Spain celebrated a record-breaking €2.77 billion payout in its annual Christmas lottery, known as “El Gordo” (The Fat One), on December 22nd. The lottery, established over 200 years ago and considered the world’s largest raffle, awarded 198 top prizes of €4 million each – a fivefold increase from the previous year. The unique system of distributing tickets widely across the country fueled the surge in winners, sparking jubilant scenes nationwide.
Spain erupted in celebration on December 22 as its annual Christmas lottery, known as “El Gordo” (The Fat One), distributed a record-breaking €2.77 billion in prizes. The massive payout, €70 million more than last year, sparked jubilant scenes across the country, with strangers embracing and revelers cheering both in public squares and in front of their televisions.
Founded over 200 years ago, the Spanish Christmas lottery is considered the oldest and largest raffle in the world. This year, the top prize, worth €4 million for a full ticket, was awarded 198 times – five times more than in 2023. The surge in winners is due to the lottery’s unique system: each of the 100,000 ticket numbers is printed and sold in increasing quantities to meet growing demand.
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The winning number, 79432, was drawn at precisely 10:44 a.m. local time at Madrid’s historic Teatro Real opera house, announced by two students from the San Ildefonso boarding school. “It’s here, ‘El Gordo’ is here!” exclaimed a commentator on RTVE, the state broadcaster that aired the multi-hour event live. The lottery has become a cultural phenomenon in Spain, with many families and communities pooling their resources to purchase shares in tickets.
Winners Include Those in Need
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According to media reports, the substantial winnings were distributed among lottery ticket holders in Madrid and several smaller towns in the León region, which had recently been devastated by wildfires. The town of La Bañeza, with a population of 10,000, was among those celebrating. Four young women from the town cheered on camera, having purchased winning tickets with their families. “We’ve been through a really tough time here, but now we’re celebrating!” one of them said joyfully.
The second prize, worth €1.25 million, was drawn just 15 minutes into the lottery. Jubilant crowds gathered outside the winning ticket vendor in Madrid’s Chueca neighborhood, which had sold all 198 shares of the winning number. “This is incredible, the buyers are mostly ordinary people from the neighborhood,” the vendor told RTVE.
Jesús Huerta, head of the Spanish Lottery Society, Loterias y Apuestas del Estado, said the lottery aims to redistribute wealth and alleviate social inequality, noting that many of the winners are people in need. The lottery’s social impact is a key part of its enduring appeal.
The Christmas Lottery as a Tradition
In Madrid, unemployed administrative worker Juan Manuel celebrated winning €20,000 for a tenth of a fourth-prize ticket. “I’m going to pay off debts and maybe take my first vacation with my wife in five years,” he told the German Press Agency (dpa).
Throughout its history, winners have often used their fortunes for the benefit of their communities. In 1928, Bernardo Cerezo funded the construction of a theater in Carmona after winning the lottery, while Ángel Oliván built a hospital and school in Calahorra in 1932.
The Christmas lottery is more than just a game of chance in Spain; it’s a deeply ingrained tradition. Many of the approximately 400 lucky ticket holders who secured a place at the Teatro Real attended the drawing in costume, with some dressed as Santa Claus, others in colorful wigs, and some even sporting Christmas trees as hats.
“El Gordo” Disrupts Daily Life
Most Spaniards, however, followed the drawing from their homes or with friends in bars and cafes. Many businesses suspended work for the morning, and a festive atmosphere prevailed around the Teatro Real and throughout the streets, even among those who didn’t win.
Approximately 70 percent of ticket sales revenue is distributed as prizes. This revenue has steadily increased in recent years, reaching nearly €4 billion. Tickets can be purchased for €200 for a whole ticket, or for €20 for a tenth share.
Friends, families, colleagues, and entire villages often pool their money to buy tickets together, sharing the anticipation and excitement. Statistically, each Spaniard spent €76.08 on lottery tickets this year, €2.20 more than in the previous year.
Schoolgirls Become Stars
The drawing process is consistent each year: two drums are used. The larger drum contains 100,000 wooden balls with the ticket numbers, while the second drum holds 1,800 balls representing the prize amounts. During the draw, two balls are simultaneously drawn from both drums and placed into a glass bowl.
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Students from the San Ildefonso boarding school traditionally announce the winning numbers in pairs, becoming minor celebrities in the process. This year, Alba Yadira and Italy Andrea were the lucky students who repeatedly and emotionally announced the top prize.
Foreigners can participate in the lottery if they are residents of Spain or are physically present in the country during the purchase. Winners must also open a bank account in Spain to claim their prize. Participating from abroad, such as online from Germany, is illegal and can result in significant penalties.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251222-930-455026/3
This is a news dispatch directly from the dpa news agency.
