16 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025 How ONCE is Redefining the Social Economy and Reinventing the Role of State Lotteries Ángel Sánchez General Manager, ONCE (Spanish National Organization of the Blind) PGRI INTERVIEWS PGRI INTRODUCTION: The history of the ONCE Social Group is a singular example of how solidarity, organization, and innovation can transform the lives of thousands of people with disabilities in Spain. Its evolution has been shaped by a series of social, political, and economic milestones that have led to the creation of one of the world’s largest social economy organizations. At the end of the 19th century, blind individuals in various regions of Spain began organizing raffles as a means of subsistence. Later on, at the beginning of the 20th century, these initiatives gradually gave rise to coordinated efforts among different associations of blind people to legalize the sale of such draws. Finally, after several attempts, this process culminated on December 13, 1938, when the National Organization of the Spanish Blind (ONCE) was officially founded. Its mission was clear: to provide dignified employment for blind individuals through the sale of the “Cupón Prociegos” lottery ticket, under the auspices of the Spanish State. Thanks to the sale of its social, responsible, and secure lottery products, ONCE has progressively expanded its services over the years. These now include education, rehabilitation, access to culture, and vocational training for blind individuals, along with broader support for people with other disabilities. A pivotal moment came in 1988 with the creation of the ONCE Foundation, which extended ONCE’s social initiatives to encompass all people with disabilities, not only those with visual impairments. The foundation’s work focuses on training, employment, and universal accessibility, and is mainly financed by 3% of ONCE's lottery sales. Also at that time, companies began to be created by this Foundation and by ONCE itself, with the aim of generating sustainable employment for people with disabilities and thus raising awareness among Spanish businesses about integration in the workplace. In 2014, the business arm of the organization was consolidated under the ILUNION brand (a combination of Inclusion and Union), which brings together a group of social enterprises operating in sectors such as services, tourism, social and healthcare assistance, consulting, and the circular economy. Its objective is clear: to demonstrate that economic profitability can go hand in hand with social impact. In 2018, the concept of the ONCE Social Group was formalized, uniting ONCE, the ONCE Foundation, and ILUNION under a single, coordinated structure. This framework reflects a unified vision: to provide social services, generate employment, and promote inclusion under a common identity and shared mission. Today, the ONCE Social Group is: • An employer of over 77,000 individuals, making it the fourth-largest non-public employer in Spain and the largest employer of people with disabilities in the world. • An organization where 60% of its workforce—more than 45,000 employees—has some form of disability. • A group where 45% of employees are women, many of whom have disabilities, reflecting a firm commitment to gender equality. • An example of cultural diversity, with almost 100 different nationalities integrated into its workforce. • An international benchmark in social economy, inclusion, and accessibility. • A model of sustainable management, in which all profits are reinvested into social programs. The success of the ONCE Social Group lies in its unique formula: solidarity, professionalism, and a forward-looking vision. ONCE does not merely generate employment—it creates opportunity, dismantles barriers, and builds a more just society. Its model, unparalleled anywhere in the world, proves that profitability and solidarity not only coexist but mutually reinforce one another. I am grateful for this opportunity to share with you the vision of Ángel Sánchez and the leadership of ONCE. Its storied history is inspiring and thought-provoking. Let’s find out what the future holds for this ground-breaking enterprise called ONCE.
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