(Newser)
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Endless recession or not, Spain's crazy-huge lotteries go on: The traditional Jan. 6 lottery known as El Niño today showered $1.1 billion on those lucky enough to have the winning numbers, reports the AP. The lottery isn't even Spain's largest (a Dec. 22 lotto known as El Gordo handed out $3.3 billion last year) and is pegged to the day that the three kings arrived in Bethlehem, bearing gifts for the baby Jesus. One small nod to austerity: Winners of more than $3,250 have to fork over 20% in income tax. Top tickets were worth $260,240. "I am very excited because I really needed this," says one woman.
