Spanish BonoLoto
BonoLoto is Spain's second-tier national lottery, run by Loterías y Apuestas del Estado (the Spanish state lottery operator) since 1988. It draws three times per week and sits between the smaller daily games and the larger La Primitiva in Spain's lottery hierarchy.
How the Draw Works
BonoLoto uses a 6-from-49 format. Players choose 6 numbers from 1 to 49. The draw then selects 6 main numbers and 1 additional bonus ball from the same pool of 49.
The bonus ball creates an extra winning combination. If your ticket matches 5 of the 6 main numbers plus the bonus ball, you win second prize, which often pays more than matching all 6 main numbers in tier 3.
Tickets cost 1.50 euros each. You can play a single line or request multiple lines on one ticket. The draw process uses mechanical ball machines with no computerized number generation involved.
Prize Tiers and Odds
BonoLoto has six prize categories based on how many numbers you match:
Category 1 (6 main numbers): The jackpot. Odds: 1 in 13,983,816. This tier rolls over if no ticket wins and funds the next draw's jackpot.
Category 2 (5 main + bonus ball): Second prize. Usually the second-largest payout. Odds: 1 in 2,330,636.
Category 3 (5 main numbers, no bonus): Odds: 1 in 55,491.
Category 4 (4 main numbers): Odds: 1 in 1,032.
Category 5 (3 main numbers): Odds: 1 in 57.
Category 6 (2 main numbers): Odds: 1 in 10. This tier often pays the cost of the ticket or slightly more.
The probability of winning any prize across all categories is 1 in 7. Roughly 45 percent of ticket revenue goes to prizes, with the remaining split between operator costs and tax.
Draw Schedule and Timing
BonoLoto draws occur three times each week: Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Draw times are fixed at 21:30 CET (Spanish mainland time), with results published shortly after.
Ticket sales close 30 minutes before each draw. This schedule differs from La Primitiva, which draws on Thursday and Sunday only, giving BonoLoto more frequent chances to play.
Expected Value and Odds Context
The expected value of a 1.50 euro BonoLoto ticket is approximately 0.68 euros, based on a 45 percent prize payout rate. This means the house edge runs about 55 percent, in line with most European state lotteries.
Your expected loss per ticket is roughly 0.82 euros. Over 100 tickets, you would expect to recover about 68 euros in prize money.
Syndicate play reduces variance. If 10 players share tickets, you reduce the minimum return for a top prize by a factor of 10, but you also divide any jackpot win equally. Syndicates improve your odds of hitting smaller prize tiers more often but lower your return per win at the top end.
Tax Treatment
In Spain, lottery winnings are subject to withholding tax. Prizes of 2,500 euros or more have tax deducted at source before payment. The standard rate is 20 percent on amounts over that threshold.
For BonoLoto specifically, winnings below 2,500 euros are paid without withholding tax. Above that, 20 percent is withheld by the lottery operator and remitted to the Spanish tax authority. Players do not need to report these winnings separately on their annual income tax return unless they win exceptionally large sums, as the operator has already fulfilled the tax obligation.
Non-residents of Spain may face different rules depending on their home country's tax treaties with Spain. Verification of residency may be required at claim time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between BonoLoto and La Primitiva?
Both are Spanish state lotteries using 6-from-49 formats, but BonoLoto draws three times per week (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday) while La Primitiva draws twice (Thursday, Sunday). BonoLoto has a lower ticket price (1.50 euros vs. 2 euros for La Primitiva) and typically smaller jackpots. La Primitiva is Spain's primary national lottery with larger prize pools. BonoLoto suits players who prefer more frequent draws at lower cost.
How do bonus balls affect my odds of winning?
The bonus ball creates one extra winning combination: matching 5 main numbers plus the bonus ball. This combination usually pays second prize or sometimes more than matching all 6 main numbers without the bonus. The bonus ball increases your chances of winning a mid-tier prize but does not improve your odds of hitting the jackpot itself. It's a separate tier, not an automatic upgrade.
What happens if no one wins the jackpot?
The BonoLoto jackpot rolls over to the next draw. All unclaimed prize money from category 1 (6 main numbers) feeds into the next draw's jackpot pool, causing it to grow. Jackpots can accumulate over several draws if no ticket matches all six numbers. This rollover mechanism has created some of BonoLoto's largest payouts in its history.
Will I owe income tax on a BonoLoto win?
Winnings under 2,500 euros are tax-free in Spain. Winnings at or above 2,500 euros have 20 percent withheld by the lottery operator before you receive your payment. Non-residents may have different obligations depending on their home country. The operator handles withholding tax, so you do not need to file a separate claim for Spanish residents on standard lottery wins.
What are my overall odds of winning any prize on BonoLoto?
Your odds of winning at least one prize (any tier, including matching 2 numbers) are 1 in 7. This includes the small category 6 tier that often returns your stake or slightly more. Odds of winning a significant prize (category 3 or higher, matching 5+ numbers) are much lower, around 1 in 56,500.
How often does BonoLoto draw, and when do sales close?
BonoLoto draws three times per week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 21:30 CET. Ticket sales close 30 minutes before each draw. This schedule gives players more frequent chances than twice-weekly lotteries. Results are published within minutes of the draw.
