Winning combination: Actor Jaime Camil steps in as host of 'Lotería Loca'

It’s been a long journey for Jaime Camil to get the spotlight to shine on the game lotería.

The award-winning actor was working on getting a game show made three years before he was contacted to host “Lotería Loca.”

“It’s been a labor of love,” he says. “I wanted to produce and host a game show around the lotería property for three years. I was talking to a producer friend and the show came up. We started talking about it. It’s crazy to see how the planets have aligned to bring this idea to TV. Here I am hosting and having fun.”

The show premiered on Oct. 2, and airs at 8 p.m. Mondays on CBS.

The wildly entertaining, action-packed new game show series is based on the immensely popular traditional Latin game of chance akin to bingo, that millions of Americans play every week.

Camil hosts alongside Latin Grammy Award-winning musician Sheila E., who serves as the band leader.

Each episode features two players going head-to-head choosing cards that can either add up to big prizes or reveal wild challenges, with each first-place player moving on to compete for the ultimate cash prize of $1 million.

Camil says though the game is found primarily in Mexican or Latin American homes, lotería is for everyone.

“I’d say close to every single Mexican family owns a set,” he says. “Americans are familiar with it, and maybe they aren’t connecting the dots. There are so many clothing brands that have lotería as inspiration. Once the audience recognizes it, they will get the show.”

Camil also gets to share the stage with Sheila E.

Winning combination: Actor Jaime Camil steps in as host of 'Lotería Loca'

“Sheila is so amazing,” he says. “I got sick a little during tapings and she texted me every single day. She’s such a kind human and kind soul. I was very lucky that she’s not only a great leader of the band, but we interact very well.”

Camil is known for his work on “Jane the Virgin,” as well as the Apple TV+ musical comedy series, “Schmigadoon!”

Camil is also set to co-star in the new season of the Apple TV+ comedy series “Acapulco.” Camil is also well-known for playing “the scene-stealing comedic bright spot” Rogelio de la Vega, the supremely vain, but totally well-meaning, famous telenovela star and Gina Rodriguez’s father on the Golden Globe-nominated CW series “Jane the Virgin.”

Camil also recently starred as iconic Mexican musician Vicente Fernández in the biopic series “El Rey” which premiered in the United States on Netflix, instantly becoming the most-watched new series in over 20 countries and featured 14 songs performed by Camil.

While Camil is excited to host the game show, he’s also patiently waiting for SAG-AFTRA negotiations to produce a new union contract.

“My brothers and sisters in this industry continue to hurt and fight the good fight,” he says. “Being able to host the series is bittersweet for me because I stand strong with them.”

When the actor’s strike is over, Camil is looking forward to returning to Santa Fe and New Mexico.

He filmed in the state and instantly fell in love.

“I miss it,” he says of New Mexico. “I really hope we shoot the sequel there. My family and I enjoyed it and I can’t wait to explore Albuquerque more since we spent more time in Santa Fe.”

Camil hopes that audiences will not only have fun with the new series, but learn about the game.

“This is for everyone,” he says. “Taping the shows was fun. I hope the audience can see the amount of fun we’ve had creating each episode.”