Every year, players in Spain celebrate the start of the festive season with a 200-year-old tradition – the Christmas lottery draw. On Sunday, winners gathered with sparkling wine, cheers, and hugs as they marked the occasion.
This year’s prize pot reached €2.71 billion (£2.25 billion), slightly more than last year’s €2.59 billion. The top prize, known as El Gordo or the Fat One, was won by ticket holders in Logroño, the capital of La Rioja region.
Young pupils from San Ildefonso school picked the winning numbers from two revolving globes and sang them out during the nationally televised draw at Madrid’s Theatre Royal. Audience members wore Santa hats, regional costumes, and their personal lucky charms.
The lottery has become a social event, with relatives, friends, and groups buying tickets together to support local causes. The most common ticket costs €20 and offers the chance to win up to €400,000 in prize money before tax.
This tradition dates back to 1812, when Spain was under French occupation during the Napoleonic wars. Today, proceeds after operating costs and payouts go towards social causes, making it a symbol of hope and generosity for many Spaniards.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/22/spain-el-gordo-huge-christmas-lottery-logrono-winners