Casino and slots winnings tax in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania taxes slot machine winnings as ordinary income at a flat 3.07%.
Updated · 2026 tax rules · How we calculate
You keep
$4,247
Cash at payout
$5,000
Total tax
$754
Due when you file
$754
- Form W-2G
- Yes
- Federal withholding at payout
- $0
- Federal tax on the winnings
- $600
- State tax
- $154
- Still to pay when you file
- $754
- You keep
- $4,247
$5,000 is at or above the $2,000 reporting threshold, so the payer files a W-2G with the IRS and gives you a copy.
Casino and slots 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 12% bracket.
Pennsylvania taxes gambling winnings as ordinary income.
Tax owed ($754) minus what was withheld ($0). Set this aside. A large balance can also mean an underpayment penalty unless you make an estimated payment.
$5,000 minus $754 in federal and state tax: an effective rate of 15.1%.
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
- Pennsylvania tax
- Pennsylvania taxes slot machine winnings as ordinary income at a flat 3.07%.[1]
- Federal tax form
- Slot machine and bingo winnings of $2,000 or more are reported on a W-2G, without subtracting the wager. The threshold was $1,200 before 2026. Keno is also $2,000, after subtracting the wager on the winning game.[2]
- Federal withholding
- Slot machine, keno and bingo winnings are exempt from regular gambling withholding by statute, whatever the amount.[4]
- Pennsylvania withholding
- No Pennsylvania withholding requirement for slot machine winnings. Tax is due when you file.[5]Unverified
- Gambling losses
- You subtract the documented cost of your wagers for the year from your total winnings on Schedule T, without itemizing. The result can't go below zero or offset other income.[6]
- Visitors
- Pennsylvania taxes nonresidents on slot machine winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[5]
- Where to play
- Pennsylvania has casinos, and online casino gaming is legal.[7]
What you keep at different amounts
For a single filer with $60,000 of other income and no gambling losses, living and winning in Pennsylvania.
| Won | W-2G | Withheld | Federal tax | State tax | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | No | $0 | $180 | $46 | $1,274 |
| $2,000 | Yes | $0 | $240 | $61 | $1,699 |
| $5,000 | Yes | $0 | $600 | $154 | $4,247 |
| $10,000 | Yes | $0 | $1,550 | $307 | $8,143 |
| $100,000 | Yes | $0 | $22,114 | $3,070 | $74,816 |
Questions
- How much is Pennsylvania tax on slot machine winnings?
- Pennsylvania taxes slot machine winnings as ordinary income at a flat 3.07%.[1]
- Does Pennsylvania withhold tax from slot machine winnings?
- Pennsylvania has no withholding requirement for slot machine winnings. Tax is due when you file.[5]Unverified
- Do visitors pay Pennsylvania tax on slot machine winnings?
- Pennsylvania taxes nonresidents on slot machine winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[5]
More for Pennsylvania
All of Pennsylvania's gambling tax rules · Casino and slots 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] Federal Register, REG-113229-25 proposed rule (Apr. 17, 2026) · checked September 22, 2026
- [4] 26 U.S. Code § 3402 (withholding) · checked September 22, 2026
- [5] PA PIT Guide, Gambling and Lottery Winnings (PDF) · checked September 22, 2026
- [6] 2025 PA-40 Schedule T and instructions · checked September 22, 2026
- [7] American Gaming Association, Pennsylvania Gaming Regulatory Fact Sheet (2025) · checked September 22, 2026