We all love to read stories about big wins and imagine ourselves in the shoes of those winners. But, have you ever thought about what happens at that very moment after successfully beating the slot machine? Usually, the slot machine locks up and, in most cases, you hear the music and see the flashing lights on top of the machine. But one of the first questions every player asks is whether they have to pay taxes on casino winnings? Well, you’re about to find out!
Taxes on Slot Machine Winnings in USA
In the USA, when a lucky player hits a jackpot, there’s the option of receiving the winnings in cash or check. In case it’s a large sum, it’s usually paid by check. However, the IRS only obliges the casinos to report winnings that are larger than $1,200.
Of course, all winners are obliged to show a proper identification— a valid ID or passport. When the casino checks for your identification they also look at your age to make sure you are officially and legally old enough to play. As the minimum legal age for gambling varies from state to state, be sure to check it out before you decide to play.
Do I Have to Report All Winnings?
All gambling winnings received from slot machines are subject to federal taxes, and both cash and non-cash winnings (like a car or a vacation) are fully taxable. Apart from slot machines, the same applies to winnings from lottery, bingo, keno, poker or other games of chance. So, if the amount won on a slot machine is higher than $1200, the casino is required to report it. In other words, all your gambling winnings
have to be reported on your tax return as "other income" on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 8.
Slot Machine Winnings in W-2G Form
In case it happens to you and you snag that big win (which we hope one day you will), it’s useful to know that casino or other payer must give you a W-2G Form, listing your
name, address and Social Security number. So, if the winnings are reported through a W-2G Form, federal taxes will be withheld at a rate of 25%.
If, however, you didn’t provide your Social Security number (or your Tax Identification Number), in that case the withholding will be 28%. Either way, a copy of your Form W-2G should be issued, showing the amount you won alongside the amount of tax withheld. One copy needs to go to the IRS, as well.
Aside from slot winnings, Form W-2G is issued to winners of the following types of gambling activities like:
- bingo (for players who win $1,200 or more),
- keno (for at least $1,500 worth wins)
- poker tournament players (for the $5,000 win or more).
- a horse track (if the winnings are 300x your bet)
However, not all gambling winnings are subject to IRS Form W2-G. For instance, W2-G forms are not required for winnings from table games like blackjack, baccarat, and roulette, whatever the amount. You’d still have to report your winnings to the IRS, it’s just you won’t need to do it through W-2G Form.
Are My Slot Losses Deductible?
The good news is that
you can deduct your slot losses (line 28 of Schedule A, Form 1040), while the bad news is gambling losses are deductible only up to the amount of your wins. In other words, you can use your losses to compensate for your winnings. So, let’s say you won $200 on one bet, but you lost $400 on one or a few others, you can only deduct the first $200 of losses. Meaning if you didn’t win anything for a year, you won’t be able to deduct any of your gambling losses.
In order to prove your losses, you need to keep good records and have suitable documents. So, whenever you lose, keep those losing tickets, cancelled checks and credit slips. Your documentation must include the
amount you won or lost, a date and time, type of wager, type of your gambling activity, name of each casino/address of each casino you visited and the
location of their gambling business. You may as well list the people who were with you.
Do State and Local Taxes Apply Separately?
Yes, you are required to pay your state or local taxes on your gambling winnings. In case you travel to another state, and snag some huge winning combo there, that other state would want to tax your winnings too. But don’t worry, you won't be taxed twice, as the state where you reside needs to give you a tax credit for the taxes you pay to that other state.
Keep in mind though that some states like Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Ohio don't allow gambling losses.
Online Slot Taxes
Whether you usually spin the reels of your favourite casino games in land-based casinos in the US, overseas casinos, or online casinos, all income for the citizens of the US is taxable. As a US citizen, you are required to send Form W2G for all winnings from a slot machine (not reduced by the wager) that equals to or is more than $1,200.
Taxes on Slot Machine Winnings in UK
As a resident of the United Kingdom, your gambling winnings won’t be taxed. Unlike the USA mentioned above, you’ll be allowed to keep whatever it is that you have won and earned in Britain, even in case you are a poker pro. Then again, you won’t be able to deduct any losses you might collect.
It doesn’t really matter if you win £5 or £5 million playing online slots, your winnings will be tax-free as long as you reside anywhere in the UK, be that in England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland.
Taxes on Slot Machine Winnings in Canada
If you are a recreational player who lives in Canada, we have good news for you. When it comes to gambling, you don't have to pay taxes as your winnings are totally tax free. According to laws in Canada, gambling activities don’t fall under the category of constant source of income, therefore your winnings will not be taxed.
Canadians don't even pay taxes on their lottery winnings. The only exception here are professional gamblers who make a living from betting and are, therefore, obliged to pay taxes. Keep in mind though, this is the current situation - laws in Canada change frequently, which may also include tax laws.
Taxes on Slot Machine Winnings in Australia
In case you reside in Australia and like to visit casinos from time to time, you’ll be happy to find out that your winnings in Australia will not taxed and here are 3 core reasons for that:
- Gambling is not treated a profession (it's treated as a hobby)
- The government doesn’t see profits from gambling activities as income, but as a result of good luck
- The Australian government taxes casino operators and lottery organisers instead.
Of course, taxation varies from state to state.
Taxes on Slot Machine Winnings in New Zealand
Unlike in Australia, where even professional players can claim they are recreational, in New Zealand slot machine winnings (and any other winnings from casino games) are considered taxable income, in case the player has little income from other resources.
But, apart from professional gambling, it is
very unusual for winnings to be taxed in New Zealand. Most often, gambling is considered recreational and not income, so players can enjoy their gameplay as they do not have to pay taxes on their winnings.
The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has a different approach to your lottery winnings than the CRA, and considers all winnings to be taxable. As a Canadian winning a US lottery you would still be responsible for American tax obligations. With a lottery winning you would have to file a US tax return. Also if you hit the jackpot at a casino, a ... US Tax on casino winnings are taxable for residents of most countries. There are certain countries that are exempt from US tax on casino winnings. Canada is a unique case in that the treatment of gambling income follows the treatment of casino winnings in the USA. For residents of both the US and Canada, US tax on winnings is based on the gambling ... No - Canadians do not have to pay taxes on gambling winnings from horse racing, sports betting, lotteries, online casinos and any other games of chance. However, if you earn interest on your winnings, you must legally declare that on a T5 form. This interest is taxable. American citizens must report all types of income on their U.S. tax returns regardless of the country in which it's earned or received. There are some narrow exceptions to this general rule, but if one doesn't fit your situation, you have to report the entire lottery prize and will most likely pay tax on it. ... The information in this article applies to Canadian residents who are not US citizens, and are not US residents. Contest prizes and winnings from lotteries or gambling are not taxable in Canada, so this type of income does not have to be reported on your Canadian tax return, unless of course you are engaged in the business of gambling. Of course, we’re only talking about tax for gambling winnings in Canada. Recreational and professional Canadian gamblers who gamble in other countries are at the mercy of their host country’s gambling income tax laws. For instance, Canadians who win over $1,200 in an American casino must pay a 30% tax, which is usually withheld at the cashier. Now, what about gambling from a different country? Well, being a Canadian citizen doesn’t necessarily exempt you from paying taxes when playing in a different country where withholding taxes is enforced on online and offline winnings. For instance, when you play from the US, the authorities can withhold up to 30% of your winnings in tax. In fact, gamblers from Canada are allowed to play in any online casino they like, regardless of its location. Also, you will not be required to pay any taxes for your winnings most of the time, unlike in the US, where all winnings of $1200 or more are subject to a 30% tax. Under U.S. law, gambling winnings of U.S. persons over $1200 excluding winnings on blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette, and the big-6 wheel are considered taxable income. Whereas for Non-resident aliens including Canadians, their gambling winnings are subject to 30% withholding of the total win at source. The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers all winnings to be taxable. If you win a US lottery, you would have to file a US tax return and pay taxes on the prize. If you hit the jackpot at a casino, a good chunk of those winnings will be withheld by the casino to ensure your tax obligations are met before you even leave the country.
