Spain – Christmas lottery: 2.52 billion euros distributed by the “Fat Man” this year

With shouts of joy, hugs and champagne, lucky winners across Spain celebrated their Christmas lottery winnings today, marking the start of the festive season in the country.

This year, the top prize – known as “El Gordo” (the fat one) – reached 2.52 billion euros, slightly up from last year’s 2.41 billion euros, and rewarded many winners in different parts of the country, as the same number was sold multiple times.

In the televised draw held at Madrid’s Teatro Real, young students from the San Ildefonso school picked the winning numbers from two lottery tickets and then announced them by singing to the audience.

As Spain, like other European countries, faces a cost of living crisis and stagnant wages, the Christmas lottery is of great importance.

Excitement erupted in the theater when Perla, an unemployed Peruvian-born mother of two in the audience, realized she was holding one of El Gordo’s winning numbers.

She told reporters she would use the money — 400,000 euros before taxes — to buy a new house, educate her children and donate to the Catholic church.

The tradition of the lottery dates back to 1812, when Spain was under French occupation during the Napoleonic Wars and the aim was to raise money for the war.

In the months leading up to December 22nd, relatives, colleagues and friends in Spain tend to pool their money together to buy lucky charms together, often choosing the numbers based on their personal biases. Spaniards spend an average of 66.6 euros on El Gordo wine, according to the Anapal sales association.

RES-EMP

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