1. Casino Winnings Tax Canada
2. Best Casinos In Canada
3. Casino Tax Recovery Canada
4. Gambling Tax Canada
5. Casino Tax Refund Canada
6. Canada Casino Winnings Tax Free

The IRS requires casinos and other gambling establishments to withhold 30% of the gambling winnings of Canadian visitors to the U.S. However, if you also have U.S. Gambling losses during the year, it is possible to file a 1040NR return, deduct those losses from your winnings, and receive a refund of the tax withheld. Bulgaria doesn’t charge tax online winnings. Casino operators pay €17,500 for each license and location in which they operate their casino. Roulette and table games are taxed at a fixed amount. Gambling has been in Canada since the 1400s. All types of gambling were banned in 1892. The casino withheld 30 percent of my winnings for U.S. Income tax, and didn't allow for the fact that I was down $300 on the day and had the tickets to prove it. Someone at the casino told me that he thought the money was recoverable for Canadians once they returned to Canada.

So, you reached the best part of sports betting – the payout. You have requested your winnings from your Canadian betting site and the money is now in your bank account – some genuinely exciting stuff.

Now though you may be wondering whether you are due to pay taxes on your gambling winning and if you have to, how you go about paying taxes on the money you won betting on sports online. If that is the information you are looking for, then this page is for you. We cover just about everything related to taxes and gambling winnings.

Do I Pay Tax on Online Gambling Winnings in Canada?

The general rule on legal gambling winnings and taxes in Canada is simple. Unless you are a professional gambler, you do not need to pay taxes on your gambling winnings. This rule is applied to both gambling winnings won in Canada (such as playing a provincial sports betting service or the lottery) and gambling winnings won outside of Canada (either using an online betting site or when you visit physical casinos in other countries).

Casino Winnings Tax Canada

But, why, unlike the United States which taxes winnings over $1200 at 30% does Canada not tax their gamblers? It is a pretty simple answer. The Government of Canada and Canada Revenue Agency do not consider gambling to be a constant and viable source of income (there is one exception to the rule which we will touch in a moment). Gambling losses are not deductible on your income tax if you only gamble for fun.

The laws around gambling taxes were also developed for offline betting inside Canada. Betting in Canada is regulated and taxed already. The Canadian Government may one day develop new laws taxing gambling winnings won online or outside of Canada. However, they seem more focused on making their sports betting more competitive and comparable to online sports betting sites, than taxing online sports bettors.

When You Pay Taxes on Gambling Winnings?

As we mentioned above, there are a few scenarios where you do need to pay tax on gambling winnings.

If you are a professional gambler; defined as an individual who makes the majority of their income through a form of gamble that is not the lottery, then you are required to declare winnings (and losses) on your tax return.

You are also subject to tax on gambling winnings if you invest your winnings and earn interest or some form of capital gains. The interest is considered a source of viable income and you will need to claim it on your tax return. Of course, with low-interest rates continuing in Canada, the interest earned by most is likely not enough to impact most sports bettors or push many into a higher income tax bracket.

There is no tax rate on gambling winnings in Canada. The amount of tax, if applicable, on gambling winnings in Canada depends on your total income from gambling plus your total income earned through other sources minus your total losses from gambling.

If you have any doubts or believe your income from gambling is noticeably high – especially if it is higher than the rest of your income – you could consult a tax account or tax lawyer. They can provide more details on taxes and gambling winnings in Canada.

What can you Bet Online?

Online betting sites offer plenty of different forms of gambling for Canadians to enjoy. While this website is more focused on sports betting and what online sportsbooks offer in terms of sports betting options, the sites we recommend on this page offers much more than just odds on stuff like the National Football League.

• Betway
  Bet Now
  New Canada customers only. Opt-in required. Bonus based on 1st deposit of $10+. You will get a 100% matched bonus up to $200 based on your first deposit. Full terms apply.
• Bet365
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  Open an account with bet365 today and bet on a huge range of markets with the world’s favourite online sports betting company.
• Sports Interaction
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  New customers only. Min $20 deposit. Max $200 CAD bonus. Rollover is 10x deposit + bonus.
• Bodog
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  This bonus can only be redeemed on your FIRST DEPOSIT. Rollover is 5X Sports 5X Horses 40X Casino.
• Spin Palace Sports
  Bet Now
  1st Deposit - Free Bet up to $200 • New customers only • Min deposit $10 • 5x wagering at odds of 1.3+ to unlock free bet • Terms apply

Online Casinos and Poker

A big part of online betting sites is their casino. Canadian online betting sites offer full virtual casino experiences. Canada online casinos feature different styles and domination of virtual slots. They offer a full selection of table games such as roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and craps. They also offer poker rooms. Like when you bet on sports online, when you play casino games and poker you do not need to pay taxes on your winnings unless it is your primary source of income (a general rarity in Canada except for a few poker players).

Online Racebooks

Another big part of an online betting site is their racebook. Any good online betting site will offer odds on horse racing events from all over Canada and the world. Like sports and casino winnings, bettors in Canada are not required to pay taxes on the money they win betting on the horses.

Betting on eSports

The last part of an online betting site is its eSports betting section. As eSports have grown substantially in popularity over the last few years, any online betting site worth using has an extensive number of betting markets on eSports. Winnings from betting on eSports, like traditional sports betting, is not subject to taxes unless it is your main source of income.

Best Canadian Betting Sites

If you are ready to jump into the action and start betting on sports online, you are in luck. We have the best Canadian betting sites listed below. Join today to receive an awesome welcome bonus. If you are not sure which site to join, you can read our comprehensive online sportsbook reviews here.

Gambling Tax FAQs

Q: Do you have to Pay Tax on Gambling Winnings in Canada?

No, Canadians who gamble for fun are not required to pay tax on gambling winnings as the government does not view it as a consistent or viable source of income.

Q: What is the Tax Rate on Gambling Winnings?

There is no set tax rate on gambling winnings in Canada. The tax rate for professional gamblers or for bettors gaining interest off their gambling winnings is determined by multiple factors such as total income, total losses, and total taxes paid over the year (i.e. you have a secondary income you paid taxes from).

Q: Do Professional Gamblers Pay Taxes in Canada?

Professional gamblers are subject to taxes if gambling is their primary source of income. Most professional bettors are poker players, not sports bettors, and are treated as freelance workers, meaning they can claim their gambling losses.

Q: How do you Pay Taxes on Gambling Winnings?

If you are required to pay taxes on your gambling winnings, you have two options. You can remit taxes throughout the year – most likely every three months at a percentage you decide – or when you file your tax return.

Q: Do Canadians Pay Taxes on when Gambling in the United States?

Yes, if you win more than $1200 in the United States you are subject to a 30% tax. However, due to the Article XXII in the Canada US Tax Treaty, Canadians can file a US income tax form 1040NR and claim your gambling losses, to potentially receive back part of the taxes you paid on your winning. You can also do this as a dual citizen.

Q: Do Foreigners Pay Taxes on Gambling Winning?

If you are visiting Canada and either betting on sports, buying lottery tickets, or playing at a casino, you do not need to pay taxes on your gambling winning. However, if you are not in Canada when you win the bet, collecting the winning could be challenging – especially if it is a significant amount from the lottery.

Q: How do you Make Money from Gambling?
The answer to this question is simple – you win more money than you wager. While many people will make money gambling in their lives, it is rarely anyone’s main source of income. Additionally, it is never recommended you treat gambling as a viable and reliable source of income. Gambling should be treated as a form of entertainment. If you have difficulty controlling your gambling, contact the customer service department at your online betting site to help you set limits and control your gambling.

U.S. Gambling Tax Recovery

Author: Brad Howland
First Posted: Jan. 2, 2007

Canadians who gamble in the United States may find that 30% of their winnings are withheld to cover U.S. non-resident's tax. Under certain circumstances, this tax can recovered by filing a U.S. tax return.

The IRS requires casinos and other gambling establishments to withhold 30% of the gambling winnings of Canadian visitors to the U.S. However, if you also have U.S. gambling losses during the year, it is possible to file a 1040NR return, deduct those losses from your winnings, and receive a refund of the tax withheld. You must have received 1042-S forms (or W-2G forms) from the gambling establishments showing income and tax withheld, and you must be a U.S. non-resident, for this procedure to work.

You must also have records to substantiate your losses. The IRS provides the following guideline on their website: 'It is important to keep an accurate diary or similar record of your gambling winnings and losses. To deduct your losses, you must be able to provide receipts, tickets, statements or other records that show the amount of both your winnings and losses.'

Your diary should record the date, location, and type of your gambling activities, as well as amounts won or lost. These records do not have to be submitted with the tax return, but must be available if requested by the IRS.

If you have winnings from blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette, or big-6 wheel, and the casino gave you Form 1042-S showing that tax was withheld, you don't require gambling losses to claim a full refund of the tax.

The tax refund is obtained by following two basic steps:

Best Casinos In Canada

1. Obtain an ITIN Number

If you do not have a U.S. Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) you need to apply for one by submitting Form W-7 to the IRS along with your tax return. The application process requires you to submit certain documents as proof of identity and foreign status:

IRS has streamlined the number of documents the agency will accept as proof of identity to obtain an ITIN. There are now 13 acceptable documents.

An original, or a certified or notarized copy, of an UNEXPIRED passport is the only document that is accepted for both identity and foreign status. If you do not have a passport, you must provide a combination of current documents that contain expiration dates - we accept docs issued within 12 months of the application if no expiration date is normally available. The documents must also show your name and photograph, and support your claim of foreign status.

IRS will accept certified or notarized copies of a combination (two or more) of the following documents, in lieu of a passport:

Casino Tax Recovery Canada

• National identification card (must show photo, name, current address, date of birth, and expiration date)
• U.S. driver's license
• Civil birth certificate
• Foreign driver's license
• U.S. state identification card
• Foreign voter's registration card
• U.S. military identification card
• Foreign military identification card
• Visa
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) photo identification
• Medical records (dependents - under 14 years old - only)
• School records (dependents and/or students - under 25 years old - only)

(Source)

Gambling Tax Canada

Naturally, you probably don't want to send original copies of your documents to the IRS. Although it possible to send certified or notarized copies, there is a catch: copies must be certified by the 'issuing agency or official custodian of the original record,' or 'notarized by a U.S. notary public legally authorized within his or her local jurisdiction to certify that the document is a true copy of the original.' For Canadian residents who don't want to travel to the United States just to find a notary, U.S. notaries public are available at U.S. embassies and consulates in Canada.

In our practice we have used the notary services available at the Vancouver Consulate General, with good success and a reasonable turn-around time. However, it may be more convenient for you to drop into the nearest Canadian passport office and have them make a certified copy of your passport. At the time of this writing, it is free and seems to take about a week to get ready.

Alternatively, if you don't want to go through the somewhat onerous process of applying for an ITIN by yourself, you can use an official IRS 'Certifying Acceptance Agent.' An Acceptance Agent is authorized by IRS to assist individuals in obtaining ITINs, and will probably charge a fee for the service provided. The IRS posts a list of Acceptance Agents on it's website. The list is updated quarterly, and many are located in Canada.

2. Prepare the 1040NR Return

ITIN applications on Form W-7 are required to be submitted to the IRS with the tax return as an accompanying attachment, along with the necessary original, certified or notarized documents (as above). Your package is sent to the Austin, Texas mailing address at:

Internal Revenue Service
Austin Service Center
ITIN Operation, P.O. Box 149342
Austin, TX 78714-9342

In general you can expect it to take at least three-four months to process your return and refund. It is acceptable to file 1040NR returns and claim refunds for the previous three years. We provide Form W-7 and 1040NR preparation services for $300, plus 12% HST and shipping.

Casino Tax Refund Canada

Related Websites

Canada Casino Winnings Tax Free

IRS Tax Topic 419
Gambling Income and Expenses