For nearly a decade, lawmakers such as Rep. Dina Titus have continuously urged the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to raise the existing threshold on slot winnings that require a W-2G tax form. The current regulation requires anyone with winnings of $1,200 or more to submit a W-2G tax form. This policy was established back in 1977, a time when Nevada was the only state where gambling was available.

But much has changed since then, including the statewide expansion of casino gambling via commercial and tribal operators across the United States. As a result, the existing regulation creates a burden not only for the IRS but for casino operators and their players, Titus said.

Titus, along with Rep. Guy Reschenthaler introduced the Shifting Limits on Thresholds Act, a legislative proposal that called to update the tax threshold for slot winnings, increasing it from $1,200 to $5,000. The proposal marked the latest effort of lawmakers to increase the threshold, updating the policy.

In November, the IRS Advisory Council (IRSAC) supported the proposed change to raise the tax threshold on slot winnings. It suggested the threshold for the required W-2G tax form to be raised to $5,800, which is even higher than the Representatives’ proposal. Considering this support, Titus and Reschenthaler urged the IRS once again to update the policy earlier this month.

In a recent interview for the Nevada Independent, Titus revealed that the policy update can be completed via a change in the regulations without a requirement for legislation. She encouraged Danny Werfel, IRS’ commissioner, to follow the recommendation of the IRS Advisory Council. Rep. Titus explained that it looks like the proposed legislation helped push forward the whole process.

AGA Supports the Proposed Change

The proposed change is important as it will reduce the burden on the customers and the gambling industry. What’s more, the IRS will have much fewer W-2G tax forms to process, considering the potential raising of the threshold. The American Gaming Association (AGA), the premier national trade group for the US casino industry, also showed support for the proposed change.

“The antiquated slot tax threshold creates unnecessary burdens for consumers, casino operators and the IRS.“

Bill Miller, CEO of the American Gaming Association

AGA’s CEO, Bill Miller, called the current policy “antiquated,” saying that it brings unnecessary burdens for the IRS, the consumers and the casino industry. “The AGA commends Representatives Reschenthaler and Titus and other Congressional leaders for their dedicated efforts to modernize this long-outdated policy and join them in urging Commissioner Werfel to raise the threshold,” he explained.

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A man for Oklahoma has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a man who jokingly bragged about winning at a local casino. As it turned out, the supposed winner had no money, which infuriating the killer.

Back in October 2020, the killer, Kevin Marvell Jackson, 22, was attending a house party in Muskogee with his girlfriend Natalie McMahon. There, he met with the victim, Bradley Dillon, 19, and another friend named Dakota Berryhill.

At one point, Dillon and Berryhill left the party and went to Creek Nation Casino Muskogee, a local gambling property. While on their way back to the party, the two called their friends and joked about winning $10,000.

The money tempted Jackson and, without taking time to consider whether Dilon and Berryhill had truly won a prize, he prepared to rob them. Jackson quickly grabbed a gun and hid his face with a ski mask. Then, he waited for the two other men to return and ambushed them as they got out of the car.

Jackson then learned that the two men had no money. Angry, he threatened them with a gun, telling them to drive to an ATM and withdraw some. At that point, Berryhill got scared, jumped back into the car and drove away, leaving his Dillon behind. The frustrated killer then took the young man’s life, shooting him five times.

Jackson Will Spend His Life Behind Bars

Dillon was rushed to St. Francis Hospital but was pronounced dead. In the meantime, the police began the search for the killer.

A woman by the name Vicky Garza saw the murder and helped the police identify the killer. Facebook Messenger conversations with McMahon helped the law enforcers incriminate him. However, it wouldn’t be before several weeks that the murderer was finally arrested.

Jackson’s despicable crime has now earned him two life sentences without the right for parole. He was also sentenced to 180 in prison for robbery in an Indian Country and 180 months in prison for using a firearm for a violent crime.

Attorney Christopher Wilson commented on the matter, saying that there is no room in society for people who commit “such callous acts” as Jackson.

In other legal news, two Las Vegas dealers were arrested for allegedly helping two regular baccarat players win big sums.

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