Australian wins $1m in Dubai Duty Free draw

DUBAI: An Australian national has joined the long list of US$1 million winners when the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws were held on Wednesday at Terminal 2 Departure of Dubai International Airport.

Eleanor Paterson, a 61-year-old Australian national living in Perth, became the latest dollar millionaire in Millennium Millionaire Series 343 with ticket number 0353, which she purchased online on 19th October.

A regular participant in the Dubai Duty Free promotion for 10 years now, Ms. Paterson considered number “3” as her lucky number that’s why she always chooses ticket with number 3 and religiously buys a ticket every 3 months.

“Thank you, Dubai, and Dubai Duty Free, my perseverance and lucky number has finally paid off,” she said.

Paterson is the 5th Australian national to have won US$1 million since the start of the Millennium Millionaire promotion in 1999.

The draw was conducted following social distancing by Dubai Duty Free’s Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Colm Mcloughlin, Ramesh Cidambi, Chief Operating Officer, Sinead El Sibai, Senior Vice President – Marketing and Mona Al Ali. Senior Vice President – Human Resources.

Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise draw for two luxury motorbikes was also conducted.

Shane Carroll, a 35-year-old Indian national based in Dubai, won a Moto Guzzi Eldorado (Rosso) with ticket number 0366 in Finest Surprise Series 430 which he purchased online on 27th October.

A resident of Dubai for 5 years now, Carroll works in a bank.

“Is this a coincidence or pure luck? I just told my wife that I will win today, and I received your call at the same time. I’m so happy and forever grateful to Dubai Duty Free.”

Meanwhile, Mrs. Alia Malakani, a 28-year-old Syrian national based Al Ain, won a Harley Davidson Sportster XL 1200C (Billiard Red/vivid Black) with ticket number 0650 in Finest Surprise Series 431, which she purchased online on 5th November.

A mother of one and a resident of Al Ain for 3 years now, Mrs. Malakani has been participating in the Dubai Duty Free promotion for a year now.