Voulis Street’s Lady Luck

The most popular lottery vendor to pick your ticket.

Athens has been the kind of city where a fortune could be waiting around the next corner since the 1920s – maybe in the form of a bundle of lottery tickets. There are your faithful punters who play on a weekly basis and your random passersby who may buy a single ticket, just like that, just in case. Georgia is one of the city’s more familiar lottery vendors and many consider her lucky. “They often tell me to pick their ticket for them. I close my eyes as I pluck it, supposedly so I won’t see the number and know whether they’ve won.”

After 44 years on the job, Georgia has seen dozens of lives changed in the blink of an eye. Some of her winners go crazy and hug her with joy; others become furtive, scared of putting a target on their backs by advertising their winnings. But “the money can’t be hidden and most can’t wipe the grin of victory off their faces.” Her winners don’t forget her. “In 2001 I sold the jackpot-winning ticket of 280 million drachmas (around 820,0000 euros). An elderly gentleman won; may he be well. He gave me a sizeable share of the winnings and I bought a house by the sea! In 2010 I again sold a 3-million-euro winning ticket to a customer who has been coming for years. Sweet child! I hope he enjoys it; he’s so young. He also gave me a share. They all do. As for myself, I’ve only ever won small amounts, but I don’t care. It’s enough for me that when people win, they remember me.”

Georgia is well into her 70s and has worked since the age of 26, yet she looks far younger than her years. She exudes a pleasant aura and has a bubbly way about her. How is it that you’re untouched by time? “I’ve never been to a doctor or taken medicine. I did some tests once and they told me I have the cells of a child! I have a good family, the love of an excellent husband and, of course, my work keeps me going. The people, the city; they give me life!

When all’s said and done, is there a trick to making it big? “It’s all about luck! Some people will buy tickets for years and never see a cent; others will try just the one time and strike gold!” On the day I met Georgia, the lottery had a 4.5-million-euro jackpot. Naturally I threw caution to the wind and grabbed the chance to become filthy rich. “Georgia, if I win and give you half the money, would you give it all up and stay home to enjoy some time with your grandchildren? “It would kill me!”

WHERE & WHEN
Ermou & Voulis streets, Syntagma. From 9.00 in the morning to 2.00 in the afternoon. Draws take place every Tuesday.