The recent story of a 29-year-old Indian expatriate, Anilkumar Bolla Madhavrao Bolla, winning a record-breaking ₹240-crore lottery in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has stirred widespread curiosity and discussion. As news of his extraordinary luck spread, one question immediately captured public attention—will he have to pay taxes on this massive windfall, and if so, where? The answer, as it turns out, is not entirely straightforward and depends on his residential status for tax purposes and the laws governing international financial transfers.

Anilkumar Bolla, an Indian national residing in Abu Dhabi, hit the jackpot in the UAE’s Lucky Day Draw, securing a prize of 100 million dirhams, approximately ₹240 crore. This is the largest such prize ever awarded in the UAE, marking a new milestone in the country’s digital raffle system. The sheer size of the winnings has naturally led many to wonder about the tax implications in both the UAE and India, as well as the rules governing the transfer of such funds across borders.

To begin with, it is important to understand the tax system of the UAE. The country is known for its tax-free environment, one of the key attractions for the millions of expatriates who live and work there. The UAE does not impose personal income tax on individuals, and that extends to windfalls such as lottery winnings. Therefore, from the UAE government’s perspective, Bolla is entitled to receive the entire prize amount without any deductions. The entire sum will be credited to his bank account in Abu Dhabi, free of local taxation.

However, the situation becomes more complex when viewed from the lens of Indian tax law. In India, lottery winnings are classified as “income from other sources” under Section 115BB of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Such income is subject to a flat tax rate of 30 percent, irrespective of the individual’s overall income or tax slab. Additionally, winnings exceeding ₹1 crore attract a 15 percent surcharge on the tax amount, and a further 4 percent health and education cess is applied on the total tax liability. These combined levies can push the effective tax rate on large winnings close to 35 percent or more.

Whether or not Bolla will be liable to pay this Indian tax depends on his residential status under Indian tax law. The Income Tax Department of India distinguishes between residents and non-residents based on the duration of physical presence in India during a financial year. An individual is considered a resident for tax purposes if they have stayed in India for at least 182 days during the relevant financial year. Alternatively, a person who has been in India for at least 60 days in the financial year and for 365 days or more in the preceding four years will also be considered a resident. Anyone who does not meet either of these conditions qualifies as a Non-Resident Indian (NRI).

For NRIs, Indian tax law only applies to income that is earned or received in India. Global income—that is, income earned and retained outside the country—is not subject to Indian taxation. In contrast, for residents, the law is much broader. The Directorate of Income Tax explicitly states that “the total world income of a resident is liable to income tax in India, even if it is not received or brought into India.” This means that if Bolla were to qualify as a resident under these rules, he would be liable to pay tax on his UAE lottery winnings in India, regardless of whether the funds were physically transferred to India or not.

Reports, however, indicate that Bolla has been a long-term resident of Abu Dhabi, having lived there continuously for more than one and a half years. This duration clearly places him outside the 182-day or 60-day thresholds required for Indian residency, meaning he is considered an NRI for tax purposes. As an NRI, his lottery winnings in the UAE are not taxable in India. He will, therefore, be able to retain the entire amount in his UAE bank account without facing any Indian tax liability.

Yet, even though his tax burden is likely nil, another critical issue arises—can he legally transfer or bring the money to India? The answer, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), is a firm no. The Indian government prohibits the inward remittance of lottery or gambling winnings into India. FEMA regulations classify lottery income as a restricted or prohibited category for foreign exchange transactions, meaning that banks and financial institutions in India cannot legally process such transfers. Therefore, even if Bolla wanted to transfer the ₹240-crore jackpot to India, he would not be permitted to do so under existing rules.

To summarize the tax and regulatory framework, Bolla’s case can be broken down into four essential points. First, there are no taxes on lottery winnings in the UAE. Second, if the winner holds NRI status—as in Bolla’s case—no Indian tax applies. Third, if he were considered a resident, his global income, including lottery winnings abroad, would be taxable in India even if the funds were not brought into the country. Finally, under RBI and FEMA regulations, lottery winnings cannot be remitted to India at all, regardless of the winner’s tax status.

Beyond the financial and legal aspects, the story of the UAE lottery itself is equally noteworthy. The Lucky Day Draw represents a new national initiative to modernize the lottery system through digital participation. Participants purchase a ticket for 100 dirhams (roughly ₹2,200) and receive a unique multi-digit entry number. During each draw, a combination of winning numbers is selected at random, and participants who match all digits win the prize. The system has gained immense popularity among the UAE’s large expatriate population, who view it as a transparent and legitimate form of gaming entertainment.

The most recent draw, held on October 18, 2025, produced the historic 100 million dirham jackpot. The winning number sequence was 251018, and Anilkumar Bolla emerged as the sole participant whose ticket matched all seven digits exactly. The odds of winning this jackpot were reportedly one in 8.8 million, making his victory statistically extraordinary. It marked the first time in the UAE’s history that such a large amount was awarded to a single winner.

Speaking to the Times of India, Bolla expressed both excitement and disbelief at his newfound fortune. His immediate plans, he said, include buying a luxury supercar and treating himself to a month-long stay at a seven-star hotel. Looking further ahead, he hopes to bring his parents to the UAE and provide them with a more comfortable life. His story has since captured public imagination, both for the magnitude of his win and for the complex tax questions it raises for Indians living abroad.

In conclusion, while the ₹240-crore jackpot has made Anilkumar Bolla one of the most talked-about Indian expatriates in recent memory, his case also highlights the intricate intersection between residency, taxation, and foreign exchange law. For NRIs like him, the lack of taxation in the UAE and exemption from Indian taxes create a unique advantage—but India’s restrictions on remitting lottery winnings underscore the country’s strict regulatory stance on gambling-related income. Thus, even as Bolla enjoys his hard-won fortune abroad, the money will likely remain within the UAE’s banking system, beyond the reach of Indian tax authorities and financial channels.