In the country of Spain, lotto involvement is very common and as is the nature of a lot of E U countries, lotto is a way of life. It is traditional for residents to participate regularly and certainly “La Primitiva,” (Often called – el gordo de la primitiva) the state organized competition is a major centre of attention twice a week.
This lottery is the grandfather of them all, however, El Gordo – also celebrated as the Christmas “fat one” is too awesome to apprehend. It’s the most favourite drawing of the year by far and sees the commencement of the festive season in no uncertain terms. It is supposed that King Carlos 3rd brought in this competition way back in the eighteenth century, as he wished his citizens to live a better life.
According to several sources, this el gordo primitiva Christmas lottery is the biggest in the world with a total prize payout around two billion Euros, with a gigantic first jackpot prize that, because of the nature of the competition, is automatically shared among several identical winning tickets. So many people wish to take part in El Gordo lottery, that it is estimated to be as much as 97% of the total population, which the actual set of lotto numbers is sold multiple times. You can purchase a full ticket for 200 Euros as a “billette”, or a tenth of a ticket, otherwise known as “decimos.”
El Gordo is very much different from every other competition on the planet, as many players of the gordo loteria do not bet for the rest of that year. As such, it can be seen as a significant tradition, instead of just a lottery contest.
Tradition is just about everything with the El Gordo lotto, as the lottery is administered in an identical each and every year. Students at the San Ildefenso School always draw the numbers and the corresponding prizes; and then sing the winning numbers to the public. State radio and television pay particular attention to this event; and the actual drawing itself takes about 3 hours on the morning of December 22 each year. There are a massive number of prizes and the drawing process is very technical. Again, in keeping with tradition, winners frequently donate a part of the money to the school children.
The El Gordo lottery is especially popular as there is a very good probability of acquiring something. You mustn’t forget that the actual occasion itself is famed as the Christmas lottery, unlike the El Gordo, as this is reserved for the actual first prize itself. The potential rewards are so high that it’s common for individuals to get together to raise their opportunities of winning. These El Gordo syndicate groups are another way of celebrating their custom at this joyful time of year by bringing acquaintances and friends together.
The El Gordo must not be confused with the weekly drawing also controlled by the Spanish governing body and otherwise known as the La Primitiva or primitiva el gordo. The said title is very often used to relate to both, though passionate Spaniards are aware of the difference between them. As is popular in state lotto’s, winnings are exempt from any taxation.
It is traditional for citizens in Spain to enter in the El Gordo regularly and certainly the “La Primitiva,” (Sometimes called – el gordo de la primitiva) the state-run competition is a leading center of attention twice a week.
