Costa Rica Lottery Results

Costa Rica Lottery Games

Lotteries are considered an important part of Costa Rican culture, having been played in the country since 1845.

All lottery games are operated and administered by Junta de Proteccion Social, a Government-run organisation set up to administer lottery and scratchcard games to generate revenue for public health facilities and other good causes.

In addition to operating these lotteries throughout the year, Junta de Proteccion Social also runs special draws on Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Christmas Day, with vastly enhanced jackpots.

Loteria Nacional

Launched in 1885, Loteria Nacional is the longest-running lottery game currently played in Costa Rica, its main national lottery game.

Players enter Loteria Nacional by asking the lottery retailer for a series of tickets, which are each printed with a five-digit number. To win the maximum jackpot, players must match both the winning number and hold all tickets in the series. As such, it is more common for smaller jackpots to be won and shared between several people rather than a small number of people winning vast sums of cash.

La Loteria Popular

La Loteria Popular, also known as Los Chances, follows the same format as Loteria Nacional but offers lower value prizes. Secondary prizes are won by players who hold a ticket number within 1,000 of the jackpot winner. La Loteria Popular offers no additional games alongside the main draw.

Tiempos

Tiempos, or Nuevos Tiempos, was relaunched in June 2013 to replace the original version of the game. The main reasons for the relaunch were to make the game easier to play while also reducing illegal ticket sales and lottery fraud.

Players enter Tiempos by choosing a number between 00 and 99 or going for a Gallo Tapardo (Quick Pick) for a random selection.

The Tiempos jackpot is won by matching the exact number drawn, but it is also possible to win prizes by matching either of the numbers or the exact chosen number in reverse.

The Tiempos jackpot is determined by a player’s stake, with the potential jackpot ranging from CRC 7,000 to CRC 3.5 million as a result.

3 Monazos

Launched in 2019, 3 Monazos is Costa Rica’s newest lottery game, with draws held twice-daily at the same time as the Tiempos game.

Players enter 3 Monazos by choosing three numbers between 0 and 9, or they can opt for a Gallo Tapardo (Quick Pick) for a random selection. Each number is chosen independently, meaning players can choose the same number multiple times if they wish.

Like Tiempos, the jackpot is determined by the player’s stake, with the potential jackpot ranging from CRC 7,000 to CRC 10 million.

Lotto

Lotto is Costa Rica’s only traditional lottery game, with a 5/35 format.

Players can manually select their numbers or go for a Gallo Tapardo (Quick Pick) for five numbers chosen at random.

Three secondary prize tiers are available in addition to the jackpot, with Lotto also offering a Revancha game for the chance to win extra cash.

Costa Rica Lottery Game Schedule

The table below provides an overview of the schedule for each Costa Rican lottery game.

Costa Rica Lottery Odds and Jackpots

What are the Biggest Costa Rica Lottery Wins?

Costa Rica's biggest lottery win to date was CRC 1 billion in August 2018.

Is Tax Paid on Costa Rica Lottery Winnings?

A 10% tax is paid by the lottery operator on behalf of players, with prize winners not needing to declare their winnings as income.

Mobile Apps for Costa Rica Lotteries

How to Contact Costa Rica Lottery Operators

Contact information for each lottery operator is listed below.

How Can I Purchase Lottery Tickets in Costa Rica?

Lottery tickets are available from authorized lottery retailers across Costa Rica.

Can Overseas Players Play Costa Rican Lottery Games?

Not at present. However, visitors to Costa Rica can play lottery games and claim prizes if they win.

How Old Do I Have to Be to Play Costa Rican Lotteries?

Participants must be at least 21 years of age to play Costa Rican lotteries.

How Do I Claim Costa Rican Lottery Prizes?

Players have up to 60 days to claim their winnings.

Smaller prizes can be claimed from retailers, while more significant amounts must be claimed directly with the lottery operator.

How are the Proceeds of Costa Rican Lotteries Spent?

The lottery operator distributes funds to a variety of charitable causes across Costa Rica, with a specific focus on public health and the well-being and quality of life of those in poverty and social vulnerability.