Spanish grandmother wins lottery but can't collect winnings due to husband's ban

A 79-year-old grandmother in Spain is entangled in a bizarre situation after winning €35,000 in the lottery, only to find herself unable to collect her winnings. Carmen, who won the jackpot in August 2025, discovered she is listed on the general register of persons banned from gambling establishments.

The ban stems from a decision made by her late husband in 2012. According to one of the couple's daughters, her father was possessive and disliked Carmen playing bingo with friends, preferring she stay home. The husband allegedly falsified his wife's identity and signature in a letter to authorities, claiming she suffered significant financial losses due to gambling addiction and was experiencing temporary incapacitation.

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My father was a horrible husband. He was sexist and didn’t like my mother going to the community center bingo with her friends because it left him alone at home.

This inscription prevents Carmen from gambling or accessing gaming halls, rendering her lottery win inaccessible. Her lawyer and Carmen herself have filed an administrative appeal, which has brought to light that her husband used a non-standard form and made errors in her surname and date of birth. The case has now reached the High Court of Justice in Madrid, with efforts underway to annul Carmen's registration.

The Spanish lottery organization, ONCE, has stated that if the ban is officially or judicially annulled, the winner will receive her prize immediately. The situation, initially revealed by El País, highlights an unusual consequence of a deceased husband's actions impacting his widow's ability to enjoy her winnings.

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If the inscription is cancelled officially or judicially, the winner will receive her prize immediately.