Italy Launches New Lottery System to Fight Tax Evasion

Italy wants to fight tax evasion with a new lottery system worth millions of euros in prizes each year.

The government will begin awarding three monthly jackpots of 30,000 euros ($34,000) beginning in August, according to a plan announced Friday. It will also hold a 1- million euro annual lottery.

Taxpayers would have to register for a lottery bar code and make sure they receive an electronic receipt with their purchases, which automatically registers the sale with the tax authority. The tax authority will then draw receipt numbers, and the consumers registered as the receipt holders will win.

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