Dreams Come True (and Bellies Get Full): Spain Showers Millions in Christmas Lottery
Get ready for a holly-jolly jackpot! El Gordo, the world’s richest lottery, is spreading $3 billion in holiday cheer.
Across Spain, Christmas cheer kicked in as people tuned in to watch the annual “El Gordo” lottery draw. The Teatro Real opera house buzzed with anticipation as children from Madrid’s San Ildefonso school sang out the prize-winning numbers.
This year, a whopping 2.6 billion euros (nearly $3 billion!) in prizes will be spread across the country, mostly in smaller amounts. Following tradition, the children sang out the winning numbers, each one a chance at a slice of the holiday bounty. Most people buy fractions of tickets, with the popular 20-euro “decimo” offering a tempting 400,000-euro top prize (though taxes will nibble at that).
This year, luck smiled on number 88008! Each 20-euro ticket holder with that number walked away with a cool 400,000 euros, enough to make their Christmas truly merry.
This centuries-old tradition, televised from Madrid’s elegant opera house, marks the official start of the festive season. Tens of thousands tune in, gathering in bars, sports clubs, and even on the streets to share the excitement and hope. Buying and sharing tickets is a cherished ritual for families and friends, adding to the magic of the season.
The lucky numbers were chosen by the adorable children of San Ildefonso, who sing out both the ticket numbers and corresponding prizes in a well-known cadence that reaches every corner of the country. The draw lasted for four nail-biting hours, with everyone waiting for the coveted “El Gordo” jackpot to be called.
While other lotteries might boast bigger individual prizes, El Gordo, held every December 22nd, takes the crown for the largest total prize money in the world. Tickets went on sale back in July, and many people make it a tradition to grab a “decimo” from the town where they spend their summer holidays.
Last year, Spaniards shelled out an average of 67 euros on tickets, showing their dedication to this beloved tradition. The lottery’s roots stretch back to 1763, established as a charity during the reign of King Carlos III. Later, it became a way to bolster the state’s coffers. But for most Spaniards, it’s a chance at Christmas magic, sung out by sweet voices and promising a brighter holiday season.
So, there you have it! Christmas has officially arrived in Spain, ushered in by children’s voices and the promise of El Gordo’s bounty. Now, grab some hot cocoa, settle in with your loved ones, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll hear your ticket number called out next year!