As we approach the last months of the year, we arrive at one of the most anticipated days of the year, December 22, the date on which the Extraordinary draw for the 2024 Christmas Lotteryan event that has become one of our most beloved Christmas traditions because it fills us with excitement and hope. Millions of people dream of winning one of the prizes distributed that day, the highly anticipated “Fat” until refunds the little ones, who also draw smiles. This raffle, which has more than two centuries of history, brings together families, friends and work colleagues who share the tenths, hoping that luck will be with them. Buying the tenth becomes an annual ritual, the opportunity to dream of transforming your destiny in an instant. But how exactly does the Christmas Lottery work?
Although the Christmas competition is widely known, questions arise every year about how it works, its prizes and its odds. What happens if the number of your tenth coincides with the “Gordo”? How do the procedures and withdrawals work? How likely is it really that your number will be assigned? These doubts add to the excitement of the moment, when the first bullets begin to come out of the drums in the Royal Theater of Madrid. The magic of the raffle is not only in the prizes, but also in the experience: the voices of the children of San Ildefonso, the stories behind every tenth and the hope that breathes in every corner of the country.
He Christmas lottery draw 2024 It’s much more than numbers and prices; It is a day full of emotions and tradition. Since the beginning, millions of people have been watching the hype, waiting for their number to be chosen. In addition, the “Gordo” and the grand prizes are not the only protagonists: the raffle distributes thousands of secondary prizes that can brighten up the holidays of thousands of families. If you’re planning to participate or just want to know more about this big event, we’ll tell you everything you need to know: how it happens, what the chances of winning are, and when the long-awaited “Gordo” might be released. . Get ready to experience the magic of this day!
When does the Christmas lottery take place?
He Christmas lottery draw It takes place at the Teatro Real in Madrid, which will open its doors at 8:00 a.m., with tables set up and all preparation at 8:30 a.m. The beginning of Lottery and its possible prices will be at 9:00 a.m. on December 22, 2024.
How the Christmas lottery draw works
The Christmas lottery draw is one of Spain’s most iconic traditions, celebrated every December 22 for more than two centuries. During this event, two big drums come into action: one contains the 100,000 balls with the participating numbers, while the other houses the prize balls, ranging from the famous Gordo to refunds and small prizes. While the children of San Ildefonso sing the numbers and prizes, millions of people wait impatiently to hear their winning combination. This system ensures that luck is distributed throughout the country, turning this day into a magical moment full of excitement and hope for those who purchased their tenth.
Difference between tenths, banknote and serial number
Inside Christmas lottery drawIt is common to confuse the terms “tenth”, “ticket” and “serial number”, but each has a specific meaning within the gaming system. tenth This is the basic unit that is acquired when purchasing a lottery. Each the tenth costs 20 euros and represents one of ten parts into which a ticket is divided, meaning that, if your number is matched, you will receive one-tenth of the total prize for that ticket. For his part, the ticket corresponds to complete series of ten tenths with the same number and the same series, therefore the The price of a full ticket is 200 euros.
The notion of serial number refers to the a specific numbering which identifies each ticket in the draw. Each participant number (which can be any number between 00000 and 99999) is issued in several series, and during the 2024 Christmas draw, 180 series of each number are printed. This increases the chances of winning and allows prizes to be distributed throughout Spain. In summary, while the tenth is what we acquire to participate, the ticket groups together the ten tenths and the series identifies how many versions of that number exist in the draw. A system designed to distribute millions of dreams!
How much does a tenth of the Christmas lottery cost?
As we already mentioned, The price of each Christmas lottery ticket is 20 euros.
All Christmas Lottery prizes
THE rewards of the Christmas present They leave in a differentiated way throughout the morning, during the more than four hours that lasts the celebration of the event which will take place in Madrid this December 22. So things, we will have to Fat Christmas, as it is called the first prize, to exceptional second, third, fourth or fifth prizes. There are even those who can get a refund, being able to recover the amount they spent on their lottery ticket.
THE main awards of the Extraordinary draw for the Christmas lottery 2024 are:
- The “big”: 328,000 euros per tenth excluding taxes.
- Second prize: 108,000 euros per tenth after taxes.
- Third prize: 48,000 euros per tenth excluding taxes.
- Fourth prize: 20,000 euros per tenth. Two bedrooms are divided.
- Fifth prize: 6,000 euros per tenth are distributed.
- In addition to the main ones, there are others minor prices of the Christmas Lottery, the amount of which varies between 20 euros (refund) and 2,000 euros (approximate).
How much does Lottery reimbursement cost?
He refund It is, as we mentioned previously, in terms of payment the possibility of recovering our stake, since our last number coincides with that of the Shrove Christmas 2024. They will therefore touch 20 eurosregarding the cost of the tenth, which we can charge like the rest of the prices.
Approaches to the Christmas Lottery
THE approximations In the Christmas Lottery, these are secondary prizes which are awarded to the numbers immediately before and after the big prizes, such as Fatsecond prize or third prize. This system aims to reward those who came close to the winning combination, offering them a small reward as consolation for not getting the main prize.
For example, if the Fat Christmas is the number 12345, the approximations would be for the numbers 12344 and 12346. In the case of the second and third prize, the mechanism works the same way: the two numbers next to the winners are awarded. Although the amounts awarded for approximations are lower than the main prizes, they can add up to a significant amount, becoming a pleasant surprise for the lucky ones who tried their luck in this extraordinary draw.
How the Christmas Lottery Drums Work
For him Extraordinary draw for the Christmas lottery There is two drums, one big and one small. In the big one they are introduced 100,000 balls, each of which is equivalent to the numbers printed in tenths, from 00000 to 99999. In the small, 1,807 balls what all the prizes to be distributed imply.
In order to award the prizes, they are the children of San Ildefonso They extract the balls once the drums are turned and stopped, and sing the number that comes out at each moment. This process (that of extracting the balls) is carried out a total of 1,807 times, as many prizes are distributed.
All The balls are made of wood and they have the same size (18.8 millimeters) and the same weight (3 grams). The numbers are laser engraved. The first three prizes are the most anticipated, but they sometimes take time to be awarded. The last “Gordo” dates from 2014, at 1:00 p.m.; the number 13437.
Odds of winning the Christmas jackpot
According to previous calculations Christmas lottery drawThere are a total of 15,304 numbers that go with a prize, including here from Gordo to redemption. So, if we take into account that in the big drum that luck carries we have numbers from 00000 to 99,999, a total of 100,000 balls, the probability of winning the jackpot is 1 in 100,000, a 0.001%.
How to collect a Christmas lottery prize
Collect a prize from the Christmas Lottery It is a simple process, although it depends on the amount of the prize obtained. If the price is equal to or less than 2,000 euros, you can collect it directly from any of the administrations. official lottery. All you have to do is present the winning ticket, which will then be validated, and you will receive the corresponding amount in cash or by bank transfer, depending on your preference.
For grants above 2,000 euros, the procedure changes. In this case, you must contact one of the collaborating banking entitiessuch as Caixabank, BBVA or Santander, among others. There, after presenting the tenth winner and your ID, you will receive the prize amount by bank transfer. It is important to remember that these prices are subject to a 20% withholding for amounts above 40,000 euros, according to current legislation.
In the event of a shared winner, it is recommended that all participants sign a document specifying the distribution of the prize, avoid possible future misunderstandings. In addition, always keep a copy of the tenth for safety before returning it for collection. That’s how easy it is to take advantage of your luck with this gift!
How much does the Treasury receive for Christmas lottery prizes?
In the Christmas Lotterylots are subject to specific tax withholding. According to current regulations, the prizes whose total amount is greater than 40,000 euros are taxed at 20% on the amount that exceeds this threshold.
For example:
- First prize (“El Gordo”): 400,000 euros per tenth. The first 40,000 euros are exempt, so tax is paid on 360,000 euros. The withholding would be 72,000 euros (20% of 360,000), and the winner would receive 328,000 euros net.
- Second prize: 125,000 euros per tenth. Taxed on 85,000 euros (125,000 – 40,000), with withholding tax of 17,000 euros, or 108,000 euros net.
- Third prize: 50,000 euros per tenth. Taxed on 10,000 euros (50,000 – 40,000), with a deduction of 2,000 euros, or 48,000 euros net.
Prizes equal to or less than 40,000 euros are tax exempt, so they are collected in full.
It is important to emphasize that holdback is applied at time of collectionthe winner therefore receives the net amount directly, without needing to take any additional steps with the Treasury.
