MADRID, Spain — Economic woes eased for thousands in Spain on Monday as the Christmas lottery — billed among the world's richest — dished out some €2.32 billion (US$3.23 billion) in prizes.
The top prize of the lottery dubbed "El Gordo" (The Fat One) went to holders of tickets bearing the number 32365 — which appears on 1,950 tickets, each winning €300,000 (US$418,000). Thousands of others cashed in on runner-up prizes.
The top number was sung out at just after noon Monday by pupils of Madrid's Saint Ildefonso School in a nationally televised draw held each Dec. 22.
Rather than a single jackpot, the lottery aims for a share-out in which thousands of numbers yield at least some kind of return.
The draw brought scenes of jubilation across Spain.
In the central town of Soria, Ricardo Jimenez's bar sold all 1,950 of the third prize tickets, spreading some €97 million (US$135 million) among customers, family and friends.
Television images showed him being showered with sparking wine by celebrating clients.
"I'm still shaking," said Jimenez, who bought 15 tickets worth €750,000 (US$1 million) for himself. "But I'll keep on working. I'll share this with my three children."
Since it began in 1812, the Christmas lottery has become a favorite holiday tradition. This year, it sold an estimated €2.8 billion euros (US$3.90 billion) nationwide — nearly 3 percent down on last year.
The lottery starts at 9 a.m. (0800 GMT) and people throughout the country typically tune into the radio, television or Internet to find out if their number is called for a prize.
The 1,950 tickets with the top prize number were sold across seven of Spain's 52 provinces.
The state lottery agency estimates per capita spending of about 62 euros ($92) on the Gordo this year, down about 1 euro from 2007. Seventy percent of lottery sales goes back out in prizes, and 30 percent goes to the state.
Spain established its national lottery system as a charity in 1763, during the reign of King Carlos III, but its objective gradually shifted toward filling state coffers.
Spain holds another big lottery Jan. 6 to mark the Feast of the Epiphany. It is known as "El Nino" (The Child), in reference to the baby Jesus.
Wow, what an awesome lottery, and 70% payout!
Great story! Now, speaking of national lotteries, wouldn't it be nice if one of the conditions of the bail out was for the rescued banks to give every taxpayer a lottery ticket? Even with thousands of prizes and a 50% payout, they'd still have $175 million unaccounted for, but at least we'd know where half of the money went!
This is a great game. I wish we here in the US had something like this. 70% payout and they sell almost $4B in tickets. Just insane!
Brad
Oops! I meant $175 "billion"
Very neat story! 3 billion dollars is a lot of money to give away.
$175 Billion could pay 1,750,000 people $100,000 each to put towards a house....
Yeah it would be nice to have (a national lottery) something like that here in the United States! But our Government would have to tax it like it does the other lotteries! 25% off the top to Uncle Sam before you get your winnings and then at the end of the year pay up some more , of course it depends on your year end adjusted gross taxable income!
This is for the Dreamers out there>>> And if Uncle Sam makes an allowance for the national lottery (not taxing it), he will have to make the same allowance for the other lotteries as well and he isn't going to give up that huge CASH COW, now is he? NOPE, so forget a national lottery here in the United States!
sound good to me
, sondra
That must feel great, congrats to the winners
what are the odds of this happening??? :(
The 1,950 tickets with the top prize number were sold across seven of Spain's 52 provinces
In the central town of Soria, Ricardo Jimenez's bar sold all 1,950 of the third prize tickets, spreading some €97 million (US$135 million) among customers, family and friends.
WOW
Just recieved word, ostensibly on good authority from Velencia, that you have to be Spanish Born to claim a win on the big prize
What about foriegn ticket buyers etc?
Does that sound right???
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year all-
EddessaKnight
Until reading this story, I always thought this was a 'scam' lottery.
Maybe it's just scammers using the name.
Hi All,
Unless you are a Spanish citizen you cannot collect large El Gordo prizes but you can win the other prizes. It's in the small print.
Don't you find it intriguing how often advertised "offers" are made in large bold print but qualifying or consumer guarantee conditions are in very small print ???
Happy New Year Wishes,
EddessaKnight
Have you seen the fine print? Where is that information available?
Thanks