Ep 561: A "Long Overdue" Change for US Casino Slot Players

In this episode of iGaming Daily, SBC's Charlie Horner and Tom Nightingale dive into the far-reaching implications of the newly introduced “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, a sweeping US budget bill that has sparked major conversations in the gambling sector.

While much of the media attention has focused on the bill’s controversial limitation on deducting gambling losses, the episode shines a light on a more overlooked, yet crucial, aspect: an update to the tax reporting threshold for slot machine jackpot wins.

Tom, who was among the first to break the story, explains how the threshold, untouched since 1977, has finally been raised from $1,200 to $2,000, with future adjustments tied to inflation.

This change addresses a long-standing pain point in casino operations, where a modest jackpot win could halt a machine for nearly an hour while a W2G tax form was processed. The industry has widely applauded the update, with the American Gaming Association calling it a "long overdue modernisation." 

In the second half of the episode, SBC's Managing Editor, Jessica Welman, provides a report from her time at the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) summer conference in Louisville, Kentucky. From prediction markets to VGTs in rural communities, and the polarising "cannibalisation panel" examining iGaming’s impact on land-based casinos.

Highlights include controversial remarks from former CFTC Counselor Josh Sterling, who downplayed responsible gambling protections, and a heated exchange between industry figures on the future of online gambling.

Host: Charlie Horner
Guest: Tom Nightingale
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: James Ross

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