What is W-2G? Form W-2G, Certain Gambling Winnings, is the IRS form a payer files to report gambling winnings that meet set thresholds, and you get a copy. For payments made in 2026, slot, bingo and keno wins of $2,000 or more trigger it. All gambling winnings are taxable federal income, with or without a form.
A W-2G reports certain gambling winnings to you and the IRS; the payer files it.
In 2026 the threshold is $2,000 for slots, bingo and keno, adjusted for inflation in later years.
Sports, horse racing, lotteries and sweepstakes also need winnings of at least 300 times the wager.
Regular 24% withholding can apply above $5,000 for some categories, but not for slots, bingo or keno.
Winnings below the threshold, or with no form, are still taxable income.
Form name
W-2G, Certain Gambling Winnings
Who files it
The payer of the winnings
Slots, bingo, keno (2026)
$2,000 or more
Other wagering (2026)
$2,000+ and at least 300x the wager
Regular withholding
24% in some categories over $5,000
Backup withholding
24% without a correct TIN
What is W-2G and who receives one
Form W-2G is an information return. When a casino, racetrack, lottery or other payer hands over winnings that meet an IRS threshold, it records the amount, the type of gambling and any tax withheld, files the form with the IRS and gives you a copy. You then report the winnings on your own return.
For payments made in 2026, the minimum reporting threshold is $2,000, adjusted each year for inflation after 2025. How the threshold applies depends on the game.
When a W-2G is issued for payments made in 2026
Type of gambling
When a W-2G is required
Regular withholding?
Slots and bingo
Winnings of $2,000 or more
No
Keno
Winnings of $2,000 or more, net of the wager
No
Poker tournaments
Net winnings (minus buy-in) meeting the threshold
Per IRS instructions
Sports betting, horse racing, other wagering
Winnings meeting the threshold and at least 300x the wager
24% if winnings minus wager exceed $5,000
Sweepstakes, lotteries, pools
Winnings meeting the threshold and at least 300x the wager
24% if winnings minus wager exceed $5,000
Backup withholding of 24% applies if you don't give the payer a correct taxpayer identification number, usually your Social Security number. An IRS and Treasury proposed rule in the Federal Register on April 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) also states the $2,000 figure for slot, bingo and keno winnings in calendar year 2026.
W-2G examples in dollars
A $2,400 slot jackpot on a $5 spin meets the $2,000 threshold, so the payer issues a W-2G. There's no regular withholding on slots, but if you don't provide a correct TIN, 24% backup withholding would take $576.
A $1,500 slot win is below the threshold, so no W-2G is required. The $1,500 is still taxable income you report yourself.
A keno ticket that pays $2,100 on a $10 wager nets $2,090 after the wager, which meets $2,000, so it's reportable.
A $25 sports bet that wins $8,000 meets the threshold and is 320 times the wager, so a W-2G applies. Winnings minus the wager are $7,975, above $5,000, so 24% regular withholding is about $1,914.
Withholding isn't the final tax. Your actual liability depends on your whole return, so the amount withheld may be more or less than you owe. Our gambling taxes guide and big win taxes guide cover the next steps.
W-2G and gambling losses from 2026
Wagering losses can be deducted only up to the amount of your wagering gains for the year. From the 2026 tax year, the 2025 federal tax law (H.R. 1, section 70114) is reported to cap the deduction at 90% of wagering losses, still limited to gains, and the April 2026 proposed rule describes the same limit. Treat this as reported and check current IRS guidance or a tax professional.
Offshore casino offers via our links, and W-2G reporting
No partner publishes a W-2G policy, so none fits this topic better than another; we show the assigned three, and the tax point applies to all of them equally. They are offshore casinos, not licensed or regulated by any US state, with no state regulator to complain to and no state protection of balances. Check your state's law before depositing, and keep your own records of any winnings.
Silver Oak Casino: $2,500 Welcome Bonus + 50 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). Silver Oak's own pages advertise a $10,000 package (100% on each of ten deposits) and conflict on wagering: 30x on the offer page, 40x for slots in the terms, with 60x on blackjack and video poker; deposits start at $30 and the offer page says there's no max withdrawal. See the Silver Oak review.
Planet 7 Casino: $2,750 Welcome Bonus + 45 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). Planet 7's welcome terms aren't confirmed on its own site; third-party reviews report a 200% match at 30x (bonus + deposit) on slots with a $1,000 max cashout, and sources disagree. Michigan's regulator named Silver Oak and Planet 7 in an April 9, 2025 cease-and-desist release (opens in a new tab). See the Planet 7 review.
Royal Ace Casino: $2,500 Welcome Bonus + 35 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). Royal Ace's terms aren't confirmed on its own site; third-party reviews disagree (200% up to $4,000 at 30x on slots and 60x on blackjack and video poker with a max cashout of 10x the deposit, versus 250% up to $2,500 + 35 spins). A max cashout rule like that limits what a bonus win can pay. See the Royal Ace review.
Bonuses are slot-focused, table games are often excluded or weighted lower, and the terms shown at sign-up apply.
Ad21+ (18+ where allowed). Ranked by us in a commercial order; we earn commission from these links. Advertiser disclosure
These are offshore casinos, not licensed by any US state; winnings from any source are taxable income. Check your state's law first; new players 21+ (18+ where allowed), terms apply.
Silver Oak Casino#4 on our listBonus on 10 deposits
Published terms (casino terms): Silver Oak advertises a 100% match on each of its first ten deposits (up to $10,000 in total) with codes SILVEROAK1–10. Eligible games: Slots, keno, scratch cards (table games at 60x; many games excluded).
Who runs it: Primrose Media Limited, licensed in Anjouan (its terms). Regulator notes: Named in a Michigan Gaming Control Board cease-and-desist release, April 9, 2025.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30. Wagering 30x on the offer page; 40x in the terms. Max cashout: None stated. Withdrawal cap From $2,500 / week. Terms source: casino terms. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
Published terms (reported): Third-party reviews report a 200% match with code WELCOME200; the casino site could not be checked directly. Eligible games: Slots (reported).
Who runs it: License not shown; third parties report Costa Rica or none. Regulator notes: Named in a Michigan Gaming Control Board cease-and-desist release, April 9, 2025.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30 (reported). Wagering 30x deposit + bonus (reported). Max cashout: $1,000 (reported). Withdrawal cap $2,500 / week (reported). Terms source: reported. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
Royal Ace Casino#6 on our listSlots and specialty games
Published terms (reported): Third-party reviews disagree on the package (200% up to $4,000, or 250% up to $2,500 + 35 spins); the casino site could not be checked directly. Eligible games: Slots and specialty games (reported).
Who runs it: License not shown; third parties report Costa Rica or none. Regulator notes: Third parties report it does not accept Ohio players.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30 (reported). Wagering 30x deposit + bonus on slots (reported). Max cashout: 10x deposit (reported). Withdrawal cap $2,500 / week (reported). Terms source: reported. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
These casinos are offshore operators. They are not licensed or regulated by any US state, and state consumer protections do not apply. Check the law in your state before you play. Terms marked “reported” come from third-party reviews; the terms shown at sign-up apply.
21+ (18+ where allowed). Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: responsible gambling tools and free help. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738).
Frequently asked questions
What is a W-2G form?
A W-2G is the IRS form a payer uses to report certain gambling winnings, with a copy sent to you. It shows the amount won, the type of gambling and any federal tax withheld. For 2026, slot, bingo and keno wins of $2,000 or more trigger it, and other wagering needs both $2,000 and a 300x payout. Our W-2G form page covers how to use it on your return.
What is the W-2G threshold for slots in 2026?
The threshold is $2,000 or more for slot winnings paid in 2026, according to the IRS instructions, with the same figure for bingo and keno, which is measured net of the wager. The amount is adjusted for inflation in years after 2025, so check the current instructions each year. Slot wins don't have regular withholding. See our gambling taxes guide for reporting steps.
Do I have to pay tax if I don't get a W-2G?
Yes. Gambling winnings are taxable federal income whether or not a W-2G is issued. The form is just a report from the payer; your duty to report income doesn't depend on it. That applies to small wins, wins at offshore casinos and sweepstakes prizes alike. Keep your own records of what you won and lost. Read do I pay tax on casino winnings for more.
How much tax is withheld on a W-2G?
Regular withholding is 24% for certain categories, such as sports, horse racing, lotteries and sweepstakes paying at least 300 times the wager, when winnings minus the wager exceed $5,000. Slots, bingo and keno don't get regular withholding. Backup withholding of 24% applies to any reportable win if you don't give a correct taxpayer ID. Withholding isn't your final bill. See big win taxes.
Can I deduct gambling losses against a W-2G?
Yes, but only up to your gambling winnings for the year, and only with records. From the 2026 tax year, the deduction is reported to be capped at 90% of wagering losses under the 2025 federal tax law, and an IRS proposed rule describes the same limit. Check current IRS guidance or ask a tax professional before filing. Our gambling loss deduction page explains the rule.
Do offshore casinos send W-2G forms?
Our offshore partners don't publish any W-2G policy, so you shouldn't expect one. That doesn't make the winnings tax-free: income from an offshore casino is reportable like any other gambling income. Use your withdrawal records, deposit history and a play log to support your return. Our answer on whether offshore casinos report to the IRS goes further.
Does a sweepstakes casino prize count for W-2G?
The IRS instructions include a category for sweepstakes, lotteries and pools, which requires winnings meeting the threshold and at least 300 times the wager. Whether a particular sweepstakes casino issues a form depends on its own practice and how the prize fits those rules. Either way, prizes are income you report. See our Sweeps Coins entry for how prize redemptions work.
Do you get a W-2G for a big blackjack win?
Usually not, because blackjack falls under the IRS’s other-wagering rule, which needs both $2,000 or more and a payout of at least 300 times the wager. A $3,000 win on a $100 blackjack hand is only 30 times the bet, so no W-2G is required, and even a blackjack paying 3 to 2 is nowhere near 300 to 1. The win is still taxable income that you report yourself, so log the session and the amount. Our blackjack glossary entry covers payouts, and the keeping gambling records guide shows what to note.
When does a sports bet trigger a W-2G?
A sports bet triggers a W-2G when the winnings reach the threshold, $2,000 for 2026, and are at least 300 times the wager. A $10 parlay that pays $3,500 meets both tests, because $3,500 is 350 times the stake. A $1,000 bet that wins $5,000 doesn’t, since that is only five times the wager. Regular 24% withholding then applies only if winnings minus the wager exceed $5,000. Sports betting is legal and state-licensed in many states, but rules differ, so read our sports betting laws page and is sports betting legal in my state.
How does a W-2G work for poker tournament winnings?
For poker tournaments, the W-2G test uses net winnings, meaning the prize minus the buy-in. A $2,500 prize from a $200 buy-in gives $2,300 net, which meets the $2,000 threshold for 2026, so the payer would issue a form. A $2,100 prize from a $300 buy-in nets only $1,800 and falls below it, though the money is still taxable. The IRS instructions set out the withholding rules for this category, so check them for large prizes. Our online poker laws page explains where real-money poker is legal, and gambling taxes covers reporting.
What should I do when I receive a W-2G?
Check it, keep it and report the winnings on your federal return. Start by confirming the amount, the date, the type of gambling and your taxpayer ID, and ask the payer to correct any error. Note any federal tax withheld, because that counts toward what you owe for the year. File the form with your gambling log, deposit and withdrawal records, which you will need if you claim losses against your gains. Large wins can also bring state tax and estimated-payment questions, so a tax professional is worth asking. The cashing out big wins guide and our short what is a W-2G answer give the next steps.
Is a progressive jackpot reported on a W-2G?
Yes, a progressive jackpot won on a slot is reported when it reaches the slot threshold, $2,000 or more for payments made in 2026. There is no regular withholding on slot wins, but 24% backup withholding applies if you don’t give the payer a correct taxpayer ID. A $10,000 jackpot with no ID on file, for example, would lose $2,400 to backup withholding. Offshore casinos don’t publish W-2G policies, so you may not get a form there, but the jackpot is still taxable income. Our progressive jackpots explained guide and what to do after a big win checklist cover the rest.
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