Christmas El Gordo - Lotería de Navidad Raffle
How to Play Christmas El Gordo Raffle
Christmas El Gordo raffle tickets all have five digit numbers ranging between 00000 and 99999. Each ticket is split into 10 equal shares. These shares are also known as ‘decimos’ in Spanish. Each share is pre-printed with the raffle number on them.
Look on the left of the screen and you’ll see which numbers are still available. You can’t purchase more shares than what’s available. Now you have various options to play:
- Either pick and buy one share of a raffle ticket number, or
- Pick several shares with one raffle ticket number. This will increase your winnings if that number wins a prize, or
- Purchase shares in different numbers so your probability of winning increases.
It’s easy to pick the amount of shares you want to play by using the (+) and (-) buttons.
If you are a winner, your prize amount will relate to how many shares you have of a raffle ticket number. If your raffle ticket number wins €100 000 and you own 4/10 shares you will get €40 000.
The draw will take place on 22 December 2023.
How to Win and What is the Prize Breakdown
There are over 2.5 million prizes available for the Christmas El Gordo Raffle! The table below describes the prizes within a single series, but the number of prizes available is multiplied by the number of series issued (in 2023 there are 170 series issued). For example, if the number 12345 as drawn as the "El Gordo", then there will be 170 tickets each receiving €4,000,000 (or 1700 shares each receiving €400,000). Simply put - there are plenty of opportunities to win!.
| Prize Level | Example | Number of prizes | Prize payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Prize - "El Gordo" | 12345 | 1x170 | €4,000,000/ticket €400,000/share |
| Second Prize | 22222 | 1x170 | €1,250,000/ticket €125,000/share |
| Third Prize | 33333 | 1x170 | €500,000/ticket €50,000/share |
| Fourth Prize (won by two numbers) | 44444 and 41000 | 2x170 | € 200,000/ticket €20,000/share |
| Fifth Prize (won by eight numbers) | 55555, 51000, 52000 etc. | 8x170 | €60,000/ticket €6,000/share |
| Small Prizes - "La Pedrea" | various specific numbers | 1794x170 | €60,000/ticket €6,000/share |
| First Prize Approximations (First Prize Number +1 and -1) | 12344 and 12346 | 2x170 | €20,000/ticket €2,000/share |
| Second Prize Approximations (Second Prize Number +1 and -1) | 22221 and 22223 | 2x170 | €20,000/ticket €2,000/share |
| Third Prize Approximations (Third Prize Number +1 and -1) | 33332 and 33334 | 2x170 | €20,000/ticket €2,000/share |
| Match first 3 digits of "El Gordo" | 123** | 99x170 | €1,000/ticket €100/share |
| Match first 3 digits of Second Prize | 222** | 99x170 | €1,000/ticket €100/share |
| Match first 3 digits of Third Prize | 333** | 99x170 | €1,000/ticket €100/share |
| Match last 2 digits of "El Gordo" | ***45 | 999x170 | €1,000/ticket €100/share |
| Match last 2 digits of Second Prize | ***22 | 999x170 | €1,000/ticket €100/share |
| Match last 2 digits of Third Prize | ***33 | 999x170 | €1,000/ticket €100/share |
| Match last digit of "El Gordo" | ***5 | 9999x170 | €200/ticket €20/share |
| Total Prize Pot per Series | €14,000,000 | ||
| Total Prize Pot - all 170 Series | €2,380,000,000 | ||
History of Christmas El Gordo Raffle
The Christmas El Gordo raffle has been around since 1892. Now it’s the largest lottery globally in terms of prize pool and how many tickets are eligible for prizes.
Every year the draw is held around Christmas time and the event is an extravaganza. Spanish media cover the event and everyone loves the participation of Children of San Ildefonso School. The students assist in drawing the wooden balls, distributing the prizes and best of all they sing out each winning number.
Rules of the Christmas El Gordo Raffle
The Christmas El Gordo raffle is a unique lottery game because of the high number of tickets or shares available. This is possible because all numbers—between 00000 and 99999—are repeated in 170 series. These numbers with series references are printed on the Christmas lottery tickets. Now each ticket is divided into tenths or ‘decimos’. These are the ‘decimos’ (shares) you can purchase.
During the draw you’ll see two drums:
- One drum contains 100 000 wooden balls. Each has a lottery number—between 00000 and 99999—printed on.
- The second drum has balls with the different prizes on.
Throughout the evening draws take place. The host for the evening takes a ball from each drum, shows them to the audience and the children sing out the numbers.
If your number matches a drawn raffle ticket number you share the drawn prize amount with the other buyers of tickets or shares.
Tax on Winnings for Christmas El Gordo Raffle
Are you ready to play the Christmas El Gordo Raffle? Anyone from around the globe can play as long as they’re 18 years or older. Remember the tax implications! If your Christmas El Gordo raffle winnings exceed €2 500 you’ll be subject to 20% state tax. It will be calculated on the amount you win above €2 500.
