What Romanians who play the Polish Lottery need to know. The government in Warsaw is preparing tax changes
Poland to increase tax on gambling winnings in 2026 The government in Warsaw has announced its intention to increase the tax rate on gambling winnings as part of a wider plan to amend the Excise Act and the Income Tax Act.
It is known that many Romanians play Loto Polonia, and one Romanian even “broke the bank”. It is about Robert Gheorghe, president of the FC Voluntari football team, which won over one million lei in two years.
Ilfovean appears in the top of the most valuable winning lottery tickets. With the amount of 490,000 lei, it takes the 2nd place, where the ticket with the following 6 lucky numbers: 15, 20, 33, 60, 65, 66, won.
Gherghe's total Loto Polonia winnings are 230,000 euros, after hitting Loto Polonia twice. In his wealth declaration, the respective incomes appear with the mention “Loterie, Loto Polonia”, with the amounts of 490,000 lei in 2025 and 620,000 lei in 2024. So, over 1,000,000 lei collected in two consecutive years.
Unlike Loto 6/49, in Romania, in Poland, 20 numbers are drawn from 1 to 80. There are two draws per day, at noon and in the evening, and you can even bet on a single number, which if it is among the 20 drawn, then the player receives 3.77 times the bet amount. For two numbers, the odds are 15 and then increase with each added number.
Tax increases to 15%
If approved, the new measure will take effect on January 1, 2026, raising the current flat rate of earnings tax from 10% to 15%.
The bill, drafted by the Ministry of Finance and Economy under the supervision of Undersecretary of State Jaroslaw Neneman, is currently being evaluated and is expected to be discussed by the Council of Ministers in the last quarter of the year.
The increase will not only affect winnings from sports betting and casinos, but will also apply to prizes from contests, company lotteries and trade promotions.
In Poland, winnings exceeding PLN 2,280 are already subject to taxation, and the higher rate could significantly affect regular players in particular.
The Polish gambling taxation system has long been the subject of criticism, both from operators and players.
Currently, in addition to the winnings tax, a tax of 12% of the value of each individual bet is already in place.
Introducing an even higher tax rate could make legal gambling increasingly less competitive, penalizing the entire sector.
The government, for its part, justifies the measure by the need to increase tax revenues and balance the budget, but the gambling industry is concerned about the development of regulations.
Final approval of the bill is expected by the end of the year.
