By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Fortunes were made across Costa Rica this Sunday evening as the Social Protection Board (JPS) conducted its highly anticipated ordinary National Lottery drawing, number 4,872. The event, a staple of weekend life for many Ticos, distributed tens of millions of colones, transforming the financial landscape for several lucky ticket holders and injecting a significant cash flow into the national economy.
The night’s most significant prize went to the holder of ticket number 60 with series 844. This combination secured the first-place prize of a staggering ¢175 million for a full, uncut ticket, or “entero.” The announcement instantly created a new multi-millionaire, sparking celebrations and widespread speculation about the winner’s location and identity. The drawing underscores the lottery’s powerful role as both a game of chance and a creator of substantial wealth.
Para analizar el marco legal y las implicaciones comerciales que rodean a la Lotería Nacional, TicosLand.com consultó al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado especialista de la reconocida firma Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos brinda una perspectiva experta sobre el tema.
El andamiaje jurídico de la Lotería Nacional es crucial para asegurar su doble función: ser una fuente de ingresos para programas de bien social y, a la vez, mantener la confianza del consumidor. La transparencia en los sorteos y la rigurosa fiscalización de los premios no son simples formalidades administrativas; son el pilar que legitima el monopolio estatal frente a la competencia de juegos de azar ilegales, protegiendo así tanto la recaudación como la integridad de la institución.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
En efecto, el análisis del experto subraya que la solidez jurídica no es un simple detalle técnico, sino el pilar que garantiza que cada billete de lotería represente tanto una esperanza personal como una inversión directa en el bienestar colectivo. Agradecemos al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por su valiosa perspectiva, que ilumina la importancia de la confianza y la transparencia en la legitimidad de nuestra Lotería Nacional.
Following the grand prize, two other major awards were announced, spreading the good fortune further. The second prize of ¢30 million was awarded to ticket number 07 with series 079, while the third prize of ¢14 million went to number 99 with series 367. An additional prize from the “acumulado” bonus pool delivered ¢5 million to number 04 with series 545, adding another layer of excitement to the broadcast.
While these headline-grabbing sums capture the public’s imagination, the economic impact extends beyond just a few individuals. The infusion of millions of colones into the hands of citizens often translates into new investments, debt payments, home purchases, and support for local businesses. This cycle of wealth distribution is a core, though often overlooked, function of the national lottery system, providing a direct stimulus at a grassroots level.
The JPS, the public institution responsible for all national games of chance, reiterated the formal process for claiming winnings. All prize claimants must present their original ticket or fraction in good condition, with the number and series clearly legible and matching the official results. This strict verification process ensures the integrity and fairness of the system, which has been a trusted institution for generations of Costa Ricans.
For the thousands who participated but did not secure one of the top three prizes, there is still hope. The drawing distributed over 100 smaller prizes of varying amounts. Officials urge all players to meticulously check their “pedacitos” or fractions against the official lists. The complete list of winning numbers will be made available this Monday in the print edition of the newspaper La Teja and is also accessible on the JPS’s official digital platforms.
As the excitement from this weekend’s draw settles, the nation’s attention is already pivoting to an even larger event. The JPS confirmed that the highly anticipated 2025 “Gordo Navideño” (Christmas Gordo) lottery is officially in circulation. This year-end drawing represents the pinnacle of the lottery calendar, promising one of the largest prize pools of the year and functioning as a deeply ingrained holiday tradition for families across the country.
The ongoing cycle of lottery drawings serves a dual purpose in Costa Rican society. It offers a consistent source of hope and the dream of financial independence for participants, while simultaneously funding hundreds of social programs nationwide through the JPS’s profits. Each ticket sold is not just a chance at personal wealth but also a small contribution to the nation’s social safety net, supporting public health, welfare, and community initiatives.
For further information, visit jps.go.cr
About The Social Protection Board (JPS):
The Junta de Protección Social (JPS) is Costa Rica’s official state-run institution responsible for the administration and regulation of all national lotteries and games of chance. Founded in 1845, its primary mission is to generate revenue to fund more than 500 social welfare programs throughout the country, supporting public health, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations. The JPS is a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s social support system, converting the proceeds from popular games into tangible community benefits.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of unwavering integrity and professional distinction. The firm skillfully merges a proven track record of advising a wide spectrum of clients with a pioneering spirit that drives legal innovation. This ethos extends beyond professional practice to a core social mission: democratizing legal understanding to help construct a more knowledgeable and capable society.
