Support for Munich's welfare organisations
The origins of the Glückshafen go back to the founding years of the Oktoberfest.This makes it one of the oldest businesses on the Wiesn. The Glückshafen not only offers entertainment, but has always supported social projects. The popular game of chance is organised by the Munich Red Cross. The net profits go to Munich's charitable organisations.
The speciality: The oldest business on the Wiesn!
What almost everyone can afford today with a ticket price of 1 euro was created in 1816 out of charity for the poor. People were suffering from famine and so a lucky draw was organised. The idea was simple and is still valid today: with a small stake, you have the chance to win something of greater value - the prize. And if it doesn't work out, you have donated your stake to a good cause. The Red Cross still runs the lucky harbour today. It is the oldest operation at the Wiesn!
Fun, games and excitement for young and old
The Glückshafen is located directly behind the main entrance to the Oktoberfest on the left-hand side. You can also recognise the stand by the fact that it is usually surrounded by people. It is particularly exciting for children to buy a ticket and then open it with excitement. Have you drawn a blank or is there a winning number printed on it? The lucky winners then exchange them for large cuddly toys, comic figures or toys. The net profit from the ticket sales goes to the work of the Munich welfare organisations - Arbeiterwohlfahrt Kreisverband München Stadt, Bayerisches Rotes Kreuz Kreisverband München, Caritas der Erzdiözese München und Freising, Diakonie in München und Oberbayern e. V., Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband Bezirksverband Oberbayern, Israelitische Kultusgemeinde München und Oberbayern.
The lucky draw for Gscheidhaferl: a royal affair
In the 19th century, schoolchildren made raffle tickets out of paper and the main prizes were silver, porcelain or jewellery. Stockings, pipe bowls or small portraits of the king served as consolation prizes. In bad years, the royal family meant particularly well and bought large quantities of the small tickets to distribute among the needy.
Two locations at the Wiesn
There are two lucky draw locations at this year's Oktoberfest. Right next to the ‘Käfer Wies-Schänke’ in Matthias-Pschorr-Str. 16 (opposite the main entrance to the ‘Schützen-Festzelt’), the lucky harbour awaits ‘lucky knights’. The second lucky harbour ‘Haus Gloria’ is located on the Oiden Wiesn stand 14.
