For the last two years, I recollect coming across a handful of expat winners in the weekly draws conducted by Bank Muscat. I was told the basic criteria to qualify for ‘Al Mazyona’ draw is that a person should have a ‘healthy balance’ in his/her account. I can understand that a majority of the middle class expats do maintain a thin balance, but what about those wealthy businessmen or professionals who have made Oman their second home for decades now. Why aren’t they winning either? I am flummoxed.

Meanwhile, things are looking much brighter with National Bank of Oman (NBO). An Indian expat has won NBO’s Al Kanz mega prize worth RO 50,000. Lucky chap!