Published on Monday, December 8, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Social Protection Board (JPS) will award an estimated $16 million jackpot in its annual “Gordo Navideño” Christmas lottery on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. The draw also includes dozens of additional prizes.

To win the top prize, players must match the correct two-digit number (00–99) and the correct three-digit series number (000–999).

JPS prints five identical sets of 40 tickets for each number-and-series combination. Each full set, known as an "entero," costs about $165. Players who purchase all five sets for $825 and match both the number and series will claim the full $16.3 million jackpot.

Individual tickets, known as "pedacitos" (little pieces), cost $4.10 each. A winning ticket for the first prize pays about $81,900.

In addition to the $16.3 million jackpot, the draw offers a second prize worth more than $1.6 million and a third prize exceeding $819,000. Another 150 prizes range from $50 to $300 per ticket for matching various combinations of numbers and series.

The game also includes an additional draw for the "acumulado," a separate prize pool that currently stands at $768,000. Extra prizes range from $500 to the top jackpot and are awarded based on new number-and-series combinations.

Anyone in Costa Rica, regardless of nationality, residency status, or whether they are a tourist, may buy printed lottery tickets.

All prizes are paid out immediately and are tax-free at the JPS headquarters in downtown San José or at any Banco de Costa Rica branch.

Residents, including foreigners with a DIMEX residency ID, may also buy tickets online through the JPS's webpage. The platform allows unlimited purchases, and winnings are deposited into the registered bank account within 24 hours.

Authorities urge buyers to purchase tickets only from official sales agents to avoid price gouging or counterfeit lottery slips.

According to JPS, revenue from the lottery supports social service programs and pays fees to lottery vendors.

The drawing will be held on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. It will air on state-owned Channel 13 and stream live on JPS's webpage.

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