Spain’s ‘Fat One’ Christmas lottery doles out US$2.9 billion in prizes
- Spain’s annual Christmas lottery spreads holiday cheer
- Total prize money makes it the world’s richest lottery
Fortune shined Tuesday on the lucky holders of tickets with the number 72897 that took top prize in the Spain’s huge Christmas lottery, known as “El Gordo” (The Fat One).
The prize shelled out €400,000 (US$489,000), or some €325,000 after tax, to holders of 20-euro tickets bearing the number. The lucky tickets were sold in more than 20 towns across Spain.
In keeping with tradition, the number was called out by children from Madrid’s San Ildefonso school in a nationally televised draw at Madrid’s Teatro Real opera house, although this year the event was held under tight restrictions owing to the coronavirus.
The incredibly popular lottery will dish out a total of €2.4 billion (US$2.9 billion) in prizes, much of it in hundreds of smaller prizes.
“It’s an enormous reward during a very difficult year,” Manuel Rodriguez, a lottery salesman from northwestern Spain who sold several winning tickets, told local media.
“We are happy that it landed here amongst our neighbours, that is what we work for, to spread prizes and dreams among our neighbours.”