Not Every Contestant Takes Home Their Winnings
One would think that if you win a prize on a game show you would get to go home with the prize. Apparently, things are not so simple. Unfortunately, money that you win on a game show is considered taxable income. Meaning that winners need to pay taxes on their winnings.
Depending on the size of the prize, the amount of taxes can be pretty steep. Some contestants have even refused to accept their winnings at all. One winner decided not to redeem his 10,000-dollar prize, when he learned that he would have to give half of the money to his ex-wife.