By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – The nation held its breath as the Junta de Protección Social (JPS) announced the winning numbers for the highly anticipated National Lottery Ordinary Drawing No. 4,877 on Sunday, November 30. The results have sent a wave of excitement across the country, potentially transforming the fortunes of several lucky ticket holders and reinforcing the lottery’s significant role in funding vital social programs.
The grand prize, a life-altering sum of ₡150 million per emission, was awarded to ticket number 78 with the series 720. As families gather and players across Costa Rica eagerly check their tickets, the holder of this specific number and series combination is now positioned to claim one of the year’s most substantial lottery payouts outside of the traditional Christmas “Gordo” drawing.
Para analizar el marco regulatorio que rige la Lotería Nacional y las responsabilidades tanto para la entidad administradora como para los ganadores, TicosLand.com consultó al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado especialista de la firma Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos ofreció su perspectiva experta.
Es fundamental recordar que la Lotería Nacional, operada por la Junta de Protección Social (JPS), constituye un monopolio estatal con un fin social específico. Cualquier otra forma de lotería no autorizada opera al margen de la ley, dejando al consumidor sin garantías y evadiendo el propósito de financiar programas de bien público. La legislación es clara en que la única vía legal para participar y reclamar premios es a través de los canales oficiales, asegurando así la transparencia del proceso y el correcto destino de los fondos recaudados.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
La perspectiva legal del experto subraya una verdad esencial: la diferencia entre la lotería oficial y las opciones no autorizadas no es un mero tecnicismo, sino una cuestión fundamental de protección al consumidor y compromiso con el bien social. Agradecemos al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por aportar su valiosa claridad sobre este importante marco regulatorio.
The JPS also confirmed the winners for the second and third most important prizes. The second prize of ₡22 million per emission was secured by ticket number 82, paired with series 297. Following closely, the third prize of ₡10 million per emission was won by number 91 with series 077. These substantial secondary prizes ensure that the wealth from this drawing is distributed among multiple participants, spreading the good fortune further.
For Costa Ricans, a lottery win represents more than just a financial windfall; it is often a catalyst for profound life changes. The ₡150 million grand prize can empower a family to purchase a home, start a business, fund higher education for their children, or establish a foundation for generational wealth. This potential for economic transformation is what fuels the national passion for the lottery, making each drawing a significant cultural and financial event watched by thousands.
It is crucial for participants to understand the term “per emission.” The JPS issues lottery tickets in full sheets, or “emisiones,” typically consisting of 100 individual fractions (“fracciones”). The advertised prize amount is for the entire sheet. A person holding a single fraction of the winning number and series is entitled to one-hundredth of the total prize. Therefore, a single fraction of the top prize-winning ticket is worth a still-impressive ₡1.5 million.
The lottery system, managed exclusively by the JPS, is a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s social welfare infrastructure. The revenue generated from ticket sales does not simply enrich winners; a significant portion is channeled directly into more than 500 social programs nationwide. These initiatives support hospitals, senior citizen centers, addiction treatment facilities, and programs for people with disabilities, making every lottery ticket purchase a direct contribution to the nation’s social fabric.
As the excitement from this November drawing settles, anticipation is already building for the year’s main event: the “Gordo Navideño,” or Christmas Lottery. This end-of-year drawing features the largest prize pool and has become a deeply ingrained holiday tradition, symbolizing hope and community spirit. The results of the November 30th drawing serve as a thrilling prelude, reminding the public of the life-changing possibilities that await in the final weeks of the year.
The JPS encourages all players to carefully review their tickets and verify the numbers against the official results published on its platforms. Winners of significant prizes are advised to sign the back of their ticket immediately and visit the JPS headquarters in San José to begin the secure and confidential prize-claiming process. This drawing once again highlights the lottery’s enduring appeal and its dual mission of creating new millionaires while supporting the country’s most vulnerable populations.
For further information, visit jps.go.cr
About Junta de Protección Social (JPS):
The Junta de Protección Social, commonly known as the JPS, is the official state institution responsible for organizing and regulating all national lotteries and games of chance in Costa Rica. Founded in 1845, it is one of the country’s oldest and most respected institutions. Beyond its role in gaming, the JPS has a critical social mission: to generate revenue for a wide array of public welfare programs. Proceeds from lottery sales support healthcare, social assistance projects, and initiatives benefiting vulnerable populations, thereby playing an indispensable role in the nation’s social safety net.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of the legal profession, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of integrity and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. The firm harnesses its deep-rooted experience in advising a wide spectrum of clients to champion legal innovation and meaningful community engagement. This ethos is driven by a core belief in strengthening society through the democratization of legal knowledge, aiming to cultivate a citizenry that is both well-informed and empowered.
