Casino and slots winnings tax in South Carolina
South Carolina taxes slot machine winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 1.99% to 5.21%.
Updated · 2026 tax rules · How we calculate
You keep
$4,140
Cash at payout
$4,740
Total tax
$861
Due when you file
$600
- Form W-2G
- Yes
- Federal withholding at payout
- $0
- Federal tax on the winnings
- $600
- State tax
- $261
- South Carolina withholding at payout
- $261
- Still to pay when you file
- $600
- You keep
- $4,140
$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.
South Carolina taxes gambling winnings as ordinary income.
South Carolina requires the payer to hold back 5.21% for state tax.
Tax owed ($861) minus what was withheld ($261). Set this aside. A large balance can also mean an underpayment penalty unless you make an estimated payment.
$5,000 minus $861 in federal and state tax: an effective rate of 17.2%.
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
- South Carolina tax
- South Carolina taxes slot machine winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 1.99% to 5.21%.[1]Unverified
- 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]
- South Carolina withholding
- South Carolina withholds 5.21% on slot machine winnings of $500 or more.[5]Unverified
- Gambling losses
- No, starting in 2026. Act 110 replaced federal standard and itemized deductions with the South Carolina Income Adjusted Deduction, so itemized gambling losses no longer carry over.[6]Unverified
- Visitors
- South Carolina taxes nonresidents on slot machine winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[7]
- Where to play
- South Carolina has no casinos. Winnings from a casino trip to another state are still taxable here.[8]Unverified
What you keep at different amounts
For a single filer with $60,000 of other income and no gambling losses, living and winning in South Carolina.
| Won | W-2G | Withheld | Federal tax | State tax | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | No | $78 | $180 | $78 | $1,242 |
| $2,000 | Yes | $104 | $240 | $104 | $1,656 |
| $5,000 | Yes | $261 | $600 | $261 | $4,140 |
| $10,000 | Yes | $521 | $1,550 | $521 | $7,929 |
| $100,000 | Yes | $5,210 | $22,114 | $5,210 | $72,676 |
Questions
- How much is South Carolina tax on slot machine winnings?
- South Carolina taxes slot machine winnings as ordinary income at graduated rates from 1.99% to 5.21%.[1]Unverified
- Does South Carolina withhold tax from slot machine winnings?
- South Carolina withholds 5.21% on slot machine winnings of $500 or more.[5]Unverified
- Do visitors pay South Carolina tax on slot machine winnings?
- South Carolina taxes nonresidents on slot machine winnings won there, so visitors may need to file a nonresident return.[7]
More for South Carolina
All of South Carolina's gambling tax rules · Casino and slots in every state
Sources
- [1] SCDOR, Information about H.4216 · 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] S.C. Code 12-8-530, Withholding on cash prizes or winnings · checked September 22, 2026
- [6] S.C. H.4216 / Act No. 110 of 2026 · checked September 22, 2026
- [7] S.C. Code 59-150-230, Lottery prizes · checked September 22, 2026
- [8] S.C. Code Title 16, Chapter 19 (Gambling and Lotteries) · checked September 22, 2026