HOFF goes to America - My Casino Travel Thread :)

[hoff1985]

Hey Guys i thought it's fun to make a thread about my upcoming trip to the US. As often i go for vacation to the US for 3 weeks. Starting on the 10th of October (next Friday).

I already planned about 4-5 landbased casino visits, and besides that lots of cool other things... Thought it might be fun to keep you guys updates about my trip here... Sharing my best screenshots in the casinos but also maybe other findings and funny pictures i will make there. I will not play online slots for those 3 weeks over there so i can focus on making posts and keeping you guys in the loop

Maybe it's fun for some of you...

Hope you like the idea!

I just think after over 1000 posts it's a definitely more than just a random forum for me. Although i still prefer meeting people in person, this is just such an awesome community, and my friends are not as crazy about slots as i am, so it's good to find other "sick" people out there ;-)

PS: When i now think about it, i think the only reason for this post is that you guys won't forget me, and my favorite casinos will still be sending me offers when i'm back

Cheers

 

[Tirilej]

Last time you had some young lady with you. Is she coming now too?

I'll follow your journey, but please some normal photos too. I'm not that interested in some machines I'll never see for real

Have a good time

 

[hoff1985]

Last time you had some young lady with you. Is she coming now too? I'll follow your journey, but please some normal photos too. I'm not that interested in some machines I'll never see for real Have a good time

Yep Yep, same lady yeah i'll promise ;-)

 

[bigjohn]

Hey Guys i thought it's fun to make a thread about my upcoming trip to the US. As often i go for vacation to the US for 3 weeks. Starting on the 10th of October (next Friday).

I already planned about 4-5 landbased casino visits, and besides that lots of cool other things... Thought it might be fun to keep you guys updates about my trip here... Sharing my best screenshots in the casinos but also maybe other findings and funny pictures i will make there. I will not play online slots for those 3 weeks over there so i can focus on making posts and keeping you guys in the loop

Maybe it's fun for some of you...

Hope you like the idea!

I just think after over 1000 posts it's a definitely more than just a random forum for me. Although i still prefer meeting people in person, this is just such an awesome community, and my friends are not as crazy about slots as i am, so it's good to find other "sick" people out there ;-)

PS: When i now think about it, i think the only reason for this post is that you guys won't forget me, and my favorite casinos will still be sending me offers when i'm back

Cheers

If you find yourself in Atlantic City, New Jersey be sure to check out all the happening joints in The Borgata;

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. A lot of nice little bars and eateries and the buffet is second to none. Of course they also have all the latest slots and all other games.

I also highly recommend the Tun Tavern;

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for a nice micro-brew and their 1 pound burger.

Enjoy.

 

[dunover]

How much of that jackpot have you got left?......

Have a good time!

As for Tirilej just put a sticker of the 32red logo on each slot you photograph and then she'll be interested....

 

[homerbert]

Good luck Hoff, i'll be waiting some stories/photos too
P.S. Dunover awesome joke, can't stop laughing

 

[Tirilej]

P.S. Dunover awesome joke, can't stop laughing

I can

The worst part is that he's funny :sob:

 

[paul7388]

Enjoy your holiday. Hope you have a great time and win big.

Look forward to hearing and seeing how the trip goes

 

[hoff1985]

How much of that jackpot have you got left?......

Have a good time!

As for Tirilej just put a sticker of the 32red logo on each slot you photograph and then she'll be interested....

Well, maybe less than you think but i got out of my leasing, bought a new car, paid already all taxes for this year, paid off older open taxes and bills etc.

It was life changing for me as i have now more breath and it's easier to put something aside

 

[dunover]

Well, maybe less than you think but i got out of my leasing, bought a new car, paid already all taxes for this year, paid off older open taxes and bills etc.

It was life changing for me as i have now more breath and it's easier to put something aside

No, I wasn't suggesting you'd squandered it. You've just done what any rational person would've done i.e. get 'ahead' on things then treat yourself and left a clear path for the future. I think most on here would agree it would have been a shame for someone less controlled than you to have won it and then given it all back. Enjoy the holiday!

 

[hoff1985]

No, I wasn't suggesting you'd squandered it. You've just done what any rational person would've done i.e. get 'ahead' on things then treat yourself and left a clear path for the future. I think most on here would agree it would have been a shame for someone less controlled than you to have won it and then given it all back. Enjoy the holiday!

A few days after the big win i was betting crazy. I just wanted to experience that, so i did bets over 10$, but only for a few days because i wanted to experience how that is.... (Did it only once in my life back in my days when i wasn't that strong). I probably risked loosing a couple of thousands (worst case), but i went out of this pretty much break even.

I still bet higher though as i've used too but i'm again very strict about bet sizes. I used to be a low roller, now i'm more of a mid/high roller betting mostly between 3 and 5$ (but never more). But i'm not blasting more money overall, i just have quicker sessions sometimes

 

[hoff1985]

Hey Guys,

fist update. Drove abit around and now arrived in Dallas. No gambling so far and shitty weather, but i do already fell in love with my favorite restaurant chain again (Chilis) and of course the crazy americans (see pic below). more updates soon, heading for the the winstar casino in oklahoma... 8500 slots, yeey!!

 

[hoff1985]

Hey Guys,

just arrived in Amarillo,Tx after a fun time at the Winstar Casino in Oklahoma. Awesome place. Different buildings each representing a different city in the world, with fitting restaurants etc. Fantastic.

Insane amout of slots.

Was up and down several times.... Including a 1000$ win where they took 38% taxes away, grrr.... In the end i finished my first casinomon this trip eith sround 200$ plus. A big achievment as i leave the landbased casinos (other hüthan online ones) mostly negative.

I had a funny session at the Walking dead slot. a really fun slot with a huge amount of different bonus features and interesting random wild features on any spin. Really cool. I will keep you guys posted, now i'm relaxing... I made the same mistale again that i make every time and thought i can easily make it through a large Pizza Hut pizza.... It's not easy though....

PS: Please someone note down all slot release between 10 Oct and 1 of November, so that i can test them all when i'm back ;-) So far i know about the MG devil one and the new South Park slot coming up end of Oct.

Cheers

 

[SlotMonster]

We need more photos! And please make few videos of bonus rounds, I'm sure your camera is able to record videos.

Net Ent introduced Cosmic Fortune, and we are still waiting for the Game of Thrones to be announced.

 

[hoff1985]

We need more photos! And please make few videos of bonus rounds, I'm sure your camera is able to record videos. Net Ent introduced Cosmic Fortune, and we are still waiting for the Game of Thrones to be announced.

Yeah i know, i had no battery left when i visited the first casino on this trip.... (damn iphone), but still 4 casinos to go ;-))

 

[hoff1985]

Hey Guys,

finally another update... Since my last update we went to Vegas, Laughlin and are now at wonderful Lake Havasu in the middle of the desert. After two grewt Xountry shows along the way (Zac Brown / Toby Keith) were heading out for Phenix today. Last casino on the lost is then Casino del Sol in Tucson.

Unfortunately i always get magically soaked in by all these "big" slots, at least sometimes it pays out. I love the Walking Dead slot, especially because the bonus wheel get's retriggered automatically if you win coins and a jackpot until you hit a bonus round. willy wonka is also funny, especially ir the oompa loompa feature is in a good mood. Some more pictures will follow later as my wifi connection is horrible here...

Can't wait to try out all the new online slots when i'm back... so far as i see are the red mg one, the new south park slot and a new playngo rich wilde slot.... exciting ;-)

cheers from the hot but beautiful Lake Havasu.

 

[BMWSTACK]

Hey Guys,

No gambling so far and shitty weather, but i do already fell in love with my favorite restaurant chain again (Chilis) and of course the crazy americans (see pic below). more updates soon, heading for the the winstar casino in oklahoma... 8500 slots, yeey!!

Oh no Chilis. You need to go explore some more restaurants. Chains like this have gone down significantly because its mostly shipped in prepared food that's warmed up.

 

[dunover]

Hey Guys,

just arrived in Amarillo,Tx after a fun time at the Winstar Casino in Oklahoma. Awesome place. Different buildings each representing a different city in the world, with fitting restaurants etc. Fantastic.

Insane amout of slots.

Was up and down several times.... Including a 1000$ win where they took 38% taxes away, grrr.... In the end i finished my first casinomon this trip eith sround 200$ plus. A big achievment as i leave the landbased casinos (other hüthan online ones) mostly negative.

I had a funny session at the Walking dead slot. a really fun slot with a huge amount of different bonus features and interesting random wild features on any spin. Really cool. I will keep you guys posted, now i'm relaxing... I made the same mistale again that i make every time and thought i can easily make it through a large Pizza Hut pizza.... It's not easy though....

PS: Please someone note down all slot release between 10 Oct and 1 of November, so that i can test them all when i'm back ;-) So far i know about the MG devil one and the new South Park slot coming up end of Oct.

Cheers

If you aren't an American, you still have to pay taxes??? OMG!
Do the gambling addicts get 38% of their yearly losses back too?

 

[Balthazar]

If you aren't an American, you still have to pay taxes??? OMG!

You pay taxes upfront to the casino but you can claim them back when you get home. You have to send them a form and stuff.

Do the gambling addicts get 38% of their yearly losses back too?

If they keep track of their losses and they are greater than their wins they can claim all their "winning" taxes back at the end of the year. Basically, if you're in the red at the end of a fiscal year you don't pay taxes.

In Canada you don't have to pay taxes on casino wins except if you do it for a living (like a pro poker player) and your wins exceed your losses.

 

[hoff1985]

You pay taxes upfront to the casino but you can claim them back when you get home. You have to send them a form and stuff. If they keep track of their losses and they are greater than their wins they can claim all their "winning" taxes back at the end of the year. Basically, if you're in the red at the end of a fiscal year you don't pay taxes. In Canada you don't have to pay taxes on casino wins except if you do it for a living (like a pro poker player) and your wins exceed your losses.

yeah but its a painful process and take years!!

in swiss (landbased) casinos winnings are also tax free, a good thing

 

[funnymunny]

If you aren't an American, you still have to pay taxes??? OMG!

I cannot speak for all countries, but if you are classed as a British national, no taxes are deducted or withheld from your wins.

As long as you have some suitable identification (in my most recent Vegas trip it was my passport (wins here and here)), the casino will complete a 1042-S form ('Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding'), and as long as you sign it, you will be paid your entire winnings there and then in full. You will be issued with a copies B & C of this form, and within a few weeks, an exemption card will be sent to the address specified on your ID. Keep this card with you on future trips & then new forms do not have to be completed each time.

See also

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Including a 1000$ win where they took 38% taxes away, grrr....

@ Hoff - I've had a quick look to see if I could find anything about if the above also applies to Swiss nationals, but haven't had any immediate success. I'd suggest it would be well worth your time double-checking online or with the casinos if the exemption also applies to you. (It may well be that the smaller casinos away from the gambling hubs of Vegas and AC don't have as much experience with foreign nationals & as such, it's easier for them to deduct taxes than fill out some forms. (FYI in my case, the 'Income Code' used was 28, and 'Exemption Code' was 04).

Hope this helps & best of luck for the rest of the trip

 

[hoff1985]

I cannot speak for all countries, but if you are classed as a British national, no taxes are deducted or withheld from your wins. As long as you have some suitable identification (in my most recent Vegas trip it was my passport (wins here and here)), the casino will complete a 1042-S form ('Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding'), and as long as you sign it, you will be paid your entire winnings there and then in full. You will be issued with a copies B & C of this form, and within a few weeks, an exemption card will be sent to the address specified on your ID. Keep this card with you on future trips & then new forms do not have to be completed each time. See also

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@ Hoff - I've had a quick look to see if I could find anything about if the above also applies to Swiss nationals, but haven't had any immediate success. I'd suggest it would be well worth your time double-checking online or with the casinos if the exemption also applies to you. (It may well be that the smaller casinos away from the gambling hubs of Vegas and AC don't have as much experience with foreign nationals & as such, it's easier for them to deduct taxes than fill out some forms. (FYI in my case, the 'Income Code' used was 28, and 'Exemption Code' was 04). Hope this helps & best of luck for the rest of the trip

Well i only wo. Iver 1000 on this trip at the Isleta Casino (indian casino), and they said i still have to pay taxes although i'm not american... I was just to bored and disn't want to get into a long discussion... I heard of cases where they could get the money back AFTER the win by filling iut forme and sending them somewhere but i do not know of friends around me that were able to immediately cash out the full amount in an american casino.

 

[Balthazar]

yeah but its a painful process and take years!!

Years? Try a couple of weeks.

 

[funnymunny]

I heard of cases where they could get the money back AFTER the win by filling iut forme and sending them somewhere but i do not know of friends around me that were able to immediately cash out the full amount in an american casino.

According to the IRS website, it is the casino's responsibility to complete the form. (Confirmed under "Who Must File" on the instructions for form found

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. (Also defines a withholding agent later in same document as "...any person, U.S. or foreign, that has control, receipt, or custody of an amount subject to withholding under chapter 3, who can disburse or make payments of an amount subject to withholding, or who makes a withholdable payment...")).

On page 26 of the referenced document, the countries that the US has "...entered into an Income Tax treaty..." with. Switzerland is on that list. That said, Canada is also on the list & Balthazar has stated

You pay taxes upfront to the casino but you can claim them back when you get home

I don't know why different countries on the same list are treated differently, but hopefully reading through it completely will clarify. (26 pages of legal tax talk isn't my idea of fun, but if it ensures the immediate 38% is avoided, then it's certainly worthwhile).


I could be completely wrong, but I'm going to hazard a guess that the casino told you they had to withhold 38% of your winnings because either the person sorting-out you payment wasn't aware, they were too lazy to find out, or a combination of the two. For sake of clarity though, I (and many others I know from UK) have never had any winnings withheld due to taxes / have always been given the full amount once we've signed the 1042-S form, or produced our US Gov issued card that proves we're registered with them as a non-resident and able to have their winnings in full.

Hope this helps

 

[hoff1985]

Thanks for the info, will keep that in mind for my next trip...

The casinos are now done. I had a lot of fun, althoug the slot selection is sometimes pretty lame... One of the newer slots i was able to find was the fortune progressive, that wqs quite a lot of fun... Has anyone played it before?

I had several 300-700$ wins buz also lost... I think overall i'm down about 800-1000$ this trip, but i was calculating this, so that's fine.

We've been now the last few days in Phoenix, Tucson, 3 days in beautiful San Antonio and now heading towards Galveston. On saturday i fly back home from Houston to Switzerland....

Can't wait to try some online slots again when i'm home... Especially the new Souh Park slots sounds good for a "bonus round and random feature" junkie like me.

I will post now regularely again and with less typos... (i still can't write on this damn ipad)

cheers,
hoff