STORY: :: Winners of Spain’s traditional Christmas
lottery celebrate with cheers and hugs
:: December 22, 2024
:: Madrid, Spain
The top prize, known as “El Gordo” (The Fat One), was won by ticket buyers in the northern city of Logrono, capital of La Rioja region that is famed for its wines.
However more than half of Sunday’s top prize, even if bought in Logrono, traveled back to the capital as many winning tickets were held by a basketball club in the working class Madrid area of San Blas-Canillejas.
The most common ticket costs 20 euros, offering up to 400,000 euros in prize money, before taxes, roughly the equivalent of US$417,000.
Lottery mania hits Spain in the weeks leading up to the Christmas lottery. Relatives, co-workers, groups of friends and club members frequently buy tickets or fractions of them together, often favoring particular “lucky” vendors or numbers.
The lottery tradition dates back to 1812, when Spain was under French occupation during the Napoleonic Wars and the draw aimed to raise funds to fight for independence. These days, proceeds after operating costs and payouts are given to social causes.