National Lottery expanded from 6 games to 141 in 6 years; gambling tax cut came before baby diaper tax reduction

Quick summary

The tax on games of chance was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent in January 2024, while the tax on baby diapers and hygiene products had been increased in July 2023. YENİ Party deputy Sarıgül documented that over 38 billion lire in games of chance tax was collected in the six months following the tax reduction.

Why it matters

While families are forced to pay higher taxes on baby diapers and hygiene products, the government reduced taxes on games of chance during the same period — this represents a fundamental contradiction in the government's budgetary priorities. As tax revenue from games of chance exceeds expectations (80 billion instead of 67 billion), high tax rates on essential products remain in place.

Key takeaways

• ›Milli Piyango's game offerings expanded from 6 in 2020 to 141 in 2024, with 56 new games added in the last 8 months.
• ›Gambling tax was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent on January 1, 2024, while baby diaper tax was increased on July 7, 2023.
• ›38 billion 630 million lira in gambling tax was collected over the last 6 months, with year-end total expected to exceed 80 billion lira.
• ›Horse racing tax was reduced from 14 percent to 7 percent, and sports competition tax from 10 percent to 5 percent.