Lottery Draw Has Nation On Hold For the Results
Did you win the lottery?  No, well, there is always next year.

At 7:37pm, Rosibel Alvarado, an official with the Junta de Protección Social (JPS), couldn't help but smile when she announced the winning number for the 'premio mayor' (major prize), which is ¢350 millin colones (us$707.000), but holding back from last year's scream of "here it is!". This year, Rosibel was calmer in announcing the first prize in the year end lottery.

According to JPS, the winning ticket number and series was sold in the provinces Catatago, San José, Puntarenas and Alajuela. Winners now have 60 days to claim their 61.005 prizes that are a direct and indirect result of a combination of series and numbers.

To win the complete prize in each category, the series and numbers have to match. Each Gordo Navideño is made up of 40 fracciones. Holders of fracciones split the prize money depending on the number of fracciones. Holders of just the number of a ticket or fraccion get a small percetange of the prize in each category.

The event is a public event held each year that combines the lottery draw and entertainment for the thousands hat come downtown to see the event live, the rest stay glued to their television sets to watch the numbers tumble and fall.

Last night, the musical group Kalúa entertained the crowd for 90 minutes in between the lottery draw.

Holders of winning lottery tickets can cash them in at the JPS office or any branch of the Banco Nacional or Banco de Costa Rica. JPS officials say that all 500.000 tickets were sold this year.

If luck wasn't on your side last night, there is the 'consolation' draws of December 24 and December 31.