In a significant move to heighten excitement and frequency, the UAE Lottery has announced a major overhaul of its popular Lucky Day draw. The changes, effective from December 6, transform the game from a fortnightly event to a weekly spectacle, offering participants more regular shots at life-changing wealth.
Key Changes to the Lucky Day Format
The most noticeable shift is the new schedule. The Lucky Day draw will now take place every Saturday at 8:30 PM UAE time. Alongside this increased frequency, the prize structure has been recalibrated. The grand jackpot has been reset to a substantial Dh30 million. Perhaps even more enticing for many players is the enhancement of the second prize, which has received a significant boost to Dh5 million. Organisers state that these adjustments are designed to provide more frequent winning opportunities while maintaining the game's thrill.
New Prize Sharing Rules for Top Tiers
A critical update in the rules concerns how the top prizes are distributed if there are multiple winners. Under the new weekly system, both the Dh30 million grand prize and the Dh5 million second prize will be split equally among all winners who match the required numbers. This marks a change from the previous format where explicit sharing rules were primarily attached to a larger Dh100 million jackpot. Now, sharing applies clearly to the top two prize tiers.
The lower-tier prizes remain unchanged, offering guaranteed winning chances:
- Third Prize: Dh100,000
- Fourth Prize: Dh1,000
- Fifth Prize: Dh100
- Lucky Chance Raffle: Every ticket automatically enters a separate raffle where three guaranteed winners each receive Dh100,000 every Saturday.
Understanding the Dh5 Million Prize Split
The sharing principle for the second prize is a vital detail. The total prize fund of Dh5 million for this tier is fixed. If multiple players qualify, they will share this pool equally.
To win the second prize, a player must match all six numbers from the 'Days' section (1-31), regardless of the 'Months' number (1-12). For example, if two winning tickets match the six required numbers, each would receive Dh2.5 million. If five players qualify, each would get Dh1 million.
The odds of winning this newly boosted second prize are 1 in 803,216, making it a more accessible high-value target compared to the grand jackpot, which has odds of 1 in 8,835,372.
How to Play, Costs, and What to Expect
The fundamentals of playing remain the same. A single play costs Dh50. To win the jackpot, a player must match six "Days" numbers (1–31) plus one "Month" number (1–12). The odds for the top prize are unchanged at 1 in 8,835,372, despite the new weekly frequency.
Each ticket generates a unique Lucky Chance ID (format: two uppercase letters + seven digits), which enters the separate raffle for three Dh100,000 prizes each week. Winners are announced during the livestream and posted on the official lottery website.
In summary, players can now enjoy more frequent draws and a significantly better second prize. However, the top prize is lower than some previous jackpots and may be shared if there are other winners. The core odds for the jackpot remain similar, with the main differences lying in the frequency and the new prize distribution rules.
This revamp signals a clear strategic shift by the UAE Lottery towards providing more regular and substantial prize money, particularly rewarding those who come close to the jackpot. While the fivefold increase in the second prize is a major attraction, the new sharing rule adds a strategic element, prompting players to balance the dream of a solo, life-changing win against the possibility of sharing a still-massive pot.
