An unprecedented €1.8 billion was spent by Portuguese people on lottery games in 2014, the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML) announced on Wednesday (April 22).
The sum represents a 5% increase compared on 2013, with 76% of Portuguese people playing at least one game last year.
SCML’s Fernando Afonso explains that although the number of money each person spends on each bet dropped 13.1% between 2012 and 2014, the number of gamers has actually increased 20%.
Euromillions and the ‘Raspadinha’ scratch tickets were the most popular flutters, accounting for 49% (€917 million) and 38% (€710 million) of Santa Casa revenue.
Of the €1.8 billion received, over one billion went towards funding prizes, while €537 million went to “good causes” in Portugal’s “social, health, sports and culture” sectors.
Government receives €145 million
Lottery games also generated €145 million for the government n 2014 – a 15% increase compared to 2013, reports Diário Económico.
Ever since new legislation was brought in in 2013, the government is entitled to 20% of any lottery prize over €5,000.
