Spanish lottery El Gordo expects record sales

Spain’s giant Christmas lottery, El Gordo (The Fat One), is expected to break records this year as cash-strapped Spaniards pin their hopes in a life-changing win and queue round the block for tickets.

Many would-be multi-millionaire punters say they are hoping to win so they can pay off debt or help relatives facing heavy economic burdens.

This Saturday the draw will hand out about Euro 2.5 billion in prizes. The top prize is about Euro 400,000 but there are expected to be hundreds or thousands of tickets awarded for that amount.

Many Spaniards form syndicates to improve their chances, making it common for multiple prize winnings to be achieved in one town or city neighbourhood.

Last year, the remote north-eastern town of Granen won all 1,800 tickets worth Euro 400,000 each .