Spain’s famous Christmas lottery has brought a surge of optimism to parts of the country still recovering from devastating wildfires earlier this year. Several towns in the north-western province of León emerged as major winners in the draw, sharing hundreds of millions of euros in prize money.
The annual lottery, widely known as El Gordo, awarded its top prize to ticket holders in small communities that were badly affected by summer fires. The winning number, 79432, turned a €20 ticket into a €400,000 prize, with many residents pooling tickets through workplaces, clubs, and local associations.
La Bañeza Celebrates After Months of Hardship
The town of La Bañeza, home to about 11,000 people, received the largest share, with residents collectively winning €468 million. The payout arrived just four months after wildfires scorched more than 8,000 hectares of land around the town and claimed the life of 35-year-old Abel Ramos.
Mayor Javier Carrera said the lottery result had lifted spirits at a difficult time. Local industries have also suffered this year, including the closure of a sugar-beet factory that led to dozens of job losses. “This brings excitement and hope back to La Bañeza,” he told Spanish media.
Villablino and Other Communities Also Win Big
Another fire-hit town in the same province, Villablino, shared €200 million in winnings. Mayor Mario Rivas said the prize was welcome news after a year marked by tragedy, including fatal mining accidents in nearby Asturias.
Most of Villablino’s winning tickets were sold through a local Alzheimer’s association, spreading the financial boost across the community. Resident Maribel Martín said she learned about her €400,000 win while shopping for groceries. “We were really down. This is something wonderful,” she said, adding that she plans to share the money and enjoy life.
Widespread Impact Across Spain
Additional lottery winnings went to La Pola de Gordón, another León town of about 3,000 residents, which shared €60 million. A working-class neighborhood in Madrid also received €64 million.
The north-west of Spain, including parts of León and neighboring Galicia, is prone to wildfires, but this year was especially severe. Fires burned nearly 0.8% of the country’s land surface during the summer.
For communities that endured loss and destruction, the Christmas lottery has become more than a financial prize — it has offered a rare moment of relief and renewed hope.
