Pennsylvania Tax On Gambling Winnings
Pennsylvania state taxes for gambling In addition to federal taxes payable to the IRS, Pennsylvania levies a 3.07% tax on gambling income. You should report your Pennsylvania taxable winnings on PA-40 Schedule T (PDF). Note that you cannot subtract gambling losses from your winnings on your Maryland tax return.Answers are correct to the best of my ability but do not constitute tax or legal advice. 0.
- Pa Tax Rate On Gambling Winnings
- Pennsylvania Tax On Gambling Winnings
- Massachusetts Tax On Gambling Winnings
- Does Pennsylvania Tax Gambling Winnings
- Horse racing (1963), Lottery (1972), Bingo (1981), Slot Casinos (2004), Table Games (2010)
- $2.8 billion
- $6.8 billion
- 18 for lottery, bingo, and racing, 21 for casinos
- Pennsylvania permits casinos to set aside a percentage of the floor for smoking areas
- Horse racing is the only form of legal online gambling
Pennsylvania is the second largest casino state in terms of gambling revenue. Most of the state’s casinos are racetracks with attached casinos. There are three resort-style Pennsylvania casinos. Those offer fewer slots than the main gaming establishments in the state. This is unusual compared to most other states where casinos offer amenities. Most Pennsylvania casinos offer little more than gambling on slots, video poker, and table games.
Casinos are not the only forms of Pennsylvania gambling within the state. There is a state lottery that sells instant games and holds lotto drawings. There are live horse racing and off-track betting. Charities may hold limit games of chance to raise funds.
However, you can also apply the same tax withholding structure for your gambling winnings that you apply to other types of income. The income tax rate is 24% on all types of gambling profits, but there are certain sources of these winnings that are automatically subject to withholding tax. In addition to interest, dividends, business and rental income, gambling and lottery winnings and income reported on Form 1099-Misc taxable to Pennsylvania, below are additional items of taxable income that must be added. Employer provided fringe benefits, unless excludable. PA will tax online slot revenue at 54 percent, more than twice the rate at which operators say they feel comfortable. Slot play accounts for around three-quarters of total online gambling revenue in existing markets. By way of another comparison, New Jersey taxes online slot revenue at 17.5 percent. A high bar to entry for casinos too.
Paying Gambling Taxes in Pennsylvania
Do you have to pay taxes on your gambling winnings? OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos has gathered everything you need to know about paying taxes on your gambling winnings straight from a Certified Public Accountant. For more information please visit our exclusive Gambling Taxes article.
Pa Tax Rate On Gambling Winnings
Pennsylvania Casinos Map & Guide
- Harrah’s
- Parx Casino
- Rivers Casino
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Types of Pennsylvania Online Gambling Allowed
There is only one form of legalized online Pennsylvania gambling. That is off-track betting on horses. Sites like TVG, TwinSpires, and XpressBet partnered with Pennsylvania tracks to offer this service over the Internet and on mobile apps.
Daily fantasy sports sites claim to be legal in Pennsylvania. There is no law on the books that expressly states that. The companies claim to be skill gaming sites. There are bills under consideration by the Pennsylvania Legislature that would make daily fantasy sports a regulated and legal activity. DraftKings, FanDuel, CBS Sports, and Yahoo! are among the sites that accept Pennsylvania players.
Types of Live Pennsylvania Gambling
- Slots: Yes
- Blackjack: Yes
- Poker: Yes
- Craps/Roulette: Yes
- Horses: Yes
- Lottery: Yes
Pennsylvania gambling offers nearly every form of betting they want in the state. Pennsylvania casinos started out only offering slots, video poker, and electronic table games. That expanded to live poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, and nearly any house-banked card game one can imagine. There are 12 Pennsylvania casinos with one more in the planning stage.
There are seven racetracks in Pennsylvania. These offer live racing and race books. These tracks moved into the casino business. That helped keep the racing industry above water.
The Pennsylvania Lottery sells scratch-off tickets and lotto drawings. These are available at thousands of convenience stores across the state. There are Pennsylvania-only lotto drawings that include Pick 2, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Cash4 Life, Cash5, and Match 6. The Pennsylvania Lottery also participates in multi-state lottery drawings. These are Powerball and Mega Millions.
Bingo is permissible if spread by a charity. There are more than a dozen licensed bingo halls in the state.
Pennsylvania Gambling Laws
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is permitted to issue 14 casino licenses. Seven were guaranteed to the state’s racetracks. There were five standalone Pennsylvania casino licenses awarded. Two resorts receive licensure. A third resort will receive a license in 2017 to bring the total to 15 Pennsylvania casinos within its borders.
Casinos in Pennsylvania pay a tax rate of 55 percent on slots, video poker, and electronic table games. Live poker and table games have a tax rate of 16 percent.
Charities may apply for a bingo license. These cost $100 and are active for one year. Bingo games may have no prize larger than $250 for a single game except for the jackpot drawing. That bingo game may have a $2,000 prize pool. The largest amount of money that may be awarded in one day by a bingo charity is $4,000. Bingo halls may not spread more than two nights of action a week. Exceptions are made for charities that only hold annual celebrations. These nonprofit groups can hold 10 consecutive days of bingo games.
The Pennsylvania Lottery may only spread two types of games. One is instant games, sometimes referred to as scratch-off tickets. The other is lotto drawings. The Pennsylvania Lottery holds its own drawings as well as joins multi-state pools.
Horse racing is active in Pennsylvania. Seven tracks are licensed to offer live races. Each has a race book. Horse racing tracks may partner with online betting apps for remote wagering. Players may make deposits and withdrawals at the partner tracks.
The minimum Pennsylvania gambling age is 18 years of age, except for casinos, where the minimum gambling age is 21. Bingo participants may be under 18 if accompanied by an adult.
List of Pennsylvania Casinos
There are 12 Pennsylvania casinos open and currently operating. Seven are at racetracks that also offer live and simulcast betting, and the rest are casino resorts.
Racino | Size | Address | Website |
---|---|---|---|
Harrah’s – Philadelphia | 2,000 Slot Machines | 777 Harrah’s Blvd. | www.caesars.com |
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course – Grantville | 2,450 Slot Machines | 777 Hollywood Blvd. | www.hollywoodpnrc.com |
Lady Luck Casino – Farmington | 600 Slot Machines | 4067 National Pike | www.isleofcapricasinos.com |
Mohegan Sun Pocono – Plains Township | 2,300 Slot Machines | 1280 Pennsylvania 315 | www.mohegansunpocono.com |
Mt. Airy Casino – Mount Pocono | 1,800 Slot Machines | 312 Woodland Rd. | www.mountairycasino.com |
Parx Casino & Racing – Bensalem | 3,500 Slot Machines | 2999 Street Rd. | www.parxcasino.com |
Presque Isles Downs – Erie | 1,700 Slot Machines | 8199 Perry Hw | www.presqueisledowns.com |
Rivers Casino – Pittsburgh | 2,900 Slot Machines | 777 Casino Dr. | www.riverscasino.com |
Sands Casino – Bethlehem | 3,000 Slot Machines | 77 Sands Blvd. | www.pasands.com |
SugarHouse Casino – Philadelphia | 1,600 Slot Machines | 1001 N. Delaware Ave. | www.sugarhousecasino.com |
The Meadows Racetrack & Casino – Washington | 3,000 Slot Machines | 210 Racetrack Rd. | www.meadowsgaming.com |
Valley Forge Casino – King of Prussia | 600 Slot Machines | 1160 1st Ave. | www.vfcasino.com |
History of Pennsylvania Gambling
Horse racing was the first form of legalized gambling in Pennsylvania. Its regulation started in 1964. The racing industry dated back more than 200 years before that. Dozens of tracks operated off the book races where the betting was handled through underground networks. It took until 1964 for the state to determine it was better off regulating and taxing the racing industry than to let it operate without any oversight.
The Pennsylvania Lottery was created by Act 91 on August 26, 1971. The first lottery ticket was sold on March 7, 1972. It was a half-dollar drawing with a $1 million grand prize. The Pennsylvania Lottery joined interstate drawings on June 27, 2002.
The Racehorse Development and Gaming Act was signed into law by Governor Ed Rendell on July 5, 2004. This permitted racetracks to add slots, video poker and electronic table games. It was created to help save the state’s racing industry. Table games and live poker were added in January 2010.
The new table games helped Pennsylvania’s gambling industry explode. The state surpassed New Jersey as the second highest state in terms of gaming revenue in 2012. Pennsylvania has retained that title ever since. Nevada is the only state with more gaming revenue than Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania looked again to expand gambling in 2013. This time, it was over the Internet. Multiple attempts have included online poker and casino games. None has reached the assembly or senate floor for a vote.
The Pennsylvania Legislature is also looked to expand gambling to daily fantasy sports in 2016. Those talks have also failed to produce a new law regulating and taxing the contests.
Pennsylvania Casinos & Gambling FAQ
How old do you have to be to gamble in Pennsylvania?
The minimum Pennsylvania gambling age is determined by the types of gambling they want to use. Lottery and racing players must be at least 18. Pennsylvania casino players must be 21 years of age or older. Bingo players must be at least 18 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Slots, video poker, electronic table games, live poker, blackjack, baccarat, Pai Gow, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Let it Ride, Mississippi Stud Poker, Texas Hold’em Bonus and Caribbean Stud Poker are among the approved games at Pennsylvania casinos.
Yes. All seven horse racing tracks in Pennsylvania offer race books.
The only form of online gambling legal in Pennsylvania is off-track betting on horses.
Are daily fantasy sports contests legal in Pennsylvania?
State law does not cover daily fantasy sports. Sites like DraftKings, FanDuel, CBS Sports and Yahoo! claim that the contests are skilled games.
What state is the second highest in casino revenue?
Pennsylvania generates more gaming revenue than any other state except Nevada.
What games are offered by the Pennsylvania Lottery?
The Pennsylvania Lottery sells scratch-off and lotto tickets.
After the thrill of collecting gambling winnings, comes questions about taxes.
Yes, gambling income, which includes winnings from slots, table games, horse racing, sports betting, lottery games, jackpots, and the like, is considered taxable income. As such, you are required to report them on your tax return. The car, boat, or Harley Davidson and other noncash prizes also need to be reported.
There are plenty of questions surrounding Pennsylvania taxes and gambling winnings. Now there are even more with the advent of sports betting, betting apps, and online casinos in Pennsylvania.
Here are some answers.
How much are my gambling winnings taxed?
Casinos withhold 25% of winnings for those who provide a Social Security number. If you do not provide your Social Security number, the payer may withhold 28%.
Currently, Pennsylvania’s personal income tax is a flat tax rate of 3.07% which applies to all taxable income, including gambling and lottery winnings. PA has the lowest rate of all states with a flat tax.
The new regular withholding rate
Effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, the withholding rate under Section 3402(q) applicable to winnings of $5,000 or more from sweepstakes, wagering pools, certain parimutuel pools, jai alai, and lotteries (formerly 25%) is 24%.
Federal Form W-2G, Certain Gambling Winnings
The organization that pays the winnings, in most cases, the casino, is responsible for sending the recipient of the winnings Form W-2G, Certain Gambling Winnings.
Form W-2G reports the amount of winnings to you as well as to the IRS.
The payer is required to send Form W2G only if the winner reaches the following thresholds:
- The winnings (not reduced by the wager) are $1,200 or more from a bingo game or slot machine
- The winnings (reduced by the wager) are $1,500 or more from a keno game
- The winnings (reduced by the wager or buy-in) are more than $5,000 from a poker tournament
- The winnings (except winnings from bingo, slot machines, keno, and poker tournaments), reduced by the wager, are:
- $600 or more, and
- At least 300 times the amount of the wager
- The winnings are subject to federal income tax withholding (either regular gambling withholding or backup withholding)
How to report PA gambling winnings on taxes
According to the IRS, you must report the full amount of your gambling winnings each year on your federal taxes. First, you report gambling winnings as
You may receive a Form W-2G showing the amount of your gambling winnings and any tax withheld. Include the amount from box 1 as “Other Income” on Form 1040, Schedule 1 (PDF).
That number then goes on your U.S. Individual Income Tax ReturnForm 1040 (PDF), line 7a (designated “Other Income”). You should attach the Schedule 1 form to your Form 1040.
Include the amount shown in box 2 on the W-2G on line 17 (designated as federal income tax withheld) of your Income Tax Return (Form 1040).
Pennsylvania state taxes for gambling
In addition to federal taxes payable to the IRS, Pennsylvania levies a 3.07% tax on gambling income.
You should report your Pennsylvania taxable winnings on PA-40 Schedule T (PDF). Include the total winnings from line 6 of Schedule T on your Pennsylvania Income Tax ReturnPA-40 (PDF), line 8 (“Gambling and Lottery Winnings”).
If your gambling winnings come during a trip to another state or country, you are still required to report.
Michelle Malloy, Esq. at AUA Capital Management, LLC in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, commented:
“Pennsylvania takes the position that they are entitled to tax a portion of your worldwide income based on certain income items (wages, interests, dividends, capital gains, gambling winnings, lottery winnings, etc).”
What if I don’t receive a Form W2-G?
If you did not receive Form W-2G, your winnings are still considered taxable income and should be reported. A payer is required to issue you a Form W-2G if you receive certain gambling winnings or have any gambling winnings subject to federal income tax withholding.
According to Malloy:
“You are required to report all gambling winnings for federal and Pennsylvania taxes. If you hit a certain threshold they (the casino) will withhold money. In the instance where a casino doesn’t do their job and and fails to send you a W2-G you are still required to report your winnings, or you run the risk of underreporting your taxable income for the year.”
Do I have to pay taxes if a group of people win the lottery?
What happens when a group of coworkers chip in on a lottery ticket that wins? What about you and a friend who put money on a long-shot team to win the championship?
Meet Form 5754 (PDF). Payers use this form to prepare Form W-2G when the person receiving gambling winnings subject to reporting or withholding is not the actual winner or is a member of a group of two or more people sharing the winnings.
Don’t send Form 5754 to the IRS. Keep a copy for your records and return the form to the payer (usually the casino) for preparation of Form W-2G for each person listed as winners.
Are there any deductions available for taxes related to gambling?
Gambling losses can be deducted. However, they must be itemized on line 28 of Schedule A, Form 1040.
Also, you cannot deduct more than your winnings.
Expenses related to any gambling or lottery activities, (like your dinner at the steakhouse, celebratory drinks from the bar, or cost of hotel room) cannot be deducted.
If you are going to deduct gambling losses, keep these records:
- The date and type of each wager
- The name and location of the bet
- The amount won or lost
- Wagering tickets
- Canceled checks
- Credit card records
When using a players club/members card, casinos can track players’ spend. Therefore, you can request a win/loss report that will give you a fairly good sense of your activity in a casino. Online casino players can request the same report and most sites should be able to provide it without issue.
“A lot of people may under-report,” explained Malloy. “They might win $10,000 but have $3,000 of expenses so they think they are just going to report $7,000. That can be an issue, as Pennsylvania does not allow a deduction for expenses. If you win a lot of money in June, for example, you might want to make an estimated tax payment [due Sept. 15 and Jan. 15] so you don’t have an underpayment penalty the following April.”
How to claim gambling winnings and/or losses
Pennsylvania provides a helpful resource to determine how to claim gambling winnings and/or losses.
There is a prompt where you can start a ten-minute interview.
Be sure to have the following information ready:
- Your and your spouse’s filing status
- Amount of your gambling winnings and losses
- Any information provided to you on a Form W-2G
Taxes on multistate lotteries
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue considers multi-state lottery prizes, like those from Powerball and Mega Millions, awarded on tickets purchased through a licensed Pennsylvania state lottery ticket vendor, a prize by the Pennsylvania Lottery.
“Such prizes are considered Pennsylvania source income and both residents and nonresidents are subject to tax on such income if the prize is a cash prize. Multistate lottery prizes awarded on tickets purchased through a vendor in another state lottery are considered prizes awarded by that state lottery. Such prizes are not considered Pennsylvania source income and only residents are taxed on such income regardless of whether the prize is a cash or noncash prize.”
Due to a 2016 law change, any cash prize won from a Powerball of Mega Millions ticket in any state is taxable for state purposes, in addition to federal taxes.
What happens if you win a few thousand dollars on a winning PA lottery ticket?
Lottery winnings are included in taxable income. Pennsylvania Lottery winners of an individual prize valued at more than $600 will receive a Form W2-G by mail.
If your spouse also wins, they must report their winnings separately.
“For a significant windfall, like over $5 million, it definitely makes sense to talk to an attorney or accountant to determine if they should take a lump sum payout or annuity. They may also need to think about estate tax planning, financial planning and/or asset protection planning for their windfall,” said Malloy.
Sports betting winnings and taxes
Sports betting winnings are taxable income.
The IRS states:
“Gambling winnings are fully taxable and you must report the income on your tax return. Gambling income includes but isn’t limited to winnings from lotteries, raffles, horse races, and casinos. It includes cash winnings and the fair market value of prizes, such as cars and trips.”
Even though sports betting isn’t specifically listed, it falls under the umbrella of “gambling winnings.”
Wherever your sports betting win occurred – at the OTB, the casino, on a sports betting app – they payer should send Form W-2G.
Sports betting losses might also be used as deductions if you itemize your deductions and keep a detailed record of wins and losses.
Pennsylvania Tax On Gambling Winnings
Based on your tax bracket, sports bettors in Pennsylvania could owe up to 35 % of winnings to the federal government in addition to the 3.07 % Pennsylvania taxes net gambling winnings.
Online gambling and taxes
Sports betting apps and online casinos provide unmatched convenience. You may also enjoy the anonymity of playing behind a screen name instead of in person. However, it still comes with the same tax responsibilities. Online gambling winnings are considered taxable income at the same rate as other gambling winnings.
For online gambling winnings, the payer is required to send Form W2G only if the winner reaches the following thresholds:
Massachusetts Tax On Gambling Winnings
- The winnings (not reduced by the wager) are $1,200 or more from a bingo game or slot machine
- The winnings (reduced by the wager) are $1,500 or more from a keno game
- The winnings (reduced by the wager or buy-in) are more than $5,000 from a poker tournament
- The winnings (except winnings from bingo, slot machines, keno, and poker tournaments), reduced by the wager, are:
- $600 or more, and
- At least 300 times the amount of the wager
- The winnings are subject to federal income tax withholding (either regular gambling withholding or backup withholding)
Does Pennsylvania Tax Gambling Winnings
In terms of deductions for taxes, players can request a report from online casinos detailing wins and losses.