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Tom is a filmmaker, producer, and marketing specialist based in Los Angeles.
At Wrapbook, we pride ourselves on providing outstanding free resources to producers and their crews, but this post is for informational purposes only as of the date above. The content on our website is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for legal, accounting, or tax advice. You should consult with your own legal, accounting, or tax advisors to determine how this general information may apply to your specific circumstances.
As a game show producer, you might be used to giving out big cash prizes. But let’s talk for a second about how production incentives can return cash to your show.
Production incentives—no matter if they’re for feature films or television game shows—typically fall into one of three categories:
Each type of incentive can help offset your costs and reallocate funds toward talent, crew, and set design.
If you’re new to working with incentives, we recommend checking out our primer on incentives for a deeper look into how each one works.
Once you understand the mechanics, the first step towards actually landing the right incentive is choosing a location.
Game shows are often shot on controlled soundstages, giving producers a major advantage: flexibility. Unlike location-dependent scripted and doc shoots, game shows can often go wherever the incentive is strongest.
It’s also worth noting that some states provide incentives specifically for standalone post-production. If your show is heavily reliant on editing, effects, or motion graphics, these incentives can make a meaningful impact.
Next, be sure to check how each state awards funding. Incentive programs usually fall into one of two categories:
If you’re facing a tight deadline or need certainty before locking in a studio, first-come programs may offer a more predictable path to funding. On the other hand, shows with a long production horizon and sizable economic impact—especially those poised to hire large crews or run for multiple seasons—may fare well with selective approval programs.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at which states offer the most competitive production incentives for game shows.
From competitive statewide programs to regional grants, many states now offer meaningful financial support for game show production.
Below, we’ve compiled a comprehensive breakdown of each state currently providing game show-specific tax credits, rebates, or grants, so you can find the incentives that best match your show’s format, budget, and production strategy.
Alabama’s production incentive is straightforward and generous, making it an appealing choice for game shows with larger in-state spends. The state offers a 25%–35% fully refundable tax credit on qualified production expenses, including crew wages, equipment rentals, and in-state purchases.
To qualify for Alabama game show production incentives, your project must spend at least $500,000 in-state. While the spend threshold may limit smaller-scale formats, multi-episode shows or long-running productions can meet the requirement with relative ease.
Colorado supports game show production with a 20%–22% refundable tax credit for projects that spend at least $100,000 in-state.
To qualify, productions must meet two key requirements:
In addition, standalone post-production work may qualify for Colorado game show production incentives, allowing producers flexibility to base editing, scoring, or motion graphics work in the Centennial State, even if shooting takes place elsewhere.
With a structured, tiered program, Connecticut game show production incentives cater to a wide range of budgets.
The state offers a 10%–30% transferable tax credit for productions that spend at least $100,000 within its borders. The more you spend, the more you earn back:
Connecticut also stands out for its standalone post-production eligibility, meaning you can still earn the credit even if your game show shoots elsewhere.
With proximity to New York City and a strong local crew base, Connecticut is a strategic location for both production and finishing work.
Florida does not currently have a statewide film incentive, but its regional programs can provide significant value—especially for productions based in Miami-Dade County.
For game shows, Miami-Dade offers:
Additional rebates and grants for other production formats are available through local programs in Broward County, Miami Beach, and Pinellas County making it worthwhile to explore region-specific options.
A longstanding leader in U.S. production, Georgia game show production incentives continue to be among the best in the country.
Georgia offers a 20% transferable tax credit for productions that spend at least $500,000 in-state. An additional 10% uplift is available to projects that include the Georgia promotional logo in the final product and provide a link to the Georgia Film Office on a promotional website.
The uplift brings the potential total incentive to 30%, making Georgia especially attractive for game shows with recurring episode orders, long-term studio leases, or substantial labor needs.
A number of popular game shows, including Family Feud, tape in Georgia.
If your game show concept leans into tropical flair or regional storytelling, Hawaii game show production incentives can help cover the cost of paradise.
Hawaii offers a 22%–27% fully refundable tax credit for productions that spend at least $100,000 in-state. The percentage varies by location:
For producers seeking a unique visual identity for their game show, Hawaii offers more than just beaches—it offers significant production savings.
In 2024, Illinois expanded its longstanding tax credit program to formally include game shows—an important win for unscripted producers.
Illinois game show production incentives now provide a 30%–40% transferable tax credit on eligible in-state spend. To qualify:
There’s one key exception: host compensation does not qualify as a reimbursable expense and will not count toward the total spend calculation.
With production infrastructure in Chicago and access to Midwest markets, Illinois is a smart, scalable option for game shows.
Kentucky game show production incentives offer flexibility and high returns for producers filming in the Bluegrass State.
The Commonwealth provides a 30%–35% refundable tax credit for productions spending at least $250,000 in-state. Kentucky-based production companies enjoy an even lower threshold—just $125,000—provided they maintain their principal place of business or at least 50% of their payroll and property in Kentucky.
All projects are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, so it’s best to consult the Kentucky Film Office early to align on eligibility and application requirements.
Louisiana game show production incentives are among the most competitive in the country, particularly for shows employing local labor.
Through the Motion Picture Production Tax Credit, Louisiana offers a 25%–45% partially refundable tax credit.To qualify, game shows must spend at least $300,000 in-state.
While productions can earn up to 45% back on payroll for Louisiana residents, there is an overall project cap of 40% on Louisiana film credits—no project can receive a credit that exceeds 40% of their total in-state investment.
Producers can also stack local incentives from municipalities like Jefferson Parish, Shreveport, and St. Bernard Parish to boost savings further. From studio infrastructure to talent pools, Louisiana continues to support high-volume unscripted production in a big way.
While Maine may not be as widely known as a production hub, Maine game show production incentives offer meaningful savings for producers looking to film in a scenic, low-cost environment.
Maine provides a 5%–12% incentive through a combination of a refundable tax credit and a production rebate. To qualify, productions must spend at least $75,000 in the state.
Though the percentages may be lower than in other states, Maine’s affordability and unique coastal and rural locations make it a compelling choice for game shows looking to create a distinct visual identity on a modest budget.
Mississippi supports many types of unscripted production, including game shows, through its robust rebate program.
Mississippi game show production incentives include a 25%–40% cash rebate for productions spending at least $50,000 in the state. The rebate covers a wide range of qualified expenditures, including in-state labor, goods, and services.
To explore eligibility, qualifying spend, and regional uplifts in more detail, be sure to read our full guide to Mississippi’s film rebate.
Missouri’s newly overhauled program makes it a rising star for unscripted productions.
Missouri game show production incentives now offer a 20%–42% transferable tax credit, bolstered by a series of stackable bonuses:
Kansas City also offers a stackable local rebate, enhancing the overall benefit for productions based in urban hubs.
These incentives—combined with Missouri’s central location and low overhead—position the state as a prime candidate for scalable game show production.
Nevada is a game show production hotspot.
With a 15%–25% transferable tax credit for qualifying productions that spend at least $500,000 in the Silver State, Nevada is one of the most robust homes for game show production in the country.
Nevada’s incentive applies to production, pre-production, and post-production—provided at least 60% of the total budget is spent on qualified in-state costs.
One important caveat: below-the-line nonresidents are not eligible, and non-Nevada post expenditures can be excluded from the 60% threshold calculation.
Given the state’s quick permitting, ample soundstages, and 24/7 infrastructure, Nevada continues to appeal to game shows with tight timelines and high throughput. Game shows including Catch 21 and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire have all taken advantage of what the Silver State has to offer.
Known for its robust support of unscripted formats, New Jersey game show production incentives are tailor made for multi-episode, studio-based shows.
New Jersey offers a 30%–37% transferable tax credit for productions meet all three of the following criteria:
With close proximity to New York, diverse backdrops, and growing studio infrastructure, New Jersey is an ideal home base for game shows that require repeatable production with long-term planning in mind.
To dig deeper, check out our complete guide to New Jersey incentives.
Few states can match the flexibility and upside of New Mexico game show production incentives. The state offers a 15%–40% refundable tax credit, with no minimum spend requirement, making it highly accessible for both pilots and full-scale productions.
To earn the full 40%, producers can stack multiple bonuses, including:
New Mexico also supports standalone post-production, so projects that wrap principal photography elsewhere can still qualify—provided all forms are submitted before work begins.
For a closer look at all of New Mexico’s incentive offerings, read our New Mexico production incentive guide.
Game shows filming in the Heartland will find strong support in Oklahoma. The Sooner State offers a 20%–30% cash rebate for qualifying productions that spend at least $25,000 in Oklahoma and have a minimum total budget of $50,000.
Additionally, Oklahoma offers a standalone post-production rebate, with a 20% base credit for editorial, VFX, and other services completed locally—even if principal photography takes place elsewhere.
Several cities and tribal nations offer stackable local rebates (though game shows won’t qualify in most instances). These local incentives include:
Oklahoma’s layered incentives allow producers to maximize savings while tapping into Oklahoma’s rapidly growing production infrastructure.
Oregon game show production incentives are best suited for larger shows or long-running unscripted franchises.
The state offers a 20%–26.2% cash grant to productions that spend at least $1 million in Oregon. The incentive is administered through the state’s Greenlight Oregon Labor Rebate and OPIF (Oregon Production Investment Fund).
Eligible expenses include both goods and services purchased within the state, and the incentive covers pre-production, principal photography, and post-production.
With studios in major cities like Portland and stunning locations throughout the state, Oregon combines visual appeal with robust financial support.
Pennsylvania game show production incentives offer versatility for productions of all sizes.
The Keystone State provides a 25%–30% transferable film tax credit with no minimum spend requirement, making it accessible even for pilots, specials, and smaller-format game shows.
To qualify, productions must incur at least 60% of total expenses—including pre-production, principal photography, and post-production—within the Commonwealth.
Additionally, Pennsylvania offers a standalone post-production incentive, so game shows that complete editorial, audio, or finishing work in-state can still access the credit, even if they filmed elsewhere.
Whether you’re producing a classic studio format or something more experimental, Pennsylvania’s incentive structure makes it a strong contender.
Looking for island backdrops without leaving U.S. soil? Look no further than Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico game show production incentives provide a 20%–40% transferable tax credit to productions that spend at least $50,000 locally.
Instead of a first-come, first-served model, incentives are awarded based on economic impact, which means projects with strong planning, local hires, or multi-episode commitments have a better shot at approval.
With bilingual crew, robust infrastructure, and access to both urban and scenic filming locations, Puerto Rico is a standout option for game shows looking to combine aesthetics with affordability.
Big, bold, and production-ready, Texas game show production incentives are tailored for in-state hiring and local spend.
The Lone Star State provides a 5%–10% grant, depending on how much you spend:
To qualify, projects must ensure that 55% of cast and crew are Texas residents and that 60% of total filming days occur in-state.
For added benefit, game shows filming in San Antonio can access a regional rebate of up to 7.5% for productions spending $100,000 or more within city limits.
With multiple soundstages, seasoned talent pools, and regional incentives layered on top of the state grant, Texas is well-positioned for scalable game show production.
Scenic and cost-effective, West Virginia game show production incentives offer a high return for productions willing to bring work to the Mountain State.
The program provides a 27% transferable tax credit for productions spending at least $50,000 in-state. Projects can unlock a 4% bonus by hiring 10 or more full-time West Virginia residents, boosting the total incentive to 31%.
West Virginia also supports standalone post-production, so shows conducting only editing or finishing work in-state can still access the credit—provided they meet the minimum spend threshold.
With authentic locations and a straightforward incentive structure, West Virginia offers a strong value proposition for unscripted producers.
From major entertainment hubs to emerging production hotspots, states across the country are competing to attract unscripted content—and game shows are reaping the rewards.
Curious to learn more about unscripted incentives offered across the country? Check out our thorough guide to reality TV production incentives.
And to compare incentives and find the right fit for your next game show, explore Wrapbook’s Production Incentive Center. With interactive maps, side-by-side comparisons, and expert insights, it’s your one-stop shop for making every production dollar count.
From high-concept competitions to classic trivia contests, game shows continue to be a staple of unscripted television. But whether you’re producing a daily syndicated show or a limited-run streaming format, one major consideration is always the same: cost.
Game show production incentives can play a major role in keeping your budget lean and your season on track.
Across the U.S., many states offer incentives that extend beyond traditional scripted content. These programs recognize the economic value of unscripted shows—including game shows—and offer competitive rebates, tax credits, and grants to attract production.
In this guide, we’ll break down which states currently offer production incentives for game shows, how each program works, and what you’ll need to qualify.
Before we dive into the state-by-state breakdown, we recommend taking a spin through Wrapbook's Production Incentive Center. This comprehensive resource offers up-to-date information on production incentives across the country, including those that apply to game shows.
With an intuitive state map, a side-by-side comparison tool, and a built-in AI incentives expert, the Production Incentive Center simplifies the decision-making process—so you can zero in on the most beneficial locations for your show.
Whether you're weighing options for a new pilot or planning a multi-season run, the Incentive Center helps you quickly evaluate all the offerings based on eligibility requirements, financial benefits, and application timelines. Check it out!
