The lottery administrations of Ibiza always receive a larger allocation for the draw than in the previous season, but this year, even the forecasts may be shorter than ever. A little more than two weeks before the special draw on December 22nd, and in the absence of the final rush in sales, historic sales in the Pitiusas are already predicted.

Imagen De La Cola De Ayer Para Comprar Lotería. | J.a.riera

Image of the queue yesterday to buy lottery. | J.A.RIERA

The owner of the mixed office Loterías Navarro de Sant Antoni, Andrés Navarro stresses that his business has sold 18% more than on the same dates of 2021, “which was already a very good year”. In comparison with the draws prior to the pandemic, he also indicates that, to date, the figures are above the rate of sales recorded in 2019.

Navarro, in addition to having his lottery office in the Plaza de España, is the delegate in the Pitiusas of Loterías y Apuestas del Estado, so he knows firsthand that this bonanza is shared across the board on both islands. “The average increase in many points of sale can be right now between 15 and 18%. A lot of lottery is still being consigned, because some places have sold out numbers, but until the 18th a more accurate assessment won’t be possible,” he explains.

Lottery benefits from reactivation of tourism

And why has the sale of lottery tickets skyrocketed? Navarro has no doubt: “Above all, due to the reactivation of tourism, but it is also influenced by the fact that in the end, the economy is stabilizing. People are very excited and eager to play,” he concludes.

Since the Christmas Lottery went on sale this year, on July 5th, Loterías Navarro has already recorded a very considerable increase in demand thanks to the increase in national tourism (“many have come and took large amounts”), which was maintained during July and August.

On the other hand, this year the impact of Imserso trips has hardly been noticed in Sant Antoni, when in previous seasons they were among the main customers: “They came to form large queues before the pandemic.” However, their fall has been more than compensated by the national seasonal tourism.

For the full article, please visit Diario de Ibiza website here.