Tax Poker Winnings? We Clarify!

Poker winnings: When you have to pay taxes

Does the tax office want yours? Tax poker winnings ? This depends on your gaming routine and the amount of winnings. If Texas Hold'em, Omaha and Co. Are your hobby, you don't have to share your winnings, but with regular bets and high returns the situation changes. Here you can find out when the tax office demands taxes from you.

Do you have to pay tax on poker winnings?

In the best case scenario, online poker games will bring you winnings. What happens to the money? Do you have to pay taxes for it? Clear answer: it depends! Do you want? Make money with online poker , like Eddy Scharf, the tax office collects the income tax from womöGLIch.

The former pilot and One-time amateur poker player went to the Tax Court in Auckland 2026. His achievements to date Win from numerous tournament participations should be subject to income tax and trade tax. The court ruled in favor of the authority. But Scharf appealed. On September 16th 2026, the Xth Senate of the Federal Finance Court (BFH) confirmed the previous judgment.

The result:

The native of Cologne had to declare his profits as taxable income and Pay income and trade tax . This legal classification still has a beacon effect on other poker players today. They also have to pay taxes more and more frequently, even though poker is generally classified as a game of chance.

However, the verdict stands not across the board for all winnings in the casino and at poker tables. For all hobby players, the decision is made on a case-by-case basis. The tax office uses various criteria to check whether you have to pay tax on your winnings or not. This involves various questions such as:

Nina Hartmann

Nina Hartmann leads editorial at online casinos, testing online casinos with real deposits, withdrawals, and clear criteria for safety, bonuses, and support — so you can play more informed.

Author: Emily Watson

Poker winnings: When you have to pay taxes

Do you have to pay tax on poker winnings?

Nina Hartmann

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