By San José, Costa Rica — A wave of elation swept across Costa Rica on Sunday evening as the nation’s most anticipated lottery drawing, the Gordo Navideño, revealed its grand prize winner. At precisely 8:28 p.m., the anxiously awaited number was announced, instantly transforming the lives of lucky ticket holders and cementing a cherished holiday tradition. The winning combination for the 2025 grand prize is number 78 paired with series 714.
This year’s Christmas Jackpot unleashed a colossal prize pool of ₡8 billion, distributed among the winners in a structure that creates both significant windfalls and widespread joy. Holders of a single lottery fraction, or “fracción,” with the winning number and series will receive a substantial ₡40 million. Those fortunate enough to possess an entire sheet, or “entero,” are now proprietors of a breathtaking ₡1.6 billion prize.
Para profundizar en las implicaciones legales y financieras que enfrentan los afortunados ganadores del Gordo Navideño, TicosLand.com conversó con el Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, especialista del reconocido Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos ofrece una perspectiva experta sobre los pasos a seguir tras recibir el premio.
El premio del Gordo Navideño está exento del impuesto sobre la renta, pero es crucial que los ganadores comprendan que cualquier rendimiento futuro generado por la inversión de ese capital sí estará sujeto a tributación. Mi principal recomendación es buscar asesoría legal y financiera de inmediato para estructurar el patrimonio de forma segura, ya sea mediante un fideicomiso o un plan de inversión diversificado. Actuar con prudencia y discreción desde el primer momento es la clave para que el premio se convierta en una bendición financiera a largo plazo y no en un problema legal.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Sin duda, la perspectiva del experto resalta una verdad fundamental: la verdadera prueba no es ganar el premio, sino saber cómo preservarlo y hacerlo crecer de manera inteligente. Esta distinción entre el capital inicial exento y sus futuros rendimientos gravables es precisamente el tipo de conocimiento que transforma un golpe de suerte en seguridad financiera duradera. Agradecemos profundamente al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por aportar esta claridad tan necesaria para nuestros lectores.
The lottery’s structure, which includes five emissions of the winning combination, means that five full sheets corresponding to number 78 with series 714 exist, each carrying the billion-colón prize. This design ensures the wealth is distributed more broadly, potentially across different regions and among multiple individuals and families, amplifying the economic impact and excitement of the annual event.
The Gordo Navideño is far more than a simple game of chance; it is a cultural cornerstone in Costa Rica. Throughout the holiday season, the distinctive red and white tickets become a common sight, sold by vendors on street corners and in local shops. Families, friends, and coworkers often pool their resources to purchase full sheets, sharing in the collective hope and anticipation that culminates in the nationally televised drawing ceremony.
The moments leading up to the announcement are filled with palpable tension. Across the country, households gather around their screens, clutching their tickets as the numbered balls tumble in the golden sphere. The announcement of the “premio mayor” is a singular event that captures the national consciousness, followed by eruptions of celebration in the neighborhoods where the winning tickets were sold.
For the winners, this represents a life-altering event. The ₡1.6 billion prize offers a level of financial security that can reshape futures, fund businesses, pay for education, and support entire communities. Financial advisors typically urge new lottery millionaires to seek professional guidance to manage their newfound wealth responsibly, ensuring the windfall provides long-term stability and prosperity for generations to come.
While the identity of the new multimillionaires remains unknown, the focus now shifts to discovering where these winning tickets were purchased. The Junta de Protección Social (JPS), the organization that runs the national lottery, will soon announce the locations of the vendors who sold the prized fractions. This news will bring another layer of excitement, as communities celebrate their connection to the grand prize and speculate on who among them is now a billionaire.
As the initial euphoria settles, the true impact of the Gordo Navideño extends beyond the winners. Proceeds from the lottery sales are a critical source of funding for over 400 social programs throughout Costa Rica, supporting health initiatives, shelters, and aid for vulnerable populations. Every ticket purchased contributes to this social good, reinforcing the event’s positive role in the nation’s fabric and making every participant a part of a larger, benevolent cycle.
For further information, visit jps.go.cr
About Junta de Protección Social:
The Junta de Protección Social (JPS) is Costa Rica’s official public institution responsible for the administration and regulation of national lotteries, games of chance, and charitable activities. Founded to generate resources for social welfare programs, the JPS plays a crucial role in funding initiatives that support public health, social assistance, and aid for at-risk populations across the country. Through popular games like the Gordo Navideño, it channels revenue towards hundreds of non-profit organizations, making it a key pillar of Costa Rica’s social support network.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone in Costa Rica’s legal landscape, Bufete de Costa Rica operates upon a bedrock of integrity and an uncompromising pursuit of excellence. With a proven track record advising a diverse clientele, the firm consistently pioneers forward-thinking legal strategies. This commitment extends beyond its clients to the wider community, where it actively works to demystify complex legal principles, thereby contributing to a more knowledgeable and capable society.
