If you hit a big jackpot at a casino, do you need your SS card?
Dec 27th, 2005, 04:02 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 25,045
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you hit a big jackpot at a casino, do you need your SS card?
Over the weekend my Mom and I drove 2 hours from her home in NE TX to Shreveport, LA and spent the day at the casinos. When we got to Shreveport, Mom was very upset to discover she had left her SS card at home. She said if you hit a big jackpot and you don't have your SS card with you, then you cannot collect.
I have a very hard time believing this. It seems like it would be an easy task these days to get on the computer and verify someone's SS#. Does anyone have any first hand experience?
BTW, in our case it was a non-issue. The gambling gods were not good to us. But it was a fun day anyway.
I have a very hard time believing this. It seems like it would be an easy task these days to get on the computer and verify someone's SS#. Does anyone have any first hand experience?
BTW, in our case it was a non-issue. The gambling gods were not good to us. But it was a fun day anyway.
Dec 27th, 2005, 04:44 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I won $2,000 (which is a HUGE jackpot for me, lol) and needed my SS number. As it happens, I did have the card - and gave it to the casino worker - but I didn't need it. I may be one of the few people in the world who doesn't know what his/her SS number is.
Dec 27th, 2005, 05:07 PM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 25,045
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for your reply, Susan. Congrats on your win, $2,000 would be a huge jackpot for me too. 
I would expect that they will ask for a SS#, (hello, IRS) but it seems like the card itself shouldn't be necessary. Surely there's a way to verify a person's SS#.
I would expect that they will ask for a SS#, (hello, IRS) but it seems like the card itself shouldn't be necessary. Surely there's a way to verify a person's SS#.
Dec 27th, 2005, 06:12 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I hit for $9000.00 a few years back and the casino asked for my ss number but did not require I show my card. I also received a W-2g in the mail and of course a copy was ssent to the IRS.
Haven't had to worry about my ss number in Vegas lately!!!!
Haven't had to worry about my ss number in Vegas lately!!!!
Dec 27th, 2005, 06:32 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've never heard of anyone requiring to show their SS card at a casino. Did your mom not have her SSN memorized and therefore could not provide the casino with the SSN? The casino will usually ask for a photo ID (usually driver's license) and your SSN but not the card. They will also submit the W-2 for any jackpot $1600 or more.
I remember my dad was amazed that I had my SSN memorized as he could never remember his, but he remembered his dog tag ID number from WW2.
I remember my dad was amazed that I had my SSN memorized as he could never remember his, but he remembered his dog tag ID number from WW2.
Dec 27th, 2005, 07:29 PM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As long as you know your social security number, the card isn't necessary. Typically, and I don't know if all states follow this guideline -- but you don't have to verify anything unless you win $1200 or more. I think that is the federal government point at which you have to pay taxes on a win.
You could win multiple jackpots under $1200 and not have to pay anything, but once you hit a single jackpot over that $1,200 limit you must report it to the IRS.
You will notice in some casino's that they have slot machines set to jackpot at $1,199 to avoid the taxable payouts!
You could win multiple jackpots under $1200 and not have to pay anything, but once you hit a single jackpot over that $1,200 limit you must report it to the IRS.
You will notice in some casino's that they have slot machines set to jackpot at $1,199 to avoid the taxable payouts!
Dec 27th, 2005, 08:37 PM
#9
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 7,395
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
also join all the casinos members clubs (they're free) and get all those credit card like things that you stick into the slots as that keeps track of all your bets so if you have gambling profits (from a big jackpot) you are entitled to itemize your gambling losses too. the casinos can print out how much you have played, so the taxes on the windfall can be less with proof of your losses.
Dec 28th, 2005, 03:05 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,540
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hubby hit $6,000.00 in New Orleans a couple years ago and didn't have to show his card then. I'm assuming he had to give them his SS# since that money is reported to the IRS for taxes, but he filled out the necessary paperwork and was gone with the money and a big smile on his face!
Dec 28th, 2005, 09:33 AM
#14
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If I am remembering correctly, you only have to give SSN for slots and chance games jackpots, not for table games, like poker or blackjack. That's because they are considered "skill" games, where the others are random.
But, as I said, I could be wrong...and I've never won enough at blackjack to know personally...
But, as I said, I could be wrong...and I've never won enough at blackjack to know personally...
Dec 28th, 2005, 10:07 AM
#15
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No - you need to give your SS # so the government can tax the money regardless of the type of game - they tax you at the track too - which arguably involves skill in winning. The only determining factor is the amont of money you have won. I beleive that anything over $1000 must be reported to the government so the IRS can track you down.
Dec 28th, 2005, 12:28 PM
#16
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,879
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Unless federal law has changed in the past year or so, the boundary is $600. That's the point at which any payor is required to file a tax report with IRS, identifying the payee.
I do some work with the local casinos and they do not pay out unless the winner provides a SSN or a US taxpayer ID in his or her name. If the winner cannot provide that at the time, the money is held in reserve for a period of six months, pending that information. The winner must claim his or her winnings, in person, providing acceptable ID and the SSN or TID within that six months or they no longer have a valid claim to it.
What I quoted is Nevada law. Procedures and requirements may vary in other states but the $600 limit is federal.
I do some work with the local casinos and they do not pay out unless the winner provides a SSN or a US taxpayer ID in his or her name. If the winner cannot provide that at the time, the money is held in reserve for a period of six months, pending that information. The winner must claim his or her winnings, in person, providing acceptable ID and the SSN or TID within that six months or they no longer have a valid claim to it.
What I quoted is Nevada law. Procedures and requirements may vary in other states but the $600 limit is federal.
Dec 28th, 2005, 05:06 PM
#18
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,233
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting question that leads to another question regarding table games.
Suppose you make a $1000 bet at a blackjack or craps table and win. They just slide the chips to you and don't ask for a SSN. So why does it work that way?
Suppose you make a $1000 bet at a blackjack or craps table and win. They just slide the chips to you and don't ask for a SSN. So why does it work that way?
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tuckerdc
United States
32
Nov 12th, 2005 09:33 AM
