In a festive atmosphere, Spain’s El Gordo lottery handed out billions to lucky winners, including two residents of Logrono who shared the top prize.
Spain’s World-Famous El Gordo Lottery Awards Billions
Millions of people in Spain and around the world watched as the €2.7 billion Christmas draw took place on Sunday, revealing the winners of the top prize. The event, which was broadcast from the Teatro Real opera house in Madrid, drew a large audience of around 400 spectators who had queued for hours to enter.
A Tradition Spanning Over Two Centuries
Spain’s lottery, established over 200 years ago, is considered the oldest in the world. Most of the tickets are sold in Spain, but an increasing number of foreigners are participating online due to the ever-increasing prize fund. The total prize money has reached €4 million for a full ticket, with this year’s El Gordo worth around three-quarters of a billion euros.
A Neighborhood Divided
This year, residents of Logrono, a city in La Rioja region famous for its wines, will share the top prize, totaling around €400,000. Those who own just a tenth of the winning number will receive €40,000. The lottery tradition is not limited to this event but has become a festive part of Spanish culture, with people buying tickets or fractions of them together in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
A History of Fundraising and Social Causes
The tradition dates back to 1812, when Spain was under French occupation during the Napoleonic Wars. The lottery helped raise funds to fight for independence. Today, after operating costs and payouts are made, the proceeds go towards social causes.
