The Germany gambling regulator, known as Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), has warned residents against participating in Spanish Christmas lottery ‘El Gordo.’
This relates to Spain’s Christmas lottery draw which is a major state-run lottery event that reached €2.71 billion ($3.14 billion) in 2024. It’s the top prize which is referred to as ‘El Gordo,’ with this translation into English meaning ‘The Fat One.’ The draw is televised each year, with people queuing for hours to be an audience member.
While the lottery mania can be felt in Spain, the German gambling authority states in a news release that participation is now allowed in the country.
They warn that in the run-up to Christmas, especially in November and December, advertising for online participation in the Spanish Christmas lottery ‘increases significantly.’ They suggest that some of these offers are aimed at people resident in Germany, but they say that the advertised online offers are not legal.
It’s not the first time the GGL has warned against Spanish Christmas lottery participation
In a translated version of the original press release, the GGL writes: “Instead of participating in the official lottery, online offers from Germany are only bet on their outcome against a private third-party provider. A contractual relationship with the Spanish state lottery organizer is not concluded. According to the regulations of the German State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021), such “second lotteries” are not eligible for licensing and are therefore illegal.”
They continue to say that several ‘well-known websites’ are promoting participation, but that these providers do not have a German permit and are not listed on the official whitelist.
The regulator has put together some frequently asked questions, along with the answers, and explains why they are warning against it: “Since legal participation from Germany in the Christmas lottery “El Gordo” is not possible, many people (often unknowingly) take advantage of offers of illegal second lotteries. Instead of participating in the official Spanish lottery, only bets on its outcome to a private third party…”
The gambling authority has routinely warned against participation in El Gordo, with news releases dating back to 2023.
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The post GGL warns against participating in Spanish Christmas lottery from Germany appeared first on ReadWrite.
This articles is written by : Nermeen Nabil Khear Abdelmalak
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