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Writer's picturePaul Burge

A nation of gamblers? - Spanish lotteries, bingo, casinos & their history - Podcast Episode 58

Updated: Jun 25, 2020



In this episode I put gambling in Spain under the microscope. Yes, betting is big business and there LOTS of way to gamble in Spain. I look at the numerous lotteries, bingo culture and of course casinos. I also examine the surprising history behind the evolution of gambling in Spanish society during the Franco regime and beyond.



Christmas Lottery tickets - El Gordo
Christmas Lottery tickets ´Décimos´

Did you know that Spain´s Lottery is the second oldest in world? Did you know that Spaniards bet a whopping 1.9 billion euros each year? And did you know that one of the most popular lotteries in Spain was set-up by General Franco to help people who had been blinded during the Civil War?



I´ll be looking at the numerous Lotteries, Bingo culture and of course Casinos and exploring the surprising history behind the evolution of gambling in Spanish society during the Franco regime and beyond.


State Lottery office in La Latina, Madrid
State Lottery office in La Latina, Madrid


I try to make sense of all the different lotteries as I head out into my neighbourhood in Madrid to buy my first ever lottery ticket. I chat to the seller for ONCE La Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles (The National Organization for Spanish Blind People) who explains all the lottery ticket options available - and yes it was confusing!



An ONCE lottery kiosk

Hopeful people queuing to buy a Christmas Lottery ticket from Doña Manolita
Hopeful people queuing to buy a Christmas Lottery ticket from Doña Manolita


Las Vegas bingo Hall in Madrid




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