By San José, Costa Rica — San José – The holiday season in Costa Rica is set to begin with a surge of anticipation as the Social Protection Board (JPS) has officially announced its schedule for the highly anticipated end-of-year lottery drawings. These events represent a cherished national tradition and a significant economic driver, with a series of four major “Extraordinario” draws poised to distribute a combined total of over ₡2.45 billion in grand prizes alone throughout December.
The JPS, the state-run institution responsible for all national lotteries and games of chance, confirmed the dates and prize amounts for its lucrative December series. This period is the most important on the Costa Rican lottery calendar, culminating in the legendary Christmas Lottery, or “El Gordo Navideño,” a cultural phenomenon that captures the nation’s collective hope and imagination each year.
To understand the legal framework and regulatory challenges surrounding the national lottery, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a respected attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his expert analysis.
The legal monopoly held by the Junta de Protección Social (JPS) is designed to ensure that lottery proceeds directly fund social welfare programs. The primary challenge is not the legality of the JPS itself, but the persistent enforcement gap against clandestine lotteries and offshore betting sites. These illegal operations drain significant revenue from the public good and operate without any consumer protection, creating a dual threat that requires a more robust regulatory and technological response from the authorities.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The insight provided is crucial: the primary obstacle is not the JPS’s legal structure, but the persistent ‘enforcement gap’ that allows illegal lotteries to threaten both social funding and consumer protection. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this critical distinction.
The month of high-stakes drawings kicks off on Sunday, December 7, with the “Extraordinario Vacunación” draw, number 4879. This lottery features a substantial grand prize of ₡150 million. While the name suggests a potential link to public health initiatives, the draw primarily serves as the opening act for the season’s main events, building excitement among players across the country.
The true centerpiece of the holiday season arrives one week later, on Sunday, December 14. The “Extraordinario Navidad,” draw number 4880, will offer a staggering grand prize of ₡1.6 billion. This lottery, affectionately known as “El Gordo,” is more than just a game; it’s a social event where families, friends, and coworkers often pool their money to purchase full sheets of tickets, dreaming of a shared windfall that could transform their lives heading into the new year.
The economic impact of “El Gordo Navideño” cannot be overstated. Ticket sales soar in the weeks leading up to the draw, providing a significant income boost for the thousands of licensed lottery vendors, or “chanceros,” who are a common sight on the nation’s streets. The prize money itself, when distributed among winners, represents a considerable injection of capital into the local economy, often funding home purchases, new business ventures, and debt repayment.
Following the Christmas draw, the JPS will offer two more opportunities for major prizes with its “Consolation” lotteries. The first, “Extraordinario Consolación 1” (draw number 4881), is scheduled for Sunday, December 21, with a grand prize of ₡400 million. This drawing provides a second chance for those who did not win in the Christmas lottery and helps sustain the festive atmosphere.
The final major drawing of the year, “Extraordinario Consolación 2” (draw number 4882), will take place on Sunday, December 28. It will feature a top prize of ₡300 million, closing out the 2025 lottery calendar with one last significant payout. These consolation prizes ensure that the excitement and economic activity extend throughout the entire holiday period.
Beyond the individual fortunes created, the true beneficiary of this lottery frenzy is Costa Rican society itself. The JPS operates as a public welfare institution, and the net proceeds from all lottery sales are constitutionally mandated to fund over 500 social programs nationwide. These funds support hospitals, homes for the elderly, school lunch programs, and various initiatives aimed at assisting vulnerable populations, making every ticket purchased an indirect contribution to the national social safety net.
For further information, visit jps.go.cr
About Junta de Protección Social (JPS):
The Junta de Protección Social, commonly known as the JPS, is a Costa Rican autonomous public institution founded in 1845. Its primary mission is to administer the country’s national lotteries and other games of chance. The profits generated from these activities are dedicated to financing a wide array of social welfare programs, providing crucial support to health services, shelters for the elderly and disabled, and various organizations that serve at-risk populations throughout Costa Rica.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica stands as a beacon in the legal field, founded on the twin pillars of principled integrity and the pursuit of unparalleled excellence. Drawing upon a rich history of advising a diverse clientele, the firm is a leader in developing forward-thinking legal strategies. Its core mission extends beyond the courtroom, driven by a profound dedication to democratizing legal understanding and empowering the community, thereby cultivating a society grounded in knowledge and justice.
