Spain's Lottery Sellers Call for Bigger Christmas Jackpot Amid Inflation
Spain faces a cost-of-living crisis with rising housing and energy prices reducing disposable income and the hope of winning big in the lottery. Some buyers start purchasing their Christmas lottery tickets as early as spring, spending significant amounts.
Request to Increase Ticket Price and Jackpot
Borja Muniz, President of ANAPAL—the association representing 4,100 Spanish lottery shops—urged the government to raise both ticket prices and the top prize for the traditional Christmas lottery draw. He said,
"The jackpot hasn't changed in 14 years, while prices have climbed about 26%. Before, you could buy two apartments with it. Now it barely covers one."
ANAPAL proposes increasing the price of a tenth of a ticket, known as a "decimo," from 20 to 25 euros, and raising the top prize from 400,000 euros to 500,000 euros per winning decimo. Their proposal has been submitted to the state-run lottery agency and the Budget Ministry, though the agency declined to comment.
Calls for Higher Commissions Due to Rising Costs
Lottery sellers complain that inflation and growing expenses have eroded their earnings. They also request increasing their commission on Christmas draw sales from 4.5% to 6%, aligning it with other national lotteries.
Upcoming Changes in 2025 Draw
The Spain Christmas Lottery 2025, scheduled for December 22, will feature historic alterations to the traditional draw format.
Author’s summary: Spain's lottery sellers urge ticket price and prize increases to offset inflation, while also seeking higher commissions to cope with rising costs ahead of the 2025 Christmas lottery changes.