If there is one tradition that has been maintained for years at this time of year, apart from the Christmas lights and sweets, it is the Christmas Lottery, «El Gordo de Navidad». Do you want to know what it is, here in the Spanish Club we will tell you about it!
El Gordo de Navidad
It is an extraordinary draw in which you can win four million euros. Yes, yes, you read that right, four million euros! It is held on 22 December and usually takes place in the Lotería y Apuestas del Estado draw hall in Madrid. Since 2010, due to the large number of people who come to watch the draw, it has been moved to other venues in Madrid with more capacity, such as the Palacio de Congresos or the Teatro Real. The second most important draw after this one is the Sorteo Extraordinario del Niño, which takes place every 6 January.
The tickets are called décimos because the bettor plays one tenth of the amount of the ticket (one ticket = 10 décimos). Each tenth costs 20 euros (200 euros per ticket). To share the joy you can share it with your friends, family or work colleagues.
You may be asking yourself, but who is el gordo, who is el gordo, why do they call it that? It is so called because it is the name given to the first prize, that is, the four million euros.
Why is it celebrated on 22 December?
According to Christian tradition, Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December, the draw was moved to the 22nd in order to reactivate the purchase of lottery tickets and thus the economic income. The draw is sung by the children of the school San Ildefonso.
The tickets can be bought in many places, traditionally in the lottery administrations, the best known of which is in Madrid and is called «Doña Manolita». It is the most popular because it has handed out many lottery jackpots, and «El Gordo de Navidad» is by far the ticket that most people buy in this place.
If you want to know more about this tradition, take a look at the advertisements that are made every year, which are like mini movies. Watch this year’s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBqsD2JUahw&feature=youtu.be) and leave us a comment.
Would you like to win the lottery and enjoy a course at our school? Keep visiting our website to see what courses we have on offer. 