The United Arab Emirates broadcast its first lottery drawing April 18. The prize: 35 million dirhams, or $9.5 million.
The Emirates Loto is "the region’s first fatwa-approved, fully digital collectable scheme with an optional entry to a weekly live draw," according to the loto's website. In essence, a Sharia-compliant lottery system whereby people buy "collectables" — in this case cards that depict famous sites throughout the UAE — for a fee, and then have the option of entering into a drawing free of charge.
