Lottery receipts, here's who can win on August 13: prizes are tax-free

Italy’s lottery system for receipts, known as the “scontrini” lottery, will hold a double draw on August 13, offering prizes to both consumers and merchants who made purchases using non-cash payment methods during July and the week of August 3–9. The prizes are tax-free, according to officials overseeing the scheme. The first draw will cover all cashless transactions completed in July, while the second will reward those made between August 3 and August 9. Both sets of winners will receive tax-exempt prizes, which is a key incentive for participation. Consumers and merchants can win different amounts depending on whether they are part of the weekly or monthly draw. For the weekly draw, there are 15 prizes worth €25,000 each for consumers and 15 prizes of €5,000 each for merchants. In the monthly draw, 10 prizes of €100,000 each will go to consumers, with 10 additional prizes of €20,000 each for merchants. The lottery has been in operation since late 2020 and operates under consistent rules. Eligible participants must be Italian residents over the age of 18. To take part, individuals need to generate a unique lottery code through a dedicated website and present it to participating retailers at the time of purchase. This applies only to physical stores, not online shopping. Cash payments are excluded from eligibility. Each euro spent generates one virtual ticket for the lottery. If the amount spent exceeds one euro, any decimal portion above 49 cents will result in another virtual ticket. This means that larger purchases increase the number of entries into the draw. Winners have 90 days from the date of notification to claim their prize. After this period, unclaimed prizes will be transferred to the state treasury. Notifications are typically sent via certified email (Pec) if the recipient has provided an active address in their account section. Otherwise, winners will receive a registered letter with proof of delivery to either their residence or fiscal domicile, as recorded in the National Population Register (Anpr) or Tax Register. For merchants who win, priority is given to communication via Pec. Registered letters with proof of delivery will be used only if the certified email address is inactive or if the inbox is full at the time of notification. One of the main attractions of the lottery is the tax exemption on prizes. According to frequently asked questions published by the agency, “lottery prizes are not subject to taxation.” This makes the lottery particularly appealing to participants, as it removes the financial burden associated with winning large sums. The lottery aims to encourage electronic payments among consumers and support small businesses by rewarding them with monetary incentives. It also serves as a mechanism for the government to promote digital transactions and reduce reliance on cash. Participation requires careful attention to the rules and deadlines. Winners must ensure they provide accurate contact information and remain available to collect their prizes within the specified timeframe. Failure to do so results in the forfeiture of the prize to the state. The double draw on August 13 represents a significant opportunity for both consumers and merchants to benefit financially from their spending habits. With tax-free prizes up for grabs, the lottery continues to attract widespread interest across Italy.