Ticket buyers poured $ 1 billion into Spain 's lottery known as El Gordo . Despite a widespread sense that money is n't flowing and bank loans are hard to get in Spain 's financial crisis -- with nearly 20 % unemployment and a deep deficit that has prompted government austerity measures -- Spaniards and others from abroad `` invested '' about $ 4.3 billion into the Christmas lottery this year . The lottery paid out $ 1 billion in prizes . Despite Spain 's depressed economy , sales were brisk .
Ticket buyers poured $ 1 billion into Spain 's lottery known as El Gordo . The lottery paid out $ 1 billion in prizes . Despite Spain 's depressed economy , sales were brisk .