Spanish state-owned lottery operator Sociedad Estatal Loterías y Apuestas del Estado (SELAE) has suspended all ticket sales following the countrywide lockdown of the Mediterranean country as it looks to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Having taken effect as of 15 March, the sale of tickets at all points of sale and online, as well as the payout of prizes valued at less than €2,000 has since been suspended and as result, all draws scheduled for 16 March onwards have also been postponed to a later date.
Although no date is yet to be announced as to when SELAE will lift its suspension, all tickets that have so far been purchased are set to remain valid for when the draws recommence.
With this being said, both the EuroMillions and El Millón draws, which are scheduled for 17 and 20 March, look set to go ahead as normal with the deadlines for claiming and collecting winnings set to be extended due to Spanish citizens being ordered to remain indoors.
Regarding prizes over the value of €2,000, it is believed that a number of financial institutions will be remaining open, in turn making it possible for prizes to be claimed, however, SELAE has recommended that players remain indoors and not go to these establishments for this purpose due to the extension of prize collection deadlines.
It is expected that the suspension to the lottery will run parallel to the country’s state of emergency declaration, which at this moment in time is set to be in effect for at least two weeks with citizens currently banned from leaving their homes unless for work or to buy essential supplies.