Yes, you must pay taxes on all gambling winnings, including those from offshore sportsbooks, because the IRS treats all betting income as taxable regardless of where you placed the bet. This applies to cash, crypto, and any other payouts.
The Internal Revenue Service requires you to report gross winnings on your federal tax return even if the offshore site doesn’t issue a W-2G form like regulated sportsbooks such as FanDuel or DraftKings might.
Key details bettors often miss:
- Self-reporting is required: Offshore sites typically don’t report to the IRS
- All winnings count: Includes small bets, parlays, and crypto payouts
- Losses can be deducted: But only if you itemize and up to your winnings
- Records matter: Keep bet slips, transaction history, and withdrawal logs
A critical distinction: even though offshore sportsbooks operate outside U.S. regulation, your tax obligation doesn’t change failing to report winnings can lead to penalties or audits.