About Spain: 11 - Your Lucky Number
The Game industry but specifically the lottery is a core element in the Spanish culture. Most popular lotteries are the state lottery “the big one” (el Gordo) and “the child” (el Ni?which pay the highest premium. The former is due before Christmas and the latter before the arrival of the three kings on the sixth of January. Both events have a mayor impact on societal live and the celebration of the winner is followed on television. “Where will it – the lucky number - fall this year,” is the big question. In which community, province, city or town?
Eleven is the “lucky” number for blind and others with a handicap. Eleven, in Spanish ONCE -- Organization National de Ciegos -- is the organization that issues lottery tickets which are sold by people with a handicap. These tickets are sold and issued daily with prices ranging from an euro to five million euros or more. it could be your lucky day.
The architecture of this organization is quite unique. People with a handicap have been unlucky in a certain way and they're offered a job in the lottery industry. This lottery business is a quite rational process. it's like an inverted insurer who pays only a percentage of the money that got contributed by people who insure themselves. Unlike a real insurer the lottery company can never loose. The individual changes for any real luck are “small”, but of course anyone can hit the big one.
Whereas the business behind the lottery is completely rational, participating as a client is much more emotional and psychological. People buy a ticket while they know that saving the money will give them more return on the long run, except for a single case in which you hit the bonus. Even when players don't receive a premium they at least have experienced a short journey of hope.
And as an outsider in Spain it's difficult to not get involved in this game of luck as you know that you're supporting those who have been less lucky…
© 2007 Hans Bool
Hans Bool writes articles about management, culture and change. If you're interested to read or experience more about these topics have a look at: Astor White or sign-up for our newsletter.
