Poker tournaments winnings tax in Louisiana
Louisiana taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at a flat 3%.
Updated · 2026 tax rules · How we calculate
You keep
$15,650
Cash at payout
$20,000
Total tax
$4,350
Due when you file
$4,350
- Form W-2G
- Yes
- Federal withholding at payout
- $0
- Federal tax on the winnings
- $3,750
- State tax
- $600
- Still to pay when you file
- $4,350
- You keep
- $15,650
$20,000 is at or above the $2,000 reporting threshold, so the payer files a W-2G with the IRS and gives you a copy.
Poker tournaments winnings aren't subject to regular federal withholding, whatever the amount. Tax is still owed when you file. If you don't give the payer your Social Security number, 24% backup withholding applies.
Winnings are ordinary income stacked on your other $60,000. Your top dollar lands in the 22% bracket.
Louisiana taxes gambling winnings as ordinary income.
Tax owed ($4,350) minus what was withheld ($0). Set this aside. A large balance can also mean an underpayment penalty unless you make an estimated payment.
$20,000 minus $4,350 in federal and state tax: an effective rate of 21.8%.
An estimate for 2026, not tax advice. It treats this win as your only gambling income for the year and leaves out local income taxes. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.
The rules
- Louisiana tax
- Louisiana taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at a flat 3%.[1]
- Federal tax form
- Poker tournament winnings of $2,000 or more, net of the buy-in, are reported on a W-2G. No 300x test applies.[2]Unverified
- Federal withholding
- Poker tournament winnings aren't subject to regular withholding if the payer files a W-2G and gives you a copy.[2]Unverified
- Louisiana withholding
- Louisiana withholds 3% whenever federal tax is withheld.[3]
- Gambling losses
- Louisiana allows no deduction for gambling losses. Its only itemized-type deduction covers medical expenses above the federal standard deduction.[4]
- Visitors
- Louisiana taxes nonresidents on poker tournament winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[5]
- Where to play
- Louisiana has casinos.[6]
What you keep at different amounts
For a single filer with $60,000 of other income and no gambling losses, living and winning in Louisiana.
| Won | W-2G | Withheld | Federal tax | State tax | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | No | $0 | $180 | $45 | $1,275 |
| $2,000 | Yes | $0 | $240 | $60 | $1,700 |
| $10,000 | Yes | $0 | $1,550 | $300 | $8,150 |
| $20,000 | Yes | $0 | $3,750 | $600 | $15,650 |
| $100,000 | Yes | $0 | $22,114 | $3,000 | $74,886 |
Questions
- How much is Louisiana tax on poker tournament winnings?
- Louisiana taxes poker tournament winnings as ordinary income at a flat 3%.[1]
- Does Louisiana withhold tax from poker tournament winnings?
- Louisiana withholds 3% whenever federal tax is withheld.[3]
- Do visitors pay Louisiana tax on poker tournament winnings?
- Louisiana taxes nonresidents on poker tournament winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[5]
More for Louisiana
All of Louisiana's gambling tax rules · Poker tournaments in every state
Sources
- [1] Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 · checked September 22, 2026
- [2] IRS, Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754 (01/2026) · checked September 22, 2026
- [3] LAC 61:I.1525 Income Tax Withholding on Gaming Winnings (LDR) · checked September 22, 2026
- [4] La. R.S. 47:293 Definitions · checked September 22, 2026
- [5] LDR FAQ: Texas resident who won at a Louisiana casino · checked September 22, 2026
- [6] Louisiana Gaming Control Board: Licensed Platforms · checked September 22, 2026