(from Oman Tribune, January 2nd, 1013. Here’s almost the identical article in the Oman Observer.)
There are no lotteries, scratch tickets, casinos or other forms of “official gambling” here in the Sultanate as it’s considered “haram” (“forbidden” in Arabic) in Islam, but there are ways around this…Shopping malls and banks often have “festivals” where people can win cars or huge cash prizes for shopping or service. Tomorrow bank muscat will announce the biggest jackpot prize to date (I believe) with 1,000,000 Omani rials (or about $2.6 million US).
Would you believe that I’m eligible for winning that prize? (Hope springs eternal!) You just need to maintain a minimum average balance of 1,000 rials. There is another bonus in that your chances of winning are multiplied by the number of years you’ve had an account with bank muscat. For example, because I’ve had an account with bank muscat for 5 years, my chances of winning are X5 of someone who just started an account this year. National Bank of Oman has a similar savings grand draw on January 10th!
So, are any of you readers in Oman eligible for the bank muscat or National Bank of Oman grand prizes? What would you do with one million rials?!
One more thought to add to give us a proper perspective: The truth is that any of us with a bank account, a job that provides income for our family and a roof over our heads has already won “a lottery of sorts” in that there are SO many less fortunate people out there that would long to have such great living conditions!
“Whatever we receive in the way of providence, has God’s blessing in it, and will do us good. Cares, troubles, and difficulties come with all property not
acquired in this way; but God’s blessing gives simple enjoyment, and levies no
tax upon the comfort.” (from Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible for Proverbs 10:22)
Andy in Oman 
I want joint the lottary
I have been maintaining an account with speciofied minimum balance in Duqm Branch. Unfortunately, whenever a list of winner I saw my branch is never seen. may be Bank Muscat has excluded Duqm Branch from the draw. This is not fair.
I have been maintaining an account with specified minimum balance in Duqm Branch. Unfortunately, whenever a list of winner I see, never find Duqm Branch in that. May be Bank Muscat has excluded Duqm Branch from the draw. This is not fair.
Supa Dupa,am from Poland.Don’t believe in such advertising, as you boy get mental sick if you trust national lotteries andbbanks.Do not keep money in bank even,what about to get excited by lottery.It is impossible, it is all set up,before it comes to play
!.