US Members Poll: Your SSN# and Online Casinos

[The Dude]

US players poll - please only vote if you are a US resident.

Regulation for online gaming is a fact in Europe, and it's on the horizon in the US. I received this the other day from Nordicbet concerning their Danish facing casinos:

NordicBet naturally has a Danish gaming license for Sportsbook, Poker and Casino.

With the license comes certain requirements from The Danish Gaming Authority which means that from 1st March players have to log in with NemID as well as their Social Security number (CPR), which has been a requirement since 1st January.

This underscores my thoughts on the US casinos that will be coming online eventually: US players (and affiliates) will more than likely be required to sign up with their Social Security Number.

As a player from the US, would this make you uncomfortable? Or would you have no issues giving a Vegas casino your SSN#? You have to do this when winning (please correct me if I am wrong) $1500 or more. Right?

Or as a US player, would you continue to play at US facing casinos that are not licensed in the US?

 

[ksech]

Yes, you have to supply your SSN for a 1099 G (?) gambling which is reported to the IRS at tax time. I do know if you play at WorldWinner (which is considered a skill games site), they report any winnings over $600 to the IRS. So, I don't know what will happen if/when legalized online gambling for US players comes about.

Anything over $1500 won at the racinos or Indian casinos, you are required to fill out a tax form. I don't know if you can opt to have taxes pulled out from your winnings immediately though (as I have never been fortunate enough to ever win that much )

I would be happy to be able to play at the MG casinos I was able to play at before the UIGEA and the few playtech casinos and maybe try some of the other softwares mentioned here everyone is raving about. I want my freedom of choice back without the hassle of waiting days/weeks/months for a withdrawal. Or being scared some ewallet is going to abscond with my money.

 

[pokeraddict]

FWIW the Nevada Gaming regulations for online poker that have already passed, and the California online poker bill currently pending, both require players to give their SSN#. I would expect all US legal sites to require this to track taxes. What fun would it be if the feds could not watch your every move online?

 

[KasinoKing]

Yes, you have to supply your SSN for a 1099 G (?) gambling which is reported to the IRS at tax time. I do know if you play at WorldWinner (which is considered a skill games site), they report any winnings over $600 to the IRS. So, I don't know what will happen if/when legalized online gambling for US players comes about.

Anything over $1500 won at the racinos or Indian casinos, you are required to fill out a tax form. I don't know if you can opt to have taxes pulled out from your winnings immediately though (as I have never been fortunate enough to ever win that much )

I presume they want this info so they can tax you on your winnings.
So what happens when you lose a large amount - should you give the casinos your details then so you can get a tax rebate?

KK

 

[Mousey]

IMO, what US regulators need to do (but won't) is set up a centralized database with oversight by the gambling commission (or whatever). If I so choose, I could register all necessary ID docs and soc sec, etc., at ONE place, after I'm verified, they send me a number specific to me/my account. Then when I register at an online casino, I tell them I'm Mousey, I'm already registered to play at any/all USA online casinos, and my user # is ....... Then I wouldn't have to spew my info all over the internet to every Tom, Dick and Harry. It will never happen, and hackers (or crooked employees who are losing their house, or their brother is on drugs, or whatever they need bucks for) will have their choice of online gaming sites to glean personal info, card and SS#'s from.

I won't like doing it, but if I play online, I will. They must enable a secure method to transfer sensitive docs. Plain ol' email for sending SS and copies of CC, etc. won't cut it.

I don't think it would be like the old days when I'd sign up wherever the notion struck -- I see myself greatly limiting the number of places I would play online.

 

[ksech]

I presume they want this info so they can tax you on your winnings.
So what happens when you lose a large amount - should you give the casinos your details then so you can get a tax rebate?

KK

As it stands now with the B&Ms, you can deduct losses up to the amount of your wins as long as you have receipts showing your losses. This can include lottery tickets and scratch off tickets.

I live in NY state, we're taxed on just about everything. They haven't figured out how to tax us on the air we breathe yet though (although it does cost $1 for 2 minutes of air to put air in the tires of your vehicle). We pay a 5 cent per bottle tax on carbonated beverages (which you get back if you return the bottle) on top of the county tax per bottle. We have an entertainment tax, we pay more in taxes for a pack of cigarettes than the cigarettes actually cost (once you get closer to the city they cost more too) this is called the Sin tax which also covers the tax on alcoholic beverages. We have a lot of silly taxes here.

So, for them to tax winnings for online play (which they already do of B&M play) won't be too much different, IMO. As Mousey stated though, they will need to come up with a secure way to handle this sensitive information. This could be a big hinderance since we all know our government isn't too adept at handling finances well...

 

[cpdnd31]

As it is right now. USA Land based casinos any win (slot) over 1199.00 is required to collect ID and W2 form with signature. If playing on table games the minute a player reaches the 10,000 mark a special form has to be filed by the casino with player ID and if possible S.S number. Casinos face huge fines if this form is not filled out. ( I know this for I was a Floor supervisor in casino). This 10.000 mark will reset in a 24 hour period. They are very strict on the table game policy. When a player hits 7000.00 a casino manager is notified the moment the 9,000 is hit gaming control has security snap a photo of the player and this is also attached to form. A player is asked for ID if he fails to produce on at the 9000.00 mark he is asked to leave casino. (its there right to allow a player in a casino. This stops casino from being responsible and possible being fines if player does hit 10,000 mark. ) hope this info helps.

 

[TheLastCylon]

Good God, not a chance!

I don't use download casinos for security and stability reasons. All of my finances run through middlemen. I wouldn't give my SS# to a casino if they held a gun to my head.

Absurd, absolutely absurd.

 

[P.V.]

US Interactive Gaming, SSN requirement.

If they're licensed and regulated within the states I have no problem as I know the gaming commissions will due their due diligence.

I was a bit confused with I'll do it but under reservations. The term reservation doesn't seem definitive enough, so I went with no problem.

BTW - This is a Nevada requirement during registration for online poker.

 

[Luckylizzy]

I'm in favor of Mousey's idea. That sounds like a really secure and simple way to do it!

 

[footdr]

US players poll - please only vote if you are a US resident.

Regulation for online gaming is a fact in Europe, and it's on the horizon in the US. I received this the other day from Nordicbet concerning their Danish facing casinos:



This underscores my thoughts on the US casinos that will be coming online eventually: US players (and affiliates) will more than likely be required to sign up with their Social Security Number.

As a player from the US, would this make you uncomfortable? Or would you have no issues giving a Vegas casino your SSN#? You have to do this when winning (please correct me if I am wrong) $1500 or more. Right?

Or as a US player, would you continue to play at US facing casinos that are not licensed in the US?

the only time I have had to provide SS# is the last four digits when making credit card deposits and that is only on an infrequent basis. It has never been a requirement to cashout regardless of the amount.

 

[footdr]

Are we talking about land based or online casinos? there is a difference

Even with land based casinos you only have to provide your SS# when hitting a jackpot. As far as online, you never have to provide your entire ss# number no matter what your win. The only time your win is reported to the IRS is when winning big at a land based casino; as online casinos currently do not report winnings to the IRS. However if you play and win at a Skill Based website such as World Winner your winnings above 600.00 are reported to the IRS.

 

[butterflyboogie]

SS number

I like the idea Mousey has, give all the pertinent information to one central site and then everything is taken care of before we begin. The only thing about this is the fact that every time we play we can be monitored and I don't like the fact that every move I make is being scrutinized. I am sure with it being online there will be more rigorous rules than in a B&M. That being said, I want to play so if it comes down to it I guess I will give it.

 

[secret2]

I like the idea Mousey has, give all the pertinent information to one central site and then everything is taken care of before we begin. The only thing about this is the fact that every time we play we can be monitored and I don't like the fact that every move I make is being scrutinized. I am sure with it being online there will be more rigorous rules than in a B&M. That being said, I want to play so if it comes down to it I guess I will give it.

I agree. I want to play where and when I want to.

I really don't care about Big Bro' watching me, as the wins have to be taxed ...it is what it is but the pay offs, such as freedom to play where I want to, means more to me.

 

[footdr]

so is Casinomeister talking about landbased or online casinos?

 

[chuchu59]

I presume they want this info so they can tax you on your winnings.
So what happens when you lose a large amount - should you give the casinos your details then so you can get a tax rebate?

KK

This is only fair but for any financial year the rebate should only be given if there are net winnings. If one has a net loss, then the tax liability should not be reduced.

 

[P.V.]

so is Casinomeister talking about landbased or online casinos?

I think he's talking about the Nevada online poker reg. that requires your SSN# during regristration.

They need it for tax purposes on winnings but the more I think about it, I don't like the setup. Instead of asking for your SSN during registration, why not ask for it during required 30 days following, where a player must provide additional information to prove identify.

A player can provide their SSN etc. during this process, through secure means avoiding the backing up and unnecessary storage of all their players SSN# on the casino server.

The regulated process is going to allow SSN# on every gaming server, not good, IMO.

 

[Surasanji]

I am no longer a US resident- but I do maintain my citizenship.

I wouldn't give my SS# to anyone online. Ever.

 

[jelsmith]

Yes, you have to supply your SSN for a 1099 G (?) gambling which is reported to the IRS at tax time. I do know if you play at WorldWinner (which is considered a skill games site), they report any winnings over $600 to the IRS. So, I don't know what will happen if/when legalized online gambling for US players comes about.

Anything over $1500 won at the racinos or Indian casinos, you are required to fill out a tax form. I don't know if you can opt to have taxes pulled out from your winnings immediately though (as I have never been fortunate enough to ever win that much )

I would be happy to be able to play at the MG casinos I was able to play at before the UIGEA and the few playtech casinos and maybe try some of the other softwares mentioned here everyone is raving about. I want my freedom of choice back without the hassle of waiting days/weeks/months for a withdrawal. Or being scared some ewallet is going to abscond with my money.

You can opt to just let them take the tax straight out of the winnings without giving your SS# and filling out the 1099....I used to do this all the time.

 

[J.B.]

US players poll - please only vote if you are a US resident.

Regulation for online gaming is a fact in Europe, and it's on the horizon in the US. I received this the other day from Nordicbet concerning their Danish facing casinos:



This underscores my thoughts on the US casinos that will be coming online eventually: US players (and affiliates) will more than likely be required to sign up with their Social Security Number.

As a player from the US, would this make you uncomfortable? Or would you have no issues giving a Vegas casino your SSN#? You have to do this when winning (please correct me if I am wrong) $1500 or more. Right?

Or as a US player, would you continue to play at US facing casinos that are not licensed in the US?

It's $1200 or more from slots/video poker/bingo, and $600 or more from table games if the prize was at least 300 times the bet. Either of those will trigger a W-2G form which requires your SS#, however, you are allowed to refuse to give your SS#. If you don't give it, the casino will send 28% of your win to the IRS and give you the remaining 72%. (This is also what happens with foreign tourists who have no SS#.)

For me personally:

1) I have no problem giving my SS# to a U.S. land casino.

2) I would have no problem giving my SS# to a U.S.-based online casino (although I would do the same research on them before signing up like I would with a foreign online casino).

3) I would have no problem giving my SS# to a foreign online casino as long as it is clear that they comply with U.S. tax regulations, and this is verifiable from a U.S. government website. If they simply have a SS# field in their signup form for the sake of having a SS# field in their signup form, then they are getting a fake SS#.

 

[peteyweestro]

I would do it even though i don't really like it but as a long time horse race bettor, i know they do it for the IRS. I am not sure as it's been awhile but it used to be any win $600 or higher on a $1 bet had to be reported at the IRS window at the tack or OTB facility

 

[slotplayer]

I'd not give it to any place located outside the US. I didn't even like using my debit card.
Some places I had to it give like Google and PayPal but those are for my retail site and are big companies.
Hell there was just a story on the news about some stealing usa citizens tax refunds by getting a hold of their ss #.

My bank sent me a new Mastercard as a precaution as someone hacked Global Payments a couple weeks ago
and got a hold of 1.5 million mc and visa card #'s.

full story

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

 

[P.V.]

The more I think about this, not sure why Nevada is requesting it during registration.

Now if you're cashing out a win above $600.00 then I can see the request but many will never cash out so why the need to store this very sensitive information?

They don't need your entire U.S. SS# for ID verification crosschecking as this can be done with just the last 4 digits and therefore it's definitely for tax purposes.

So rather than exposing your SS# to multiple poker site servers, they should consider only asking during a withdraw but in a secure encrypted manner.