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• Gambling Tax Laws

The gambling portion of the omnibus bill scrapped the existing 30% to 35% variable online gambling tax in favor of a flat 35% rate across all gambling products. New 21% Point Of Consumption Tax For Remote Gambling in 2019. The UK chancellor, Philip Hammond, announced in his budget in 2018 that the a higher rate 21% point of consumption tax will now be imposed for online gambling on 'games of chance', up from 15%. This means if you play casino games, slots, table games like blackjack, poker, virtual or any other fixed odds game of chance, there will.

Greece is making some significant changes to its land-based and online gambling industry. The government here is working on new ways to generate revenue from foreign gambling operators. This week, plans were revealed that show tax rates are increasing for online gambling companies in Greece.

It’s disappointing news for gambling operators in this country. Let’s look at the current set of gambling regulations here and discuss how these laws are changing.

Land-Based and Online Gambling Laws in Greece

Gambling has taken place in Greece for thousands of years. Until recently, there were no real laws that monitored the country’s gambling industry. Lawmakers here eventually realized that something needed to change, and granted a company called OPAP a monopoly over all gambling activities in the country.

OPAP has proven to be a hugely successful company for the government. In 2018, for example, this gambling operator took in more than €8 billion in wagers.

By 2011, the government here created a legal framework for foreign gambling companies to offer their services in Greece. Before long, many of the top online gambling sites in Europe were available in this country. Tax rates for these companies weren’t unlike the rates in many of the other European countries with open online gambling markets.

Earlier this year, politicians here began working on a plan to change the country’s online gambling regulations. This week, the plans were revealed, and many gambling operators are unhappy with what’s being proposed.

Tax Rates Increasing for Online Gambling Companies in Greece

It was about time for Greece to change its set of internet gambling laws. This country is just finally beginning to recover from its recession and is looking for any way to acquire more revenue. Many gambling analysts predicted that online gambling operators here would be asked to pay more money to the government.

The country’s Ministry of Development and Investment recently sent the gambling reforms plan to Parliament for approval. It lists the new tax and licensing rates for online gambling companies in Greece.

If approved, online sports betting permits will cost €3 million. Online casino and poker licenses will now cost €2 million, double than what they cost before. These licenses are valid for seven years. Each license can be renewed, granted the company’s request a renewal at least a year in advance.

Online gambling operators in this country are now being required to pay a 35% tax rate on their revenue. Interestingly, this new plan does not allow companies to deduct this tax before their corporate tax is applied. Essentially, this means that the corporate tax rate applies to one-third of operators’ entire revenue.

New internet gaming companies here must operate using a .gr domain and need to have servers based in Greece.

Parliament will make its decision on the new plan in the next few weeks.

Mohegan Gaming Continues Push to Operate Hellenikon Casino

Greece is continuing to expand its land-based casino industry right now, as well. Based on numerous reports, the government here is ready to license a company to operate the proposed Hellenikon casino, opening in the former Athens International airport. Two companies are pushing hard to operate this new gambling venue.

Mohegan Gaming and Hard Rock International both want permission to control the Hellenikon casino. Earlier this week, Mohegan Gaming officially revealed its casino plan to Greek authorities. This company is partnering with a Greek company called GEK Terna.

Mohegan claims that it will invest more than a billion into this new casino. Two skyscrapers will be constructed on the casino site, which will feature a luxury hotel, an entertainment venue, and a sports venue.

Hope is that within the next 24 to 36 months, the Hellenikon will finally be constructed.

Online gambling companies in Greece are facing new heavy tax rates. Make sure to stay tuned for more news on this casino over the next few months!

Gaming Income

Do you need to pay taxes on your gambling winnings? Yes. Gaming income is taxable like any other income you receive throughout the year. Whether or not you receive a W-2G from the casino, it is your responsibility to report “earned” winnings on your personal income tax form. As it does for land-based gamblers, the same applies to online casino players.

Casinos do not issue a W-2G form unless your jackpot is $1,200 or more. The operator is not required to issue a W-2G if your winnings are under $1,200. If you play keno, you won’t be issued a W-2G form until you generate $1,500 or more in keno winnings per play. Poker players need to fill out a W-2G form if they win $5,000 or more from a tournament.

As readers can see, each gambling game has its own threshold for reporting taxes. The responsibility is with you and not the casino, though, so if an operator doesn’t give you a W-2G form, you still have to report your winnings. Any cash you win is reportable.

When you win a large sum of money and the casino issues you a W-2G form, remember they automatically send a copy to the IRS. If you don’t report those winnings, you’ll be notified by the IRS that your tax return does not match their records. Report your winnings.

For those filling out a form in 2019 for a 2018 return, note that gross gaming income is reported on Form 1040, Schedule 1, Line 21 under “other income”.

All the following forms of income from gambling need to be reported.

Online Casino Games

Online Slot Machines

Specialty & Lottery Games

Sports Books

Online Card Rooms

Taxes On Online Gambling

Mobile Casino GamesGames

Can Online Gamblers Report Net Winnings?

People often ask if they can report their net winnings – that is, the gross winnings minus their gaming losses. The answer is “No”. Place your gross winnings on line 21 of the tax return. Later, you’ll record your gaming losses for the year.

No matter what your losses for the year, line 21 only deals with winnings. Example: If you win $2,000 throughout the year playing online keno, you report that on line 21 whether you lost $200 or $20,000 playing keno.

Whether through oversight or bad practices, sometimes you might not receive a W-2G report from a gaming operator. If you don’t receive a W-2G, then you’ll have to keep track of your gross income number and report that amount to the IRS.

Gaming Losses

Gaming losses are reported on Schedule A (the itemized deductions) of the 1040 form, line 16, under the category “Other Itemized Deductions”. Once again, maintain a gaming diary or other running tally of your losses throughout the year if you want to legally deduct your gaming losses.

People ask us ways to lower the house edge at online casinos. I can think of no example which lowers your house edge more than keeping an accurate game log and deducting your losses.

One thing to keep in mind: a player’s gaming losses cannot exceed their winnings in a year’s time. If you win $1,000 and lost $2,000 over the course of a year, you report $1,000 in earnings and $1,000 in losses, even if your losses are higher than that. Also, you can’t carry losses forward to the next year. They’re simply lost.

Taxpayers are reporting that the 2018 Tax Cut and Jobs Act has reduced their eligibility for itemized deductions. This eliminates the need for a Schedule A form, but also eliminates a place to deduct gaming losses. Each taxpayer faces their own situation, but many may not be able to shelter gaming income because of the new minimal gaming losses law.

To claim winnings and losses, it is incumbent for you to keep a diary or gaming log. Since you might not know how this is done properly, let’s take a look at what is required.

• When – The type of specific wager and the date it happened
• Where – The name and address of the gaming establishment, or its online equivalent
• How Much – The amounts won and the amounts lost

The IRS recommends players keep supporting documentation for their tax claims. Keep bank statements, credit card statements, monthly online gaming site reports, and other game tickets you might have. Even if you don’t use bank wire transfers or other bank-related online payment methods, bank statements help you substantiate losses by showing corresponding ATM withdrawals and the like.

In the case of online casino gaming, it shows you moving money to a credit card, e-wallet, or crypto-currency wallet. Many land-based players keep their wins and losses on a player’s card or slots card. Online casino players have a cashier page. Also, sites with player rewards have a running tally of winnings and losses, so printouts of VIP program’s reports also help establish your numbers. Ask for your online casino to make a report of pertinent tax information.

Tips for Withholding Taxes

Keep the following recommendations in mind for withholding taxes.

1. Deducting Taxes at the Time of Winning

   Many gamblers prefer to have their taxes deducted from earnings at the time they have winnings. If you have earnings reported on a W-2G form, you can choose to have the taxes deducted at that time to avoid a big tax bill when you file your personal tax return. Consider this option if you tend to spend your winnings throughout the year.

2. Making an Estimated Tax Payments

   Players who win in smaller increments and don’t have winnings reported on a W-2G form have the option of making an estimated tax payment based on the taxes you predict you’ll need to pay. To make an estimated tax payment, you’ll need to use a 1040-ES form.

3. Pay On Time – Avoid Penalties

   Underpayment of income tax might result in penalties and interest being charged, so make timely payments to avoid further tax liabilities. A tax return has many factors which determine whether you owe a penalty, but paying into the system as you go is often the better choice for taxpayers.

Professional Gamblers’ Tax Returns

Professional gamblers face a different situation than amateur players or even high rollers do. A professional player is viewed as engaging in business, so their earnings go on a Schedule C part of a 1040 form.

Gambling Tax Calculator

While online casino gamers do not consider themselves professionals as often online poker players or sports handicappers, it’s important that those who do should file the proper tax returns. Also, the advice below applies to any professional online gambler.

Gambling Tax Rate Calculator

• A professional gambler pursues gaming full time and with great regularity. The professional gambler makes a good faith effort to generate income for a livelihood. Their gaming is no hobby.
• Someone claiming to be a pro gambler has the burden of proof to make that claim.
• One’s approach to gambling is considered. Does a person make a studied approach to gambling, forecasting the trends and opportunities as one would in a regular business environment?
• The recreational nature of gambling is compared to the for-profit aspect of gambling. Is the player more focused on profit’s or recreation?
• The gambler’s skill and expertise are considered, much like one would for any other profession. Does the gambler produce consistent results? How many years of experience does a professional gambler have?
• The amount of time and effort a player puts toward the profession is considered. Does a gambler spend full-time hours on their gaming activities?
• The history of losses with respect to activity is considered. Overall success thus becomes a major component of evaluation — in fact, the key part of the evaluation.
• Once again, the amount of accounting and record-keeping is a key determining factor. Is the player methodical in their approach?

Declaring oneself a professional gambler has several advantages when filing a tax return.

Uk Online Gambling Tax Rates

• Deducting gambling losses – First, filling out a return as a professional helps a player deduct gambling losses. Such deductions largely have been eliminated for amateur players for 2018-2019 returns and beyond.
• Gaming as a business – Second, because the pro player treats their gaming sessions like a business, it also allows the player to deduct normal business expenses that further their professional career.

When playing online, expenses might include computer expenses, Internet service fees, research materials, and office supplies. If you have to travel for your gaming profession, then travel expenses, hotel rooms, business-related meals, and telephone bills might come into play. Anyone wanting to claim these expenses should document their expenses and keep the proper receipts.

One major drawback of reporting net gaming profit on a Schedule C form is the income is subject to self-employment taxes (in addition to normal income taxes). Even though a professional gambler will be able to claim additional expenses, the tradeoff might not be worth it. Analyze both possibilities (professional v. non-professional) before filing your return.

Federal Gambling Winnings Tax Rate

IRS Resources for Gamblers

To read more about filing a tax return as an online gambler, go to the IRS websites to review their 2018-2019 publications related to gaming income. Read the current literature because the laws have changed significantly in the past two years.

Oklahoma Gambling Tax Rate

These are some of the suggested IRS resources players should review when it comes to their taxes.

• Publication 525: Taxable and Nontaxable Income – Covers gaming income and winnings.
• Publication 529: Miscellaneous Deductions – Involves gaming losses and proper documentation
• Publication 505: Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax – As the name states, involves tax withholding and estimated taxes.
• Publication 4706: You Won! What Now? – Informational brochure for individuals with information on reporting gambling winnings.

About Kim Walker – CPA

Kim Walker is a Certified Public Accountant residing in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her areas of concentration are small business owners and their specific accounting and tax needs.

Gambling Tax Laws

Services include business and personal tax return preparation, entity selection and business startups, business plan development, and IRS problem resolution and bookkeeping. You can inquire about her tax services by visiting her website.