The Junta de Protección Social (JPS) is an autonomous institution in Costa Rica dedicated to social welfare and philanthropy. Founded in 1845 as the Charity Board of San José, the JPS now operates nationwide, organizing the National Lottery and other games of chance, with proceeds funding various social programs.

Main Functions:

• Lottery Operations: The JPS manages ticket distribution, draws, and prize payouts for games like the National Lottery, Chances, and Nuevos Tiempos.
• Social Program Funding: Proceeds from JPS lottery games support programs for senior citizens, people with disabilities, at-risk children, and other vulnerable groups.
• Cemetery Administration: The JPS oversees the General Cemetery and Metropolitan Cemetery in San José, providing funeral services to the community.

Recent Developments:

• Online Sales Platform: JPS has launched an online platform allowing users to purchase lottery tickets and check results digitally, making access to its services more convenient.
• Fiscal Rule Impact: In June 2022, JPS encountered challenges in distributing funds to social projects due to fiscal restrictions, delaying the allocation of ₡10.8 billion to 139 projects.