Casa Testa

The Shop

The Casa Testa has existed since 1883, so it has been a decisive factor in our luck – or our lack thereof – for well over a century. There is an adjective in the Portuguese language, testudo, which describes not only someone who has a large forehead (testa) but is also stubborn. And there is a certain obstinacy to playing games of fortune. Once the so-called beginner’s luck has run out, you just have to keep on, and one sign of that phenomenon in the shop is a wooden drawer with three compartments full of the files of customers who always play the same numbers – and have done so for decades. Many bequeath said ritual to the following generation, and there are cases of children still playing using their parents’ numbers.

But the name Casa Testa does not necessarily refer to stubbornness; it is the name of the company founder, José R. Testa, who was a member of the financial elite in Portugal. It is his image that features on the imprint on the lottery tickets. In this shop, people have played in escudos and even in reis. Today the shop also sells both currencies as collectibles.