A resident of Costa Rica has claimed a major prize in an international lottery, marking a milestone for not only for him (understatement of 2025) but also for our country. Adan Jose Camacho Sanchez received $1 million in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw. The win came in Series 528 with ticket number 3884, which he bought online on December 17.
The draw took place on December 31, as part of Dubai Duty Free’s New Year celebrations. Sanchez is the first person from Costa Rica to win this prize since the promotion started in 1999. Officials announced the results during an event that also featured other million-dollar winners and luxury vehicle prizes.
Dubai Duty Free runs the Millennium Millionaire as a long-standing promotion, offering participants a chance at $1 million through ticket sales at the airport or online. Tickets cost $277 each and draws occur regularly. The organization has awarded millions to winners from various countries over the years.
Sanchez, who lives in Costa Rica, purchased his ticket from home, demonstrating how the online option opens the draw to people worldwide. At the time of the announcement, he could not be reached for a statement. This event highlights Costa Rica’s connection to global opportunities, even in unexpected areas like airport lotteries. While lotteries remain popular here through local options like the National Lottery, international wins like this one draw attention to broader participation.
The Dubai Duty Free draw on New Year’s Eve included three $1 million prizes in total. Besides Sanchez, an Indian national based in Bahrain and a Saudi national took home the other amounts. The event also awarded luxury cars, including a Mercedes Benz S500 and a BMW motorcycle.
For Sanchez, the prize is equivalent to about 520 million colones at current exchange rates. Winners receive the money tax-free, as per Dubai Duty Free rules. Costa Ricans interested in similar draws can buy tickets online through the official Dubai Duty Free site, though experts advise treating lotteries as entertainment rather than a financial plan. The odds of winning stay low, with thousands of tickets sold per series.
This win brings to an end a list of international successes for Costa Ricans in 2025 and serves as a reminder that chance can favor anyone, regardless of location.
