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National Lottery: Loterías y Apuestas del Estado
The lottery in Spain is part of public life and the cultural calendar. State operator Loterías y Apuestas del Estado (SELAE) and charity ONCE form Europe's largest market for circulation and instant draws. For Spaniards, the lottery is both a chance to win and a social tradition: collective tickets in offices and bars, queues at "happy" kiosks, joint purchases for Christmas and on the eve of Three Kings Day.
1) Who's Who: SELAE and ONCE
SELAE (Loterías y Apuestas del Estado). State-owned company managing national games: El Gordo de Navidad, El Niño, La Primitiva, Bonoloto, El Gordo de la Primitiva, EuroMillions, La Quiniela (football sweepstakes), Lototurf, Quíntuple Plus, etc. Profits are directed to the budget and to socially significant programs.
ONCE. National Organization of the Blind of Spain. Holds its own lotteries and instant games: Cupón Diario, Cuponazo, Sueldazo del Fin de Semana, and also implements the international game Eurojackpot in Spain. Proceeds go to social and inclusive projects through the ONCE fund.
2) "El Gordo de Navidad" - the country's main circulation
Date: December 22 annually.
Tickets and shares: The classic billete is divided into ten shares (décimos). The most popular purchase format is décimo.
First prize ("El Gordo"): paid per series; one décimo accounts for a large fixed amount (historically hundreds of thousands of euros). In addition to the first prize, there are second/third and many "small" winnings ("pedrea"), thanks to which the probability of "returning something" is noticeably higher than in ordinary lotteries.
Tradition: companies, bars, families and neighboring communities buy common shares and "participaciones" (divided parts of décimo). The winnings are then divided proportionally.
«El Niño»
Date: January 6 (holiday of the Three Kings).
Prize structure: more "concentrated" into the top categories compared to Christmas; popular as a "second attempt" after El Gordo.
3) SELAE Weekly Games: How it works
La Primitiva. Classic number lottery (usually 6 of 49 + Reintegro), circulations are Thursday and Saturday; there are large jackpots.
Bonoloto. The budget option with frequent draws is Monday-Saturday.
El Gordo de la Primitiva. Another numerical game with large funds is on Sundays.
EuroMillions. The pan-European lottery with record jackpots is Tuesday and Friday.
La Quiniela. Football sweepstakes: prediction of the outcome of matches of La Liga, etc.; circulations coincide with game tours.
4) ONCE line
Cupón Diario. Daily coupon with fixed prizes and series.
Cuponazo (Friday). Large guaranteed amounts, additional "second" chances.
Sueldazo del Fin de Semana. Rent "monthly" for a long period + one-time prizes.
Eurojackpot. European game with a growing jackpot (draws are usually Tuesday and Friday); in Spain, ONCE is implemented.
5) Where and how to buy
Official SELAE/ONCE kiosks and administrations. Traditional Channel; for the holidays, queues line up at the "iconic" kiosks.
Online and applications. Both operators have official digital channels with identification and secure payment.
Joint purchases. For décimos and participaciones, be sure to issue receipts/receipts (or buy from an authorized seller) so that you can share the winnings later without controversy.
6) Taxes and winnings
Tax on lottery winnings. Amounts above the non-taxable minimum are subject to deduction (the standard rate is 20% for excess). Amounts up to the threshold - excluding tax.
Where they pay. Small winnings - at the points of sale; large - through partner banks/operator's office.
Documents. Passport/ID, ticket/electronic receipt; for group tickets - share confirmation.
Statutes of limitations. Prizes must be declared within the established period (usually several months from the date of circulation).
7) Probabilities, prize money and participation strategy
Lotteries - games of chance with organizer advantage; mathematical expectation is negative.
Spanish festive circulations compensate for this with a wide grid of prizes and "social" pleasure from participation.
A practical approach is to budget in advance for December-January, buy shares instead of "full" tickets to share the risk and keep tickets/receipts until results are checked.
8) Cultural phenomenon
Numbers and superstitions. Spaniards choose "beautiful" numbers (dates, addresses, symbolic combinations) and "happy kiosks," where there were once large winnings.
Live broadcasts. The El Gordo prank is a television show: children from the San Idelfonso school sing dropped numbers - this is one of the most recognizable rituals of Spanish Christmas.
Community mission. Some of SELAE's funds support social initiatives of the state, and ONCE directly funds inclusion and accessibility programs for people with disabilities.
9) Responsible Play (RG)
18+. The purchase of tickets by minors is prohibited.
Limits and self-control. Plan lottery spending as leisure; avoid impulse purchases "after."
Purchase security. Use official points and digital channels; in joint purchases, fix shares in writing.
10) A quick guide to the main games
FAQ
Is it possible to divide one ticket between several people?
Yes I did. In Spain, this is a common practice (décimos, participaciones). The main thing is to have confirmation of shares.
Where is it safer to buy tickets online?
On official SELAE/ONCE digital channels or authorized sellers who issue personalized receipts.
Is winning tax always taken?
No, it isn't. To the non-taxable threshold - zero; tax is deducted from the amount above the threshold (standard 20%).
Why is El Gordo so popular?
Because of the huge prize pool, the wide "fan" of winnings and the strong social tradition of joint purchase.
The Spanish National Lottery is a union of SELAE and ONCE that combines cultural tradition, social mission and modern sales infrastructure. From the iconic Christmas circulations of El Gordo and El Niño to daily coupons and European jackpots, the choice is huge. Approach participation wisely: set a budget, buy officially and keep tickets - then the lottery will remain a pleasant part of the Spanish calendar, not financial stress.