In Villamanín, a small village in the province of León where this year’s tickets that brought residents the grand prize of Spain’s El Gordo Christmas lottery were sold, the local festival committee has faced an unexpected wave of inquiries. After news of the win broke, so many people wanted to find out how to claim their prize that volunteers had to look for new ways to communicate with the winners.
The committee is now developing a dedicated digital channel to simplify and accelerate the paperwork required to claim winnings. This concerns both official ticket holders and those with unregistered shares, which complicates the distribution process. Organizers emphasize that all steps will be coordinated with legal and notarial professionals to ensure maximum security and transparency for everyone involved.
Legal complexities
In a statement released on New Year’s Eve, the committee explained that establishing clear communication with each winning ticket holder is the first priority. Only after this can the next steps for distributing the funds begin. Special attention is being paid to legal matters: during the holiday season, many specialists are unavailable, which is slowing the process.
In light of this, the organizers are asking all participants for patience and understanding. Tensions have been running high in Villamanín in recent days, with discussions underway about the possibility of a partial reduction in the prize amount for those who purchased official tickets—potentially lowering it by 5–10% from the standard €80,000 per share. However, this option could be reconsidered if any participant decides to take legal action to demand full payment. In that case, the distribution of funds would be suspended until a final decision is made.
Digital channel
The new digital channel is designed not only to simplify the process of collecting information about the winnings, but also to ensure the confidentiality of all participants’ data. The commission promises that as soon as the system is ready, clear instructions on registration and next steps will be communicated to the winners through official channels. For now, however, volunteers admit they cannot respond to all calls and messages promptly—the number of inquiries has become overwhelming for the small team.
The organizers say the main goal now is to find a fair and transparent solution that satisfies everyone involved. They thank the community for its patience and assure that they are working to resolve the situation as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Awaiting a decision
In the coming days, the commission will continue consultations with lawyers and notaries to determine the best course of action. It is crucial that every step complies with current legislation and takes into account the interests of all parties involved. For now, the residents of Villamanín await news and hope for a prompt resolution.
The commission’s statement emphasizes that any further instructions will be published exclusively through official channels to avoid confusion and misunderstandings. Organizers urge people not to panic and to trust only verified information.
