Dreams of a large win in a lottery, casino or game show can shortly be little lucrative. The Ministry of Finance is preparing a crucial increase in the taxation on prizes and wins, which from 1 January 2026 will hit all fortunate individual – from player Totolotkott to associate in the tv competition. This is simply a change that can actually reduce the amount we will actually receive, even by thousands of zlotys, putting the cost-effectiveness of participating in many popular entertainments at question.
Higher Fiscal Charge: From 10% to 15%
According to the bill, marked with UD289, the rate of taxation on winnings and prizes is expected to emergence from the current 10 to 15 percent. This seemingly tiny difference, of only 5 percent points, will have a crucial impact on the final amount that will go into the winner's pocket. For example, with all 1000 PLN win, alternatively of 100 PLN tax, the taxation will charge 150 PLN, which means by 50 PLN less for the fortunate guy.
The scale of this change becomes even more visible at larger sums. With a win of PLN 10,000, alternatively of PLN 1000 tax, the winner will pay PLN 1500, which means PLN 500 little in the wallet. For prizes of PLN 100,000, the difference will be PLN 5000. These are the real amounts that many Poles planned to allocate for circumstantial purposes – from paying the loan, through the dream vacation, to buying the car. This change, although announced in advance, will surely surprise many players in the games of chance and competitions, who were accustomed to the erstwhile lower rate.
Who's fresh Rate gonna touch? Wide scope of changes
The fresh regulations will not miss virtually any form of winning. The increase will include all prizes and wins received within the European Union and the European economical Area. We are talking about a wide spectrum of activity – from conventional numbers games specified as Totoletek, winnings at land and online casinos, to awards in popular tv shows or radio competitions. This besides applies to cornerers in sales promotions, lotterys organised by banks or commercial networks, as well as in-kind prizes whose value will be taxed.
This broad definition means that anyone who succeeds in any form of competition or draw in the future will gotta face a higher taxation burden. Whether it is simply a fresh microwave from the supermarket competition, a car won in a promotional lottery, or millions of PLN from accumulation – The fiscal will scope for much of this joy. knowing this scope is crucial for any possible associate to avoid unpleasant surprises erstwhile receiving the award.
Why now? Reasons of the Ministry of Finance
The Ministry of Finance explains the request for an increase in the fact that the current rate of taxation on wins – 10 percent – has continued since 2001. For more than 2 decades, it has not been updated, even though there has been a crucial increase in the value of awards in media, banking or commercial competitions, as well as the amounts won in gambling. The Ministry argues that inflation and the dynamic improvement of the gaming and lottery marketplace have caused the current rate to cease to reflect economical realities.
The increase in the purchasing power of Poles and the increased turnover in the sector of games and betting are, according to the Ministry, factors justifying higher taxation. The draft bill, for which the Undersecretary of State Jarosław Neneman is responsible, is to be discussed by the Council of Ministers in the 4th fourth of this year. This is so an effort to bring the rules into line with the changing economical reality and increase revenues to the state budget, which, as is known, is always seeking additional sources of funding.
Not Only Wins: Wave of Raises Strikes Poles
The increase in the winning taxation is not the only change the Ministry of Finance is preparing. The same bill besides included a evidence of Increase in excise work on alcohol from 2026 to 1927. The hotel argues that the increase in purchasing power of Poles makes the current rates no longer reflect reality, and Poles can afford to buy more alcohol than a fewer years ago.
By comparison, 1798 bottles of beer could be purchased for an average wage in 2021, while 2103 bottles could be purchased in 2024. akin differences can be seen with wine and stronger drinks. This statistic is intended to justify expanding excise duties, which means that both fans of games of chance and consumers of alcohol will gotta pay more. This is simply a broader fiscal trend that points to the government's desire to increase budgetary gross by updating taxation and excise rates that have remained unchanged over the years.
Will fresh Taxes Discourage Players? The Question of the Future
The introduction of a higher winning taxation raises an crucial question about its possible consequences for the marketplace of games of chance and competitions. Will the increased fiscal burden of 15 percent discourage Poles from participating in specified activities? The psychology of gambling and participation in competitions is frequently based on a large win perspective, and Any decrease in the prize can reduce motivation. There is simply a hazard that the lower attractiveness of net prizes may lead to a decrease in the number of participants and consequently to a decrease in turnover in lottery and common betting companies.
In the end, alternatively of expanding budget revenues, a higher taxation can paradoxically lead to their decline. If less people play and the amounts traded in the gambling sector decrease, even a higher percent may not compensate for the failure in the taxation base. So it remains to watch how the marketplace responds to these changes and whether Poles, despite the greater contribution of the tax, will proceed to race with the same passion for happiness.
Read more:
The winning taxation will increase to 15%: How much will you lose on your fortunate ticket since 2026?
