The 2024 Spanish Christmas Lottery, known as the Lotería de Navidad, concluded with excitement at the Teatro Real de Madrid on December 22, 2024, as children from the San Ildefonso school sang the winning numbers. Among the multitude of prizes distributed, the first-place prize, known as El Gordo, went to the number 72480, which was sold entirely at the lottery office located on Calle Muro del Carmen, Logroño.
This year’s lottery drew widespread attention, with total prizes amounting to €2.702 billion—an increase of €112 million compared to the previous year. The overall distribution of prizes was noted for its reach and impact. While El Gordo dazzled with its value of €4 million per series, it was not the only number bringing joy to lottery participants.
The next notable prizes included the second prize, awarded to the number 40014, and the third prize, which went to the number 11840. These larger prizes generated significant cheers and celebrations among participants, particularly those from regions where the winning tickets were sold heavily.
Among the eight fifth prizes announced, the numbers 60622 and 72853 showcased the lottery's structure of smaller prizes, each offering €60,000 to the complete series and €6,000 per tenth. The number 60622 was among the most widely disseminated winning numbers, with significant sales across locations such as Madrid, Barcelona, and several Andalusian provinces including Toledo and Córdoba.
Key administrative details surrounding the claiming of prizes were also established. Due to the lottery falling on a Sunday this year, the official date for claiming prizes was suggested to begin on December 23. Winners holding tickets for amounts less than €2,000 could claim their winnings directly at any lottery outlet, whereas larger amounts required visits to authorized banks, particularly BBVA and CaixaBank.
The excitement around the lottery was palpable as viewers across Spain engaged with the singing of the children's choir, known for their tradition during the event. The unique process combines anticipation with distress, especially when minor errors occurred during the drawing, such as the singing of incorrect numbers leading to accusations of manipulation—a phenomenon addressed by SELAE (Spanish Lottery and Gambling Authority).
This year, the lottery featured 193 series, each containing 100,000 numbers, which was eight more than the previous year, allowing for broad participation. The tax structure remained favorable for small winners, as prizes totaling less than €40,000 are exempt from taxation, paving the way for many supporters.
User engagement soared as many viewers utilized tools like Lotómetro, available on lasexta.com, to check their tickets swiftly. The tool allows participants to enter their unique combinations to see if they were part of the lucky winners.
During this cheerful event, anecdotes and emotions ran high. For example, the crowd reacted with laughter when one of the young singers paused unexpectedly, demonstrating both the nerves and excitement of these young participants. Such human elements play an integral role in making the lottery not just about the money, but about community and celebration.
Despite the commercial success of the lottery, some narratives focused on the societal impacts of such winnings. Locals affected by the climate crisis received uplifting news as prizes landed near their municipalities, indicating the lottery's potential for community rebuilding and support.
Overall, the 2024 Spanish Christmas Lottery successfully combined tradition, community spirit, financial excitement, and public engagement, capturing the hearts of many and marking the start of the festive season for Spaniards everywhere.