$30M in Prizes, $12M in Taxes: What 2026 WSOP Main Event Finalists Keep
PokerListings
-
Stake.US Poker $55 Stake Cash + 260,000 GC18+ | Play Responsibly | T&C Apply
-
Americas Cardroom 100% up to $200018+ | Play Responsibly | T&C Apply
-
CoinPoker 150% up to $2000+18 | T & C apply | Play responsible
-
Betonline Poker 100% up to $100018+ | Play Responsibly | T&C Apply
-
SportsBetting Poker 100% up to $1000
Licensed tax professional Russ Fox calculates how much the WSOP Main Event finalists take home after taxes every year. And every year, the “biggest winners” of the Main Event are the tax authorities.
$30.25M in Prizes, $12.27M in Taxes
- A total of $30.25M was paid out at the final table.
- More than $12.27M was withheld in taxes — $2.2M more than last year.
- The IRS will receive $8.47M, while 40.58% of the total prize money was withheld in taxes.
How Much Does Each Finalist Take Home?
This time, there were no representatives of the UK or Austria at the final table, where gambling winnings are not taxed. As a result, all players remained in the same positions in terms of prize money after taxes.
| Place | Player | Prize Before Tax | Prize After Tax | Tax Withheld | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucas Jumalon | $10,000,000 | $6,009,174 | $3,990,826 | 39.91% |
| 2 | Lauri Saaskilahti | $6,000,000 | $3,227,000 | $2,773,000 | 46.22% |
| 3 | Greg Mueller | $3,750,000 | $2,628,000 | $1,122,000 | 29.92% |
| 4 | Michael Gagliano | $2,750,000 | $1,419,317 | $1,330,683 | 48.39% |
| 5 | Han Feng | $2,250,000 | $1,360,247 | $889,753 | 39.54% |
| 6 | Rami Hammoud | $1,750,000 | $1,228,000 | $522,000 | 29.83% |
| 7 | Jamie Shaevel | $1,500,000 | $744,500 | $755,500 | 50.37% |
| 8 | Mario Boos | $1,250,000 | $706,299 | $543,701 | 43.50% |
| 9 | Evagoras Evagorou | $1,000,000 | $653,500 | $346,500 | 34.65% |
| Total | $30,250,000 | $17,976,037 | $12,273,963 | 40.58% |
Lucas Jumalon Faces the Biggest Tax Bill
As usual, the champion, Lucas Jumalon, will pay the largest tax bill — more than $3.99M. This amount includes federal income tax and self-employment tax.
Jamie Shaevel Loses More Than Half His Winnings
More than half of Jamie Shaevel’s winnings will be withheld in taxes.
That’s because he is a resident of California, a state with high taxes. Approximately $598K will go to the IRS, while another $157K will be withheld by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA).
As a result, Shaevel will take home $744,500 from his $1.5M prize.
Main photo by Tyler Abrams
Latest News
GGPoker Publishes the 2026 WSOP Online Schedule
Jason Koon Becomes 2026 Poker Hall of Fame Inductee: But Why Only Him?
22-Year-Old Lucas Jumalon Wins the 2026 WSOP Main Event ($10M)
