If you receive welfare benefits, you must report any changes in your income to your local council. That also includes money you win from gambling. This may affect the amount of your benefit.
The amount of money you can win before it affects your benefit varies from one local council to another. Always check this with your contact person (case manager).
Important: Have you already spent or lost your winnings? Even then, you must report it. Are you not sure whether you need to report something? Report it anyway. This helps you to avoid problems later on.
Do you have savings, shares, or for example an additional home? That is called assets. A cash prize from gambling also counts as assets. If you have too much money or assets, you may no longer have the right to a welfare benefit.
These are the rules (in 2025):
Always discuss this with your contact person at your local council. This helps you avoid problems if you win money from gambling.
You might think your local council will not notice. They cannot simply look into your bank account. But if they suspect you are committing fraud and you do not cooperate, then:
The rules for welfare benefits can be complicated. Especially if you have won a prize, it can be hard to report it. But if you do not report it, the consequences can be very serious.
For example:
Do you receive a different benefit, such as a Wajong, WIA, or WW benefit? In that case, you may also need to report that you have won money from gambling. Always check the rules for your benefit carefully.
