21 (2008)
1 trivia entry
Directed by: Robert Luketic
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Jim Sturgess, Aaron Yoo
Continuity mistake: During the scene in which Ben is introduced to the card-counting group, several members are sitting at a blackjack table. There are cards on the table in front of them. In the first shot, the cards are face up, in the next, they are face down, then they appear face up again. While no one is seen or heard dealing cards, the number of cards on the table changes in several shots.
Kianna: Everybody knows to split eights. My grandmother splits eights.
Question: I was under the impression, although I may be wrong, that winnings in Vegas are taxed over a certain amount, and that this is done in the casino when cashing out. At the end of the film, Lawrence Fishburn says that the IRS will be wanting to speak to Kevin Spacey, but how were they able to cash out the amounts they won whilst using fake id's? It doesn't mention it in the book either - I know for the purposes of the film this is soemthing they can gloss over, but I was wondering if it would be possible to win the amounts they are talking about and simply walk out with the cash? I know in one part they cash it in in smaller amounts, but surely the casino would be aware of a huge win on one of the tables, and would be expecting a big cash out?
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Answer: Gambling winnings are taxable, but using fake IDs was one way of getting around the IRS. It was also mentioned in the book that the team would keep chips until their next Vegas trip to avoid cashing out. They would also exchange money with each other so everyone would come under the $10K limit before the casino had to file a Currency Transaction Report. Also, there is no reason not to assume they would place some of their winnings as "credit" for their next visit.