Casino winnings tax in 2026
Every win is taxable income, whether or not a form is issued. The calculator adds it to your other income and shows the federal and state tax it adds with the 2026 brackets.
Slots, keno and bingo
A casino issues a Form W-2G when a slot or bingo win reaches the reporting threshold, $2,000 for payments made in 2026; for keno the win is counted after the price of the winning game. There is no regular withholding on these wins, so the tax is paid with your return. If you do not give the casino your taxpayer identification number, it can withhold 24% as backup withholding.
Table games and poker
Table game wins are taxable even when no form is issued. Poker tournaments have their own, higher reporting threshold, counted after the buy-in. Keep a diary of every session, with the date, the place, the game and the amounts won and lost: the IRS can ask for it to support any losses you deduct.
Losses from 2026
Losses are deductible only if you itemize, at 90% of their amount, and never above your winnings, so a break-even year can still leave taxable income.
State tax
Most states tax winnings as income too; nine have no income tax on them. See every state.
Rules: IRS Instructions for Forms W-2G (01/2026) and IRC 165(d) as amended in 2025. See the 2026 federal rules. Estimates, not tax advice. If gambling stops being fun, free help is available.
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