No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsArts and CultureCosta Rican Lottery Fever: Ticket Shortages and Overpricing Surge

Costa Rican Lottery Fever: Ticket Shortages and Overpricing Surge

Thousands of hopeful and eager Costa Ricans awaited the results of yesterday’s lottery draw, in which one of the two massive jackpots is guaranteed to be won. The excitement surrounding the draw has led to an unprecedented rush for lottery tickets, with virtually none left.

The Social Protection Board (JPS), the official body responsible for lottery operations, reported that their website showed no available tickets, highlighting the overwhelming demand. Since the beginning of the week, long lines have formed at various lottery stands throughout San José, as people vie for a chance to claim one of the grand prizes.

The surge in ticket demand has also sparked a wave of speculation and overpricing. Reports have surfaced of lottery tickets being sold for as much as ¢4,000 to ¢5,000 (approximately $7 to $9), significantly higher than the official price of ¢1,000 per ticket (about $1.80).

“I’ve been standing in line for hours because it’s the only way to buy at the official price. On the street, they are charging up to ¢5,000 (around $9) for a single fraction,” lamented one frustrated buyer.

This sentiment is echoed by hundreds of other lottery buyers who have formed long queues, some stretching nearly 100 meters, near the Central Bank and other downtown San José locations.

Regarding the overpricing issue, the JPS has received numerous reports of speculation across Costa Rica. They acknowledged the difficulty in controlling this problem and urged people not to pay inflated prices but to buy tickets at official points.

Vendors who charge a higher price than that or condition sales can be reported and face a permit suspension for up to 4 years. Karina Carmona, a JPS saleswoman, mentioned that sales have been brisk, with people requesting numbers based on dates, dreams, and even premonitions.

In this draw, the prize will be divided into 15 fractions instead of the usual 12. The first prize totals ¢1,800 million (approximately $3.2 million), paying out ¢120 million per fraction (about $214,000). The second prize, ¢1,075 million (approximately $1.9 million), pays ¢71 million per fraction (about $126,000).

Trending Now

Guns N’ Roses Kicks Off Latin Tour in Costa Rica at National Stadium

Rock fans across the country gear up for a night of hard-hitting music as Guns N’ Roses performs at the Estadio Nacional this evening....

US Marines Head to Panama Jungle for Joint Drills

US Marines plan to join forces with Panamanian security teams for a joint exercise in the country's thick jungle next month. The move comes...

5 Top Costa Rican Restaurants on TripAdvisor’s Best List

Costa Rica's restaurants have landed spots on TripAdvisor's global list of top dining spots this year. Five local places made the cut in the...

How the US Shutdown Could Disrupts Travel to Costa Rica

As the US federal government enters a partial shutdown starting today October 1, travelers heading to Costa Rica face potential hurdles. The impasse stems...

Tragic Blaze at Hotel Oriente Kills Five in Costa Rica Capital

A tragic fire ripped through the Hotel Oriente in central San Jose early this morning, leaving five people dead and sparking questions about building...

El Salvador Bans Inclusive Language in Public Schools

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has taken another step to reshape the country's education system. On Thursday, he declared a complete ban on what...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica