Won at a US casino as a foreign visitor? The 30% tax and the refund
A US casino withholds 30% of a foreign visitor's slot jackpot, keno, bingo, lottery or poker tournament win. Residents of 25 countries, among them the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland and Japan, owe no US tax on it and can claim all of it back; wins at blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette and the big-6 wheel are not taxed for anyone.
Who owes the tax
| Country of residence | US tax on slot, keno, bingo, lottery and betting wins | Tax on a $10,000 slot jackpot | Refund if $3,000 was withheld |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Belgium | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Bulgaria | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Czech Republic | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Denmark | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Finland | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| France | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Germany | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Iceland | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Ireland | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Italy | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Japan | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Latvia | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Lithuania | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Luxembourg | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Netherlands | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Slovak Republic | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Slovenia | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| South Africa | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Spain | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Sweden | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Tunisia | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Turkey | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Ukraine | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| United Kingdom | Not taxed: exempt under the tax treaty | $0 | $3,000 |
| Malta | 10%, the tax treaty rate | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Canada | 30% of the year's US winnings minus losses | $1,380 | $1,620 |
| Hungary | 30% since 1 January 2024, when the treaty exemption ended | $3,000 | $0 |
| Russia | 30% since 16 August 2024, when the treaty exemption ended | $3,000 | $0 |
| Any other country | 30% | $3,000 | $0 |
The United States taxes a visitor's gambling winnings at a flat 30% of each win, with no deduction for losses, unless a tax treaty says otherwise. The treaties with the 25 countries in the table exempt gambling winnings entirely, the treaty with Malta lowers the rate to 10%, and the treaty with Canada lets losses count. The exemptions for Hungary and Russia no longer apply: wins since 1 January 2024 (Hungary) and 16 August 2024 (Russia) are taxed at 30%.
Table games are not taxed
What a foreign visitor wins playing blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette or the big-6 wheel is not taxed at all, whatever the country. If a casino withheld tax on such a win anyway and reported it on Form 1042-S, the whole amount can be claimed back.
Canada: losses count
Residents of Canada are taxed on the year's US gambling winnings minus their US gambling losses, never below zero. A Canadian who wins $10,000 on a slot machine in 2025 and lost $6,000 on other US gambling that year is taxed on $4,000: the tax is $1,200, so $1,800 of the $3,000 withheld comes back.
The treaty allows losses as far as a US resident could deduct them, and from 2026 a US resident deducts 90% of losses. The same win in 2026 leaves $4,600 taxable, a tax of $1,380 and a refund of $1,620. Keep proof of the losses: the casinos' win-loss statements, tickets and bank records. Visitors from other countries cannot set losses against winnings, except within the same gambling session.
How to claim the refund
- Keep the Form 1042-S the casino gives you: it shows the win and the tax withheld.
- File Form 1040-NR, the US tax return for nonresidents, for the year of the win, with the Form 1042-S. Residents of an exempt country report the win at 0% under their treaty; residents of Canada report their winnings and losses.
- Without a US Social Security number, apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) on Form W-7, sent together with the return.
- A visitor with no US wages files by 15 June of the year after the win. A refund can generally still be claimed on a return filed within three years of that date.
Tax preparers and refund services can file for you, for a fee.
Avoiding the withholding
A resident of an exempt country can give the casino Form W-8BEN, with a US or foreign taxpayer identification number, when the win is paid. The casino then applies the treaty and withholds nothing, so there is nothing to claim back. For residents of Malta the 10% treaty rate is applied the same way.
Questions
Do foreign visitors pay tax on US casino winnings?
Usually 30% of each slot, keno, bingo, lottery, poker tournament or sports betting win, withheld when it is paid. Residents of the 25 treaty countries in the table owe nothing, residents of Malta owe 10%, and blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette and big-6 wheel wins are never taxed.
Can I get the 30% casino tax back?
Yes, if your country's treaty exempts gambling winnings, if the win came from a table game, or, for residents of Canada, as far as losses reduce the year's net winnings. You claim it on Form 1040-NR with the casino's Form 1042-S.
Can I deduct my gambling losses?
Only residents of Canada, against their US winnings for the year. Visitors from other countries are taxed on each win; losses count only within the same session.
How long do I have to claim?
The return for a year's winnings is due on 15 June of the next year for a visitor with no US wages, and a refund can generally still be claimed on a return filed within three years of that date.
Rules from IRS Publication 515 (2026), Publication 519 and the Instructions for Form 1040-NR, checked on 30.09.2026. For a win in the United States by a resident of the country; see also lottery tax in other countries. Estimates, not tax advice.
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