Christmas lottery “El Gordo”: Spain draws the big lot

Two days before Christmas Eve there is already a kind of giving of presents in Spain: the traditional Christmas lottery is played. A mega event that the whole country is rooting for. There is a total of a good 2.5 billion euros in the lottery pot.

Last year, the main prize – “El Gordo”, translated as “the fat one” – was worth four million euros. Children from the San Ildefonso school spent hours drawing balls from lottery drums and singing the numbers on the stage of the “Teatro Real” in Madrid. A tradition that almost resembles a church service. This year, too, they spent weeks preparing for Day X at school.

Ángel is a little hoarse as he talks about what it means for him to be there – to bring joy to many people and that money goes to people who need it. It is not his first time in the Christmas lottery, he enjoys it, also because in the end a family will be happy.

Queuing as a Christmas custom

Another tradition of the Christmas lottery: queuing. Just like before “Doña Manolita”, by far the most popular lottery shop in Madrid, right in the center in the pedestrian zone. The closer the draw day gets, the longer the queue in front of the sales counter. It can reach several blocks.

For Pilar and Maria, waiting is part of every year, even when it rains heavily. They have now been in line for almost three hours, says Maria. And all for the hope of big money. A whole ticket costs 200 euros, but only a few can afford it. More popular are tenth tickets for 20 euros, which are often shared among relatives, friends and work colleagues.

There are often arguments about winning

If you are successful, the main prize “El Gordo” is worth 400,000 euros – less tax, because a 20 percent tax is due on winnings of more than 40,000 euros.

The syndicates are not without risk, because if you win, there are often arguments and couples or friends regularly end up in court. Ex-partners, family members, friends or colleagues suddenly no longer want to know anything about buying the ransom together or simply claim that they have lost the lucky ticket.