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In Spain, lottery involvement is very common and as is the nature of numerous E U states, lottery is a way of life. It is traditional for residents to participate on a regular basis and for sure “La Primitiva,” (Frequently called – el gordo de la primitiva) the state organized contest is a major center of attention twice a week.

When it comes to the granddaddy of them all, nonetheless, El Gordo – also recognized as the Christmas “fat one” is too amazing to grasp. It’s the most common drawing of the year by far and sees the start of the festive season in no uncertain terms. It’s supposed that King Carlos 111 presented this contest back in 1763, as he wished his citizens to have a better way of life.

The el gordo primitiva Christmas lottery draw is the largest in the world with a total prize fund payout around two billion Euros, with an enormous first prize that, because of the nature of the competition, is automatically split among several identical winning lotto tickets. So many people wish to take part in El Gordo lottery, that it is judged to be as much as 97 percent of the whole population, which the actual set of numbers is sold in multiples. You can buy a whole ticket for 200 Euros as a “billette”, or a 10th of a ticket, otherwise known as a “decimos.”

The El Gordo stands apart from virtually all other lotteries worldwide, as lots of players of the gordo loteria don’t gamble for the rest of the year. Therefore, it may be seen as a significant tradition, instead of just a lottery competition.

Custom is everything with the El Gordo lotto, as the lottery draw is administered identically each year. Plus, the results and the prizes are sung in public by Scholars at the San Ildefenso School. State television and radio pay particular attention to this event; and the actual drawing itself takes about three hours on the morning of December 22 each year. There are a huge number of prizes and the drawing procedure is rather complex. Traditionally, winners often donate a percentage of the money to the school children.

The El Gordo lottery is particularly popular as there is a very good probability of winning something. You mustn’t forget that the actual occasion itself is recognized as the Christmas lottery, whereas the title of El Gordo is reserved for the actual first prize itself. The potential rewards are so high that it is usual for people to get together to increase their chances of winning, and these El Gordo syndicate groups are another means of celebrating tradition at this festive time of year by bringing colleagues and acquaintances together.

El Gordo should not be confused with the weekly drawing also run by the Spanish governing body and otherwise recognized as the La Primitiva or primitiva el gordo. The same title is often used to refer to both of them, although passionate Spanish people are fully aware of the difference between them. As is common in state lotto’s, winnings are nontaxable.

According to several sources, this el gordo primitiva Christmas lotto draw is the largest in the world with a total prize payout somewhere near 2 billion, with a gigantic 1st prize that, because of the nature of the competition, is automatically split among several duplicate winning lottery tickets.