Your net winnings are what Splash Sports reports on your 1099-MISC — not your total gross winnings. Understanding this is important because many users are surprised to find their 1099 amount is lower than their total payouts.
The Formula
Net Winnings = Total Contest Winnings + Entry Marketplace Sales − Entry Fees − Entry Marketplace Purchases − Bonuses
For example: if you received $3,500 in contest payouts, paid $1,400 in entry fees throughout the year, and received $50 in bonuses — your net winnings are $2,050. Since this exceeds the $2,000 threshold, you'd receive a 1099-MISC.
If that same user also sold an entry on the Entry Marketplace for $200 and bought another entry for $100, their net winnings would be $2,150 ($2,050 + $200 − $100).
What Each Component Means
Total Contest Winnings — the sum of all payouts credited to your account from contests during the calendar year
Entry Marketplace Sales — proceeds from entries you sold on the Entry Marketplace (these increase your net winnings)
Entry Fees — the total amount you paid to enter contests during the same year
Entry Marketplace Purchases — the amount you paid for entries bought on the Entry Marketplace (these reduce your net winnings)
Bonuses — any promotional credits applied to your account (these reduce your net winnings for tax purposes)
How the Entry Marketplace Counts
Entry Marketplace transactions are included in 1099-MISC filings. Entry Marketplace sales count towards Net Winnings reported on Form 1099-MISC, and Entry Marketplace purchases count against Net Winnings reported on Form 1099-MISC. If an entry you bought on the Marketplace goes on to win, that payout counts as contest winnings. See Marketplace & Tax Reporting for more.
Calculation Period & Timeline
Net winnings cover all transactions between January 1 and December 31 of the calendar year
Splash Sports performs a final recalculation in January to ensure all December transactions are fully settled
1099-MISC forms are filed by February 2 and mailed to the address on your account by February 20
Only users with net winnings of $2,000 or more receive a 1099-MISC. If you're below that threshold, you won't receive a form from Splash — though you may still have reporting obligations. Consult a tax professional to confirm.
Note: In 2026, the IRS reporting threshold for gaming income increased from $600 to $2,000.
Questions about your tax form? See Splash Sports Tax Policies & 1099-MISC Form or email support@splashsports.com.
Splash Sports does not provide tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.