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Lotto Knowledge 21 November 2024
What is the Annual Lottery in Spain?
Bet on El Gordo from Malta
Table of contents:
- WHAT IS THE CHRISTMAS LOTTERY IN SPAIN CALLED?
- CAN ANYONE ENTER EL GORDO?
- HOW EL GORDO WORKS
- WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF WINNING THE EL GORDO LOTTERY?
- WHAT IS THE TOP PRIZE FOR EL GORDO?
- HOW MUCH IS EL GORDO?
- WHO CREATED EL GORDO?
- THE ICONIC EL GORDO TV ADS
- BET ON THE SPANISH CHRISTMAS LOTTERY FROM MALTA
Please note that Lottoland is not a lottery operator and you are not buying a ticket with an applicable lottery. You must be 18 years of age or older to register and bet. Please see the Terms and Conditions.
What Is The Christmas Lottery in Spain called?
The Chrismtas Lottery in Spain is called El Gordo. It is is one of the world’s oldest and biggest lotteries, dating back to 1812, held every year on December 22. It’s a central part of Spain’s festive season, bringing communities together for the chance to win a portion of the enormous prize pool.
Why is it called El Gordo? Well, the name El Gordo means "The Fat One," reflecting the size of the lottery's total prize pool as El Gordo is the lottery with the largerst prize pool in the world at €2.7 billion!
Unlike typical lotteries, El Gordo doesn’t focus on creating just one millionaire. Instead, it offers thousands of prizes to spread the winnings. Most players don’t buy a full ticket (billete), which costs around £250, but instead purchase décimos—1/10 shares of a ticket—allowing multiple people to share in the prize money.
This structure makes El Gordo an affordable option for many, allowing families, friends, and even entire towns to join in the excitement of the draw.
Can Anyone Enter El Gordo?
Typically, you’d need to buy a physical ticket in Spain to enter the Christmas Lotto. However, with Lottoland, you can bet on the Christmas lottery online from Malta!
This means that instead of purchasing a traditional ticket, you place a bet on the outcome of the lottery's results—and if your numbers match, you’ll win the same prize amount as if you’d bought a ticket directly!
How El Gordo Works
The Spanish Christmas Lottery, known as El Gordo de Navidad, is famous worldwide for its extraordinary prize pool, festive spirit, and unique traditions. It is a massive event that takes place annually on December 22nd, that captivates millions.
Each ticket number is printed in 193 series, meaning there are 193 identical sets of each number, providing multiple chances for the same number to win.
Whether you’re new to El Gordo or a seasoned player, here’s everything you need to know to join the excitement and maximize your chances to win. From décimos to group participations, the Spanish lottery tradition is now just a click away with Lottoland for Maltese players.
Discover how to be part of this unforgettable lottery and add a little extra sparkle to your Christmas this year! See the infographic below to find out what is special about the Chrismtas Lottery.
What Are the Odds of Winning the El Gordo Lottery?
The odds of winning the top prize in El Gordo are 1 in 100,000 - and the odds of winning a prize is 1 in 7 - making it one of the most favourable lotteries in the world.
With so many prizes distributed, even if you don't win the jackpot, there are 15,000+ chances to win other prizes!
What is The Top Prize for El Gordo?
The top prize in El Gordo is a whopping €4 million! When you bet on el the Spanish Christmas Lotto, you're also in with a chance for:
|
|
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|---|---|---|---|
| Prize Tier | Prize Payout (€) | ||
| 1st Prize (El Gordo) | €4,000,000 | ||
| 2nd Prize | €1,250,000 | ||
| 3rd Prize | €500,000 | ||
| 4th Prize | €200,000 | ||
| 5th Prize | €60,000 | ||
| 5 correct numbers | €1,000 | ||
| Number before and after "El Gordo" | €20,000 | ||
| Numbers before and after 2nd prize | €12,500 | ||
| Number before and after 3rd prize | €9,600 | ||
| First 3 digits of "El Gordo" | €1,000 | ||
| First 3 digits of 2nd prize | €1,000 | ||
| First 3 digits of 3rd prize | €1,000 | ||
| First 3 digits of 4th prize | €1,000 | ||
| Last 2 digits of "El Gordo" | €1,000 | ||
| Last 2 digits of 2nd prize | €1,000 | ||
| Last 2 digits of 3rd prize | €1,000 | ||
| Same last digit as "El Gordo" | €200 | ||
Lottoland also offers the Double Jackpot Feature, giving you the chance to bet twice the official amount on the first three prizes giving you the chance to win double the amount the first three prizes!
How Much is El Gordo?
The cost of your bet depends on the share you choose to buy.
Our most affordable option is 1/100th of a bet for €4.99.
However, the larger the share, the more you save. For example, 1/2 of a bet costs €149.99—a massive 40% discount!
Who Created El Gordo?
The El Gordo Christmas Lottery, also known as Lotería de Navidad in Spain, has a rich history that spans more than 200 years.
Created by Ciriaco González Carvajal in 1812 during the Spanish War of Independence, the lottery was introduced to raise funds without burdening citizens. While it continued through the Spanish Civil War under Francisco Franco's regime, Franco was not its creator.
Here’s a brief overview of its key milestones:
- 1812: The first draw took place on December 18th during the Spanish War of Independence.
- 1892: The Christmas draw became an annual event.
- 1930s: Not even the Spanish Civil War stopped El Gordo. Two draws were held simultaneously in Barcelona and Burgos.
- 2024: Today, 75% of Spanish adults participate in El Gordo, and now Malta residents can join through Lottoland.
Now considered an integral part of Spain’s Christmas celebrations, El Gordo offers over €2 billion in prizes, spreading holiday cheer across the nation.
The Iconic El Gordo TV Ads
The release of the El Gordo Christmas TV ads marks the start of the festive season in Spain.
The 2024 ad tells a heartwarming story about a man who wins the lottery and decides to share his prize with his neighbors in unique and meaningful ways, bringing the community closer together.
With a festive backdrop of twinkling lights, joyful smiles, and emotional moments, the ad beautifully captures the spirit of giving and kindness, embodying the motto: El mayor premio es compartirlo ("the greatest prize is to share it").
Bet on the Spanish Christmas Lottery from Malta
Now, you don’t need to travel to Spain to be a part of the El Gordo Christmas Lottery. With Lottoland, you can simply bet on the outcome of the draw and stand a chance to win the same prizes.
Visit our Christmas Lottery Page to place your bet and get ready for the December 22nd draw. You could be one of the lucky winners enjoying a very merry christmas!
Good luck and ¡Feliz Navidad!
*Please note that all prize amounts mentioned in this article are subject to currency fluctuations and may vary at the time of payout.*
Last Updated: 21st November 2024
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