Should Casinos Intercept Delinquent Child Support? Mississippi Thinks So

Posted on: February 13, 2026, 09:26h. 

Last updated on: February 13, 2026, 09:26h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • Mississippi casinos and sportsbooks will likely soon need to conduct delinquent child support checks before issuing W-2G IRS forms and major wins to gamblers
  • There are currently 17 states that require gaming operators to intercept past due child support arrearages
  • Mississippi is home to 19 casinos, which won more than $2.4 billion from gamblers in 2025

Legislation in Mississippi cleared the State Legislature this week that would require casinos and sportsbooks to withhold winnings from players who are delinquent on child support payments.

Mississippi casinos sportsbooks child support
A wooden gravel on top of cash is pictured with a teddy bear. Mississippi casinos and sportsbooks will likely soon need to conduct searches to determine if a major winner owes child support before issuing the bettor with a W-2G IRS tax form and their payout. (Image: Shutterstock)

Senate Bill 2369/House Bill 520 found widespread support, with a 50-0 vote in the Senate and a 94-19 vote in the House. The legislative clones would withhold outstanding child support money from gambling winnings.

If signed into law by Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R), a person winning an amount that requires the casino or sportsbook to complete a W-2G IRS tax form would need to be checked for any owed child support. If they are, that amount would be withheld, and the gaming operator would additionally be allowed to charge an administrative fee of up to $35.

As of Jan. 1, 2026, a slot machine handpay is triggered for wins of $2,000 or more. Poker wins of $5,000 or more (payout minus the buy-in) are also subject to W-2G requirements. For sports bettors, an IRS form is typically issued when the win is $600 or more and the payout is at least 300 times the amount wagered.

Casino Child Support Mandate

SB2369/HB520 would amend Mississippi’s gaming law to require that the Mississippi Gaming Commission collaborate with the Department of Human Services to establish rules to withhold gaming winnings of persons with outstanding child support arrearages. The law would apply to slot machines, sports betting, and other reportable cash winnings.

If the amount of due child support exceeds the winnings, the player “shall not receive a payment.” The gaming licensee would need to remit the withheld money to the Human Services Department within seven days.

If Tate signs or allows the bill to become law, the statute will take effect and be in force from July 1, 2026.

Mississippi is home to 19 casinos. The properties won more than $2.43 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2025.

Many States Require Child Support Checks

Mississippi is likely to join a laundry list of commercial gaming states where child support checks are required before a player’s winnings and W-2G form are issued.

There are currently 17 states that require casinos and/or sportsbooks to check for past due child support when issuing large wins. Washington, DC, also necessitates that its online sportsbooks check child support obligations.

Nevada, the richest gaming state in the nation, is among the states that conduct child support searches before handing out W-2G forms and winnings.