Online Casino Tournaments UK 2026: A Cynic’s Guide to Competitive Gambling

The phrase “online casino tournaments uk 2026” suggests a forward-looking guide, but the reality of the UK market is that the fundamentals rarely change. The marketing spins, the bonus structures get tweaked, but the core proposition remains: you are playing against other players, not the house, in a format designed to keep you logged in longer. Forget the hype about “life-changing wins” and “gladiator arenas.” This is a breakdown of how these competitions actually work, which platforms host them, and what you should realistically expect when you enter the fray in the coming year. The house always has its edge, even in a tournament.

Most players approach tournaments with the same mindset they bring to slots: a hope for a lucky streak. That is a mistake. Tournaments are a different beast, often requiring a blend of bankroll management, game selection, and a cold understanding of the scoring mechanics. The “free entry” tournaments are particularly amusing—they are loss leaders for the casino, designed to hook you into depositing real money for the “premium” events with bigger prize pools. And nobody gives away “free” money. Ever. It is a marketing expense with a calculated return.

What Exactly Are Online Casino Tournaments and How Do They Function in the UK?

At their simplest, online casino tournaments are scheduled competitions where players compete against each other on a specific game, usually slots, for a share of a prize pool. The structure is straightforward: you pay an entry fee (or use a “free” ticket), you are given a set number of spins or a fixed time limit, and your score is based on your winnings during that session. The player with the highest score at the end wins. It is a departure from standard play, where you are only battling the random number generator. Here, your neighbour’s bad luck is your relative good fortune. The UK Gambling Commission regulates these as any other gambling activity, meaning the same rules on fairness and transparency apply.

The mechanics vary. Some tournaments use a “coin win” model, where the highest total payout from your allocated spins determines your rank. Others use a “multiplier” system, where the size of your win relative to your stake is what counts, which can favour players with smaller, more consistent wins over one massive hit. Then there are “points-based” systems, which can be as opaque as the casino’s marketing department desires. The key is to read the specific tournament rules before you enter. That 500x multiplier win might be worth less than five 10x wins under a different scoring system. It is a math problem, not a slot spin.

The schedule is another factor. Major UK-facing casinos run tournaments daily, weekly, and around major events like new game launches or holidays. The “daily freeroll” is a staple—a zero-cost entry tournament with a modest prize pool, often £50-£200, designed to build habit. The real money is in the buy-in tournaments, which can range from £1 to £100 or more, with prize pools scaling accordingly. The frequency and variety are part of the appeal; there is always another tournament starting soon, which is exactly the point from the operator’s perspective. It keeps the platform active.

Which UK Platforms Actually Host Worthwhile Casino Tournaments in 2026?

Not every casino with a UKGC licence bothers with tournaments. It requires specific software integration and a player base large enough to populate the events. Based on current market presence and the likelihood of continued operation, the following operators are known to feature tournament functionality or similar competitive slot events. This list is based on observable market activity, not promotional claims.

Operator	Tournament Type Typically Offered	Key Feature / Observation	Likely Entry Barrier
NetBet	Slot tournaments, occasional networked events	Often ties tournaments to specific game providers like Pragmatic Play.	Mix of free and buy-in events.
Goldenbet	Scheduled slot races, leaderboard competitions	Frequently runs time-limited tournaments with prize pools.	Varies; some require opt-in.
Gala Casino	Exclusive slot tournaments for members	Part of a larger group, may have cross-brand events.	Often tied to specific game launches.
Sky Vegas	Daily free-to-play games, slot tournaments	Strong focus on accessible, low-stakes competitive play.	Many free-entry options.
Virgin Games	Community tournaments, slot sprints	Emphasis on social and community aspects in some events.	Typically low buy-ins.
Unibet	Large-scale network tournaments, Drops & Wins	Often part of global prize pools from providers like Pragmatic Play.	Can be as simple as playing a qualifying game.
LottoGo	Slot tournaments, often with lottery-style elements	Blends tournament play with other gambling verticals.	Variable; check specific event rules.
Double Bubble Bingo	Slot tournaments, particularly on themed games	Focus on a specific portfolio of games for events.	Often linked to deposits or promotions.
Monopoly Casino	Branded game tournaments, Monopoly-themed events	Leverages the strong brand for themed competitions.	Frequently tied to Monopoly slots.
Rainbow Riches Casino	Tournaments on Barcrest games, seasonal events	Niche focus on its core game portfolio for competitions.	Mix of free and paid entries.

The presence on this list does not constitute an endorsement or a guarantee of current licensing status. The UK Gambling Commission’s public register is the only source for that verification. These are simply operators with a historical or current footprint in the UK market that have offered tournament-style play. The specifics—the prize pools, the games, the entry fees—change constantly. Your due diligence is non-negotiable. A tournament is only as good as the platform’s reliability in paying out the winnings.

How Do You Evaluate and Choose the Right Tournament to Enter?

Choosing a tournament is not about picking the biggest prize pool. That is the rookie error. A £10,000 prize pool with 10,000 entrants is statistically worse than a £1,000 pool with 200 entrants. The first step is understanding the entry requirements and the scoring system. Is it a buy-in tournament? What is the cost relative to the prize pool? A 10% fee is standard, but some charge more. Is the scoring based on total wins, highest single win, or a multiplier? Each favours a different playstyle and bankroll. A high-volatility slot might be good for a “highest single win” format but terrible for a “total wins” format where consistency matters.

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The game selection is critical. Tournaments are almost always tied to a specific slot or a small group of slots. You need to know that game. What is its RTP (Return to Player) percentage? What is its volatility? Playing a tournament on a low-volatility, low-RTP slot is like bringing a knife to a gunfight. The house edge is baked into the game, and in a tournament, you are fighting that edge plus the performance of every other player. The optimal strategy is often to play the maximum allowed spins as quickly as possible, if time-limited, or to adopt a high-risk, high-reward strategy if the scoring rewards big multipliers. There is no single “best” strategy; it depends entirely on the tournament’s rules.

Consider the field. Some tournaments are open to all players, while others are restricted to those who have deposited in the last 24 hours or have a certain loyalty status. The latter often have smaller, more predictable fields. The “freeroll” tournaments, while costing nothing to enter, are often flooded with casual players, which can paradoxically make them harder to win due to sheer volume. The buy-in tournaments, especially those with higher entry fees, tend to attract more serious players, which increases the skill level but also the potential reward. It is a trade-off. Your bankroll dictates your options here, not your ambition.

What Are the Realistic Odds and Expected Value in Casino Tournaments?

Let us be brutally honest. The expected value (EV) of entering a casino tournament is almost always negative for the player, just like any other casino game. The house takes its cut from the prize pool or builds it into the entry fee and the game’s RTP. The only way to achieve a positive EV is to be consistently better than the average player in the field, which requires skill, knowledge, and often a bit of luck. The variance is high. You can enter ten tournaments and win nothing, then win the eleventh. The long-term profitability is not guaranteed, and for the vast majority of players, it is a net loss. That is the mathematical reality.

Compare this to standard slot play. In a slot, your only opponent is the house edge, which is fixed and known (the RTP). In a tournament, your opponent is the field, which is variable and unknown. This introduces a new layer of variance. A player who understands game mechanics and tournament strategy can gain an edge over the average participant, but they are still playing against a negative-EV game. The tournament format simply changes the distribution of outcomes. It can lead to more frequent small wins (if you are skilled) but does not eliminate the underlying house edge. The casino profits from the volume of play generated, not from any single tournament’s outcome.

The “guaranteed prize pool” is another marketing term to view with skepticism. If the total entry fees do not cover the guaranteed amount, the casino makes up the difference. If they exceed it, the casino profits from the surplus. The guarantee is for the prize pool, not for your personal return. Your odds of winning a share depend entirely on the number of entrants and your relative performance. In a field of 1,000, a top-100 finish might pay out, but the odds of finishing first are 1 in 1,000, minus any skill advantage. The math does not care about your feelings.

How Do UK Gambling Regulations Impact Tournament Play and Player Protection?

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) provides the regulatory framework for all online gambling, including tournaments. Operators must hold a valid licence to offer these events to UK players. The key regulations relevant to tournaments include requirements for fair and random game outcomes, transparent terms and conditions, and responsible gambling measures. This means the slot used in the tournament must be independently tested for fairness, and the tournament rules—including scoring, entry fees, and prize distribution—must be clearly stated and accessible. The UKGC does not regulate the “strategy” of tournaments, only the integrity of the platform and the games.

Player protection tools must be available during tournament play. This includes deposit limits, loss limits, session time reminders, and self-exclusion options. A reputable operator will not allow you to enter a tournament if you have an active deposit limit that would be exceeded by the entry fee. The reality is that the fast-paced, competitive nature of tournaments can encourage longer play sessions and larger bets than a player might otherwise make. The regulatory requirement for responsible gambling tools is there to mitigate this, but the onus is on the player to use them. The casino’s marketing will not remind you to set a loss limit before a tournament starts.

The legal status of tournaments in the UK is clear: they are a form of gambling and are fully regulated. There is no separate “tournament licence.” The operator’s existing remote casino licence covers these activities. For players, this means that if you have a dispute with an operator over a tournament result or prize payment, you have recourse through the UKGC’s approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) providers. The system is not perfect, but it provides a baseline of protection. The critical point is to play only on platforms that display the UKGC licence information clearly, usually in the footer of their website. If it is not there, walk away.

What Are the Different Formats and Structures of Casino Tournaments You Will Encounter?

The landscape of tournament formats is more varied than most players realise. The most common is the “Scheduled Tournament,” which starts at a fixed time and runs for a set duration, often 10 minutes to an hour. You must be logged in and ready to play when it begins. Then there are “Sit & Go” tournaments, which start as soon as a predetermined number of players have registered. These are more flexible but can have unpredictable wait times. “Elimination Tournaments” are a rarer breed, where players are knocked out in rounds based on their scores, leading to a final table. These are more akin to poker tournaments and require a longer time commitment.

The “Network Tournament” is a significant category. These are run by game providers like Pragmatic Play (with their “Drops & Wins” network) and are hosted across multiple casinos simultaneously. The prize pool is massive, often £1,000,000+ per month, but so is the player pool. Your chances of winning a significant prize are minuscule, but the entry is often as simple as playing a qualifying game with a real money bet. The casino acts as the gateway, not the organiser. The advantage is the scale; the disadvantage is the competition. It is a lottery with extra steps.

Then there are the “Free Spin Tournaments,” where the “prize” is a bundle of free spins on a slot. The irony is thick: you compete in a tournament to win spins on a game that has a negative expected value. The free spins themselves often come with wagering requirements, meaning you must bet the winnings a certain number of times before you can withdraw them. It is a promotion disguised as a competition. The value is low, but the cost is zero, which makes them popular with casual players. The casino gets you playing a specific game, and you get a small, highly conditional “reward.”

How Should You Approach Bankroll Management for Tournament Play?

Bankroll management in tournaments is a discipline most players ignore. A common rule of thumb is to never risk more than 1-2% of your total gambling bankroll on a single tournament entry. If your monthly budget for gambling is £200, your maximum tournament buy-in should be £2-£4. This seems conservative, and it is. That is the point. Tournaments are high-variance events. You can lose your entire entry fee instantly, and you will, more often than not. The conservative approach ensures you can sustain play over time without chasing losses.

The “freeroll” tournaments are your training ground. Use them to understand the scoring mechanics, the time pressure, and the game without risking capital. Track your results. Are you consistently finishing in the top 10%? If not, you are not ready for buy-in tournaments. The data does not lie. If you are depositing money specifically for tournament buy-ins, you are already on the wrong path. Your tournament bankroll should be funded from your general entertainment budget, not from winnings or, worse, from money set aside for bills. The moment you start earmarking “winnings” for more tournament entries, you are in a cycle that benefits only the casino.

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Consider the opportunity cost. The £10 you spend on a tournament entry could be 100 spins on a slot with a 96% RTP. In the tournament, that £10 buys you a chance to win a share of a prize pool, but the odds are against you. The expected loss from the tournament entry is likely higher than the expected loss from 100 spins on a fair slot, due to the added competition and the casino’s tournament fee. This is not an argument against tournaments; it is an argument for understanding what you are paying for. You are paying for entertainment and a shot at a prize, not for a positive expected return. Keep that distinction clear.

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What Are the Most Common Mistakes Players Make in Online Casino Tournaments?

The most pervasive mistake is playing without understanding the scoring system. A player who focuses on getting one huge win in a “total wins” tournament is wasting their spins. Conversely, a player who grinds out small, consistent wins in a “highest multiplier” tournament will finish nowhere. The rules are the strategy guide. Ignoring them is like playing poker without knowing the hand rankings. The second major error is emotional play. After a bad start, players often increase their bet size to “catch up,” which is a fast track to busting out. The tournament is a fixed resource (spins or time). You cannot recover from a bad start by risking more of a resource you do not have.

Another frequent blunder is ignoring the tournament’s time limit. In a time-based tournament, the fastest player often wins. Hesitation between spins costs you potential scoring opportunities. Practice the game beforehand so you can play quickly and mechanically. The final, and perhaps most damaging, mistake is failing to set a loss limit for tournament play. The competitive atmosphere and the “just one more try” mentality can lead to depositing more than intended. The casino’s interface is designed to make this easy—quick deposits, saved payment methods, and constant notifications about upcoming tournaments. The responsibility to stop is entirely yours. The platform will not do it for you.

How Do Tournament Winnings and Withdrawals Work in the UK

The mechanics of tournament winnings in the UK follow the same rules as any other casino withdrawal, but with a few specific nuances. When you win a share of a tournament prize pool, the funds are typically credited to your casino account balance immediately after the tournament concludes. From there, they are subject to the operator’s standard withdrawal policy. This means the same verification checks, processing times, and potential wagering requirements apply. If the prize was awarded as “bonus funds” rather than “cash,” you will need to wager it a set number of times before it becomes withdrawable. Always check the tournament terms to see how the prize is classified. That “£500 prize” might actually be £500 in bonus money with a 40x wagering requirement, making its real value significantly lower.

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Processing times for tournament winnings are generally the same as for regular withdrawals. E-wallets like PayPal or Skrill often process within 24 hours, while debit card withdrawals can take 3-5 business days. Bank transfers are the slowest, sometimes taking up to 7 working days. The UKGC requires operators to process withdrawals in a “timely manner,” but this is not precisely defined. A common point of friction is the “pending period” some casinos impose, where your withdrawal request sits in a queue for 24-72 hours before being processed. This is a retention tactic, giving you time to reverse the withdrawal and play the funds back. It is legal, but irritating. The best operators have eliminated this practice.

Tax is a straightforward matter in the UK. Gambling winnings, including tournament prizes, are not subject to income tax for the player. The casino pays a point of consumption tax on its profits, but that is their problem, not yours. However, if you are a professional gambler who treats gambling as a trade or business (an extremely high bar to meet), HMRC might view your winnings differently. For the vast majority of players, tournament winnings are tax-free. Keep your records, though. If your winnings are substantial, you may need to declare them for means-tested benefits or other financial assessments, even if they are not taxable income.

What Role Do Game Providers Play in the Tournament Ecosystem?

The game providers are the invisible architects of most modern casino tournaments. Operators like NetEnt, Microgaming, Play’n GO, and especially Pragmatic Play do not just supply the slots; they often supply the tournament infrastructure. The “Drops & Wins” network promoted by Pragmatic Play is a prime example. This is a turnkey tournament system that casinos can plug into their platforms. Pragmatic Play sets the rules, provides the prize pools (funded by a levy on participating casinos), and manages the global leaderboard. The casino simply offers the qualifying games. This model has become dominant because it reduces the operational burden on the casino and creates massive, cross-platform competitions that are more attractive to players.

The provider’s influence on tournament strategy is significant. Each provider has a portfolio of games with distinct mathematical models. Pragmatic Play’s slots, for instance, are often high-volatility, which suits “highest multiplier” tournament formats. A provider like NetEnt might have a broader range of volatilities, offering more choice for different tournament types. The tournament rules are often tailored to showcase a provider’s flagship games. When a new slot launches, expect a wave of tournaments built around it. This is a marketing exercise for the provider as much as it is for the casino. They want you to experience their new game in a high-engagement format. The tournament is the vehicle, not the destination.

The fairness of the underlying game is, of course, regulated by the UKGC and independent testing agencies like eCOGRA or iTech Labs. The RNG (Random Number Generator) must be certified. However, the tournament scoring system itself is not subject to the same level of scrutiny. The provider and casino define what constitutes a “win” for scoring purposes. As long as the rules are clearly stated and the game outcomes are random, the UKGC’s requirements are met. The strategic layer—the scoring mechanics—is a commercial decision, not a regulatory one. This is why reading the specific tournament rules is more important than understanding the slot’s base game.

Are Casino Tournament Winnings Paid in Cash or Bonus Funds?

It depends entirely on the specific tournament’s terms and conditions. There is no industry standard. Some operators pay tournament prizes as straight cash, withdrawable immediately. Others pay in bonus funds, which come with wagering requirements. A few use a hybrid model: the top prize is cash, while lower-tier prizes are bonus funds. The distinction is critical. A £1,000 cash prize is worth £1,000. A £1,000 bonus prize with a 35x wagering requirement is, in expected value terms, worth significantly less—often less than £100, depending on the game’s RTP. You must check the fine print before entering. The tournament lobby or the specific event’s info page should state this. If it does not, ask customer support. Their answer will tell you a lot about the operator’s transparency.

Can You Use a Casino Bonus to Enter a Paid Tournament?

In most cases, no. Standard casino bonus funds (welcome bonuses, reload bonuses) are typically restricted to specific games and cannot be used for tournament buy-ins. The tournament entry fee usually must be paid from your cash balance. This is a common restriction in bonus terms and conditions. The reason is simple: the casino wants real money at risk in its tournaments, not bonus money that is already a marketing cost. Some operators may offer special “tournament tickets” as part of a promotion, which is a different mechanism. These are usually for specific events and cannot be converted to cash. Using a bonus to enter a tournament would be a double-dip from the casino’s perspective, and they are not in the business of letting you do that.

What Are the Emerging Trends for Casino Tournaments in the UK Market?

The trend towards networked, provider-led tournaments will continue to dominate. The “Drops & Wins” model is too successful for others not to copy it. Expect more providers to launch their own cross-casino tournament networks, creating larger prize pools and more frequent events. This centralisation benefits the provider and the casino with scale, but it dilutes the player’s edge. You are no longer competing in a small pool at one casino; you are competing against thousands of players across the entire network. The odds of winning a significant prize become astronomically small, but the ticket price remains low, which is the psychological hook.

Integration with live casino and game shows is another frontier. We are beginning to see tournament-style competitions around games like “Crazy Time” or “Mega Ball,” where players compete for the highest multiplier win in a set period. This blends the social, interactive element of live casino with the competitive structure of a slot tournament. It is a natural evolution, targeting a different player demographic. The technical complexity is higher, but the engagement potential is greater. The UK market, with its appetite for innovation, is a likely testing ground for these formats.

Finally, the regulatory environment will exert more pressure. The UKGC’s ongoing focus on safer gambling means that tournament features encouraging extended play or increased spending will come under scrutiny. We may see mandatory “cool-off” periods between tournament entries, stricter limits on buy-in amounts relative to a player’s deposit history, or more prominent display of loss probabilities. The balance between entertainment and protection is a constant negotiation. The casinos will push for engagement; the regulator will push for safeguards. The player is caught in the middle, which is why self-awareness and discipline are your most valuable tools. The platform will not protect you from yourself.

How Do You Practically Get Started with Your First Tournament?

The first step is choosing a platform. Use the list of operators mentioned earlier as a starting point, but verify their current UKGC licence status on the Commission’s website. Create an account, complete the mandatory identity verification (KYC), and make a deposit if you are not entering a freeroll. Navigate to the “Tournaments” or “Competitions” section of the site. Do not just click on the first one you see. Read the rules. What is the game? What is the scoring system? What is the entry fee? What is the prize structure? How many players are typically involved? This due diligence takes five minutes and can save you from a wasted buy-in.

Start with a freeroll. Treat it as a practice session. Your goal is not to win; it is to understand the flow. How fast do you need to play? How does the leaderboard update? What does the interface look like under time pressure? Note your finishing position and your score. Are you in the bottom half? The top quarter? This data is more valuable than any advice. After a few freerolls, you will have a baseline. Only then should you consider a low buy-in tournament, perhaps £1-£2. View this as an entertainment expense, like a cinema ticket. The moment you feel the urge to “win it back” after a loss, stop. That is the most important skill in gambling, tournament or otherwise.

The practical reality is that your first few tournaments will likely be losses. The learning curve is steep, and the competition, even in low-stakes events, includes players who do this regularly. Do not be discouraged. The objective is to learn the format, not to get rich. If you find you enjoy the competitive aspect and can maintain discipline with your bankroll, you can gradually increase your involvement. If you find it stressful or it encourages poor habits, walk away. There is no shame in deciding tournaments are not for you. The casino offers plenty of other ways to lose your money. Choose the ones you actually enjoy.

What Are the Frequently Asked Questions About UK Casino Tournaments in 2026?

Are online casino tournaments legal in the UK?

Yes, they are perfectly legal, provided they are offered by an operator holding a valid UK Gambling Commission licence. The tournaments are regulated under the same framework as other online casino games. The key for players is to verify the licence, which should be displayed in the website’s footer. Playing on an unlicensed site offers no regulatory protection and is inadvisable.

Do I need a special strategy for tournaments versus regular slots?

Absolutely. Regular slot play is about managing your bankroll against a fixed house edge. Tournament play introduces competition and specific scoring rules that change the optimal approach. You must understand whether the scoring rewards total wins, highest multipliers, or something else, and adjust your bet size and risk tolerance accordingly. The game’s volatility becomes a strategic tool, not just a characteristic.

Can I enter a tournament from my mobile phone?

Most UK casinos optimise their tournament platforms for mobile play. The experience is generally seamless, though the smaller screen can make tracking the leaderboard and game stats more challenging. Ensure you have a stable internet connection, as being disconnected mid-tournament usually means forfeiting your remaining spins or time. The convenience of mobile entry is a double-edged sword; it makes it easier to enter on impulse.

What happens if I get disconnected during a tournament?

Policies vary by operator. In most cases, if you are disconnected, the game will continue to run for a set period (e.g., 60 seconds) using your last bet settings. Any spins that occur during this time will count towards your score. If the disconnection lasts longer, you may miss out on remaining spins. The tournament result is typically based on the spins that were successfully completed. Always check the operator’s disconnection policy in their terms.

Are tournament winnings guaranteed to be paid out?

If you win a prize on a licensed UK operator, the payout is guaranteed under their licensing conditions. However, you must have completed all verification checks (KYC) and met any specific tournament prize conditions, such as wagering requirements if the prize is paid as bonus funds. The UKGC provides a recourse mechanism through ADR providers if an operator fails to pay legitimate winnings. The guarantee is on the operator’s obligation, not on your odds of winning.

The entire structure of online casino tournaments is a carefully calibrated machine designed to increase player engagement and session length. The “competition” is the lure, but the house edge remains the engine. Your understanding of the mechanics, not your luck, is the only variable you can control. The next tournament you see advertised with a flashy prize pool is, at its core, a math problem with a entry fee. Solve it before you pay.

How Do Tournament Winnings and Withdrawals Work in the UK?

The mechanics of tournament winnings in the UK follow the same rules as any other casino withdrawal, but with a few specific nuances. When you win a share of a tournament prize pool, the funds are typically credited to your casino account balance immediately after the tournament concludes. From there, they are subject to the operator’s standard withdrawal policy. This means the same verification checks, processing times, and potential wagering requirements apply. If the prize was awarded as “bonus funds” rather than “cash,” you will need to wager it a set number of times before it becomes withdrawable. Always check the tournament terms to see how the prize is classified. That “£500 prize” might actually be £500 in bonus money with a 40x wagering requirement, making its real value significantly lower.

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Processing times for tournament winnings are generally the same as for regular withdrawals. E-wallets like PayPal or Skrill often process within 24 hours, while debit card withdrawals can take 3-5 business days. Bank transfers are the slowest, sometimes taking up to 7 working days. The UKGC requires operators to process withdrawals in a “timely manner,” but this is not precisely defined. A common point of friction is the “pending period” some casinos impose, where your withdrawal request sits in a queue for 24-72 hours before being processed. This is a retention tactic, giving you time to reverse the withdrawal and play the funds back. It is legal, but irritating. The best operators have eliminated this practice.

Tax is a straightforward matter in the UK. Gambling winnings, including tournament prizes, are not subject to income tax for the player. The casino pays a point of consumption tax on its profits, but that is their problem, not yours. However, if you are a professional gambler who treats gambling as a trade or business (an extremely high bar to meet), HMRC might view your winnings differently. For the vast majority of players, tournament winnings are tax-free. Keep your records, though. If your winnings are substantial, you may need to declare them for means-tested benefits or other financial assessments, even if they are not taxable income.