This is a list of potential restrictions and regulations on private ownership of slot machines in the United States on a state by state basis. State Legal Status. Slots are entirely legal at licensed casinos in PA. The state is home to 12 casinos and racetracks, with a 13th on the way. The biggest casino is Parx Casino, which offers 3,330 slots. The smallest is the Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin, which hosts 600 machines. Jul 01, 2019 What those fraudsters and slot cheats would then do is to send players to casinos all over the world and start playing slot machines on which there was a random number generator that could for all intents and purposes be cracked. On jackpots smaller than $5,000, an attendant verifies that you hit the jackpot and then assists you in claiming your money at the cashier's cage.In the case of a large or progressive jackpot, the casino may have technicians come and check the machine to certify that it was functioning properly when the jackpot hit. Jun 08, 2017 PA may expand gambling Associated Press The Pennsylvania House of Representatives late Wednesday night passed rushed legislation to expand casino-style gambling to the internet, airports, bars.
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Every county in Pennsylvania is still in the green phase which means that casinos in Pennsylvania are open. However, there are additional regulations. On Tuesday, Governor Tom Wolf nixed bar service. As part of new restrictions, bars can’t serve alcohol unless it is with a meal.
What does this mean for PA casinos?
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No drink service, sitting at the bar, and a lower capacity limit at restaurants.
Rise in COVID cases
A recent rise in COVID cases influenced the decision for increased statewide mitigation efforts. Governor Wolf and Sec. of Health Dr. Rachel Levine signed new orders that take effect at 12:01 a.m., Thursday, July 16.
“During the past week, we have seen an unsettling climb in new COVID-19 cases,” Gov. Wolf said. “When we hit our peak on April 9, we had nearly two thousand new cases that day with other days’ cases hovering around 1,000. Medical experts looking at the trajectory we are on now are projecting that this new surge could soon eclipse the April peak. With our rapid case increases we need to act again now.”
According to a June 23rd press release, Pennsylvania continues to ramp up contact-tracing efforts. As of June 18 (the most recent data available), there were a total of 518 contact tracers, and a total of 4,161 contacts under investigation.
Wardle commented about contact tracing:
“Our case investigations have provided us with information that bars and restaurants are the sources of some of the increases in cases.”
PA casinos open, but not their bars
Casinos can stay open as part of Gov. Wolf’s new orders.
Pennsylvania Department of Health spokesperson Nathan Wardle clarified for PlayPennsylvania.
“Casinos can remain in operation with the previously announced mitigation orders on masking and social distancing in place, but bars and restaurants within a casino will be impacted by the new orders issued by the governor and Secretary of Health, as well as private events that might be held within a casino.”
Updated restrictions for bars and restaurants include:
- Prohibition from conducting operations unless the facility offers sit-down, dine-in meals or is serving take-out sales of alcoholic beverages. All service must be at a table or booth. No bar service.
- Alcohol can only be served for on-premises consumption when in the same transaction as a meal.
- Occupancy may not exceed 25% for indoor dining, or 25 persons for a discrete indoor event or gathering in a restaurant. The maximum occupancy limit includes staff. (The previous occupancy limit for indoor dining was 50%).
Updated health and safety guidelines at PA casinos
Another fixture of casinos is now (temporarily) absent from the gaming experience. Wardle confirmed that casinos are may not sell alcoholic beverages on the gaming floor.
Last week, due to an updated mandate that masks must be worn in all public spaces, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board informed casinos that smoking was temporarily banned.
All 12 of Pennsylvania’s brick-and-mortar casinos closed by March 17. What was at first believed to be a two-week shutdown, turned into over one hundred days of darkness. Rivers Casino Pittsburgh and The Meadows were the first casinos to welcome back guests on June 9.
Casinos in the state must follow the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board COVID-19 Casino Reopening Protocols. It details the minimum safety and health-related requirements that are mandatory before reopening.
Some key points include:
- Casinos can reopen at 50% capacity
- Employees and guests must wear masks.
- Markings on the floor to promote social distancing.
- Enhanced cleaning throughout the facility.
- Poker rooms are not authorized to operate due to players handling of cards and chips.
Players dream of hitting a big jackpot when they play the slots. When that day comes for you, you'll have questions about the taxes you must pay on the winnings.
Hand Pay Jackpots
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When you hit the winning combination of symbols for a large jackpot, your slot machine locks up. Depending on the machine, the lights on top of the machine may come on and start flashing, music may play or bells ring. A slot attendant arrives promptly to see what you have won.
On jackpots smaller than $5,000, an attendant verifies that you hit the jackpot and then assists you in claiming your money at the cashier's cage. In the case of a large or progressive jackpot, the casino may have technicians come and check the machine to certify that it was functioning properly when the jackpot hit. If you hit one of the wide-area progressive machines such as MegaBucks, the slot company that operates the game comes out and verifies that machine before giving you a check.
When you hit a jackpot, you have the option of taking your winnings in cash or check. Usually, large amounts are paid by check. In the case of the MegaBucks or similar multi-million dollar jackpots, you receive a check for the partial amount, and then you have 90 days to decide if you want to be paid a lump sum or an annual annuity on the balance. If you select the lump sum option, you receive only a percentage of your actual winnings. For example, the full winnings of one multi-million slot jackpot is paid in 25 annual installments, or you can take a lump sum of 60 percent of the winnings.
IRS Withholding
All casino winnings are subject to federal taxes. However, the IRS only requires the casinos to report wins over $1,200 on slots and video poker machines or other games such as keno, lottery or horse racing. When you have a win equal to or greater than $1200, you are issued a W-2G form. This form lists your name, address and Social Security number. The casinos are not required to take out withholding tax on jackpots under $5,000 as long you supply your Social Security number. If you don’t provide your Social Security number, the casinos withhold 28 percent on small jackpots.
You can request a specific amount of withholding tax to be taken out of any jackpot you win. Some players like to do this to avoid a big tax payment in April when they file their income tax returns. The additional withholding may not be necessary if you keep a log book. The law allows you to deduct gambling losses up to the amount of your winnings. You can only do this if you have documentation of your losses. Keeping a diary or log book is the way to do this.
Proper Identification
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Casinos can refuse to pay you until you produce proper identification—a photo ID such as a driver’s license, military ID or passport.
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If you don’t produce an ID, you are photographed and the casino holds your winnings until you come back with proper ID. For this reason, you should always carry a valid form of identification with you when you visit the casino.
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When the casino checks your identification, it also checks your age to make sure you are legally old enough to play. The minimum age for gambling varies from state to state, but under-age gamblers are not be paid if they hit a jackpot. This is the law in all jurisdictions, and it has been upheld in court.
Plan Ahead
Before you start playing your favorite slot machine you should have a plan for the day you hit a jackpot. Players become excited when they hit the big one, and this may affect the decisions you make about your winnings. It is helpful if you know ahead of time how much withholding you want taken out or whether you want a check for all or some of the amount.