyond family reunions, her prize money is earmarked for practical milestones: investing in her children’s education, exploring local business opportunities, and buying her husband a car. She admitted she has kept personal splurges on the back burner, preferring the satisfaction of sharing the windfall with those closest to her.
Long-term, the win brings her closer to a deeply personal milestone. She has always dreamed of owning a home in Dubai for her family, a goal that now sits within reach. Emphasizing financial caution, she noted that everyone should remain responsible with money and avoid overextending themselves.
The Lucky Day Draw holds games every Wednesday and Saturday, offering a Dh30 million Grand Prize alongside the Dh5 million Second Prize and various other tiers. All operations under the lottery are regulated by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, ensuring a transparent experience for participants.
The UAE Lottery continues its weekly draw schedule under the regulatory oversight of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority.
