The annual Christmas lottery, ‘El Gordo,’ has been taking place since 1812, making it the longest-running lottery in the world. Spanning over two centuries, this tradition has continued largely uninterrupted, with millions of euros being given away every year.
This year’s draw saw a total of €2.7 billion in prizes, although most were paid out in smaller amounts. The top prize was €400,000, won by multiple ticket holders who purchased the winning number 72480. The numbers were drawn at a traditional event held at the Teatro Real opera house in Madrid, where students from San Ildefonso school sang out the winning numbers for nearly five hours.
The lottery has become a beloved tradition in Spain, with many people buying and sharing fractions of tickets as part of the festive season. The practice, known as ‘décimos,’ allows individuals to pool their money together and increase their chances of winning smaller prizes.
For María Ángeles, a teacher from Badajoz, waiting hours in line for a seat at the opera house was worth it to be a part of this unique event. “The point of coming to see the lottery is the hope,” she said, estimating that her group won no more than €140.
The lottery’s history dates back to 1763 when King Carlos III established it as a charity. Today, it supports various charities while also generating revenue for the state coffers. Despite its long history, ‘El Gordo’ remains one of Spain’s most popular national lotteries, with many people eagerly anticipating each year’s draw.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/12/23/albanias-one-year-tiktok-ban-met-with-anger-among-video-platforms-young-users