Is it worth playing a tournament at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City if yu are not an american?

MacMonster

A warning if you play a poker tournament at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City.

On Sunday I finished 2nd in a tournament at the Borgata to win $1,158. I was somewhat shocked to find they insisted on taking 32% tax off my winnings. I know this is the case if the win is over a certain figure but this was below that amount. After arguing with them (for some time) it became clear this was their policy and not the state law. 

The previous day I won a tournament at Showboat casino for $810 and the day before that at Bally's casino for $2,200, neither of these winnings were taxed. If it was the law they would have been.

The Borgata basically discriminate against none american players and if you win even $60 in a tournament thy will tax you on the profit (i.e. winnings less buy in). The casino was really nice and it was good to play in a venue I have seen many times on the TV but I would never play there again, it is just not worth it if they deduct the tax from you.

I make this post for your information if you intend to play in Atlantic City. 

I do not know if it is legal for them to impose this policy but they are basically saying none american players at low level tournaments will be penalised for a high percentage of their earnings. I assume I can claim the tax back but only by completing an american tax return, is it worth it for the small tax deductions, bearing in mind you will receive a $ cheque back which then has to be banked?

I am posting this on all my forums, if i knew this before I played there I would have chosen to play elsewhere instead, so I am making this information available to you here.

Shame on you Borgata.

robert369

Well done on the winnings Ian. Unlucky on the resulting rip off . Have fun.

Slipwater

Yeah, great run you had with those cashes, Ian. That kind of 'gangster-tax' still goes on in a few places, but it is something that needs to come to an end.