Radical Idea - But I'm pretty sure you'll all hate.

[Sarge85]

Money talks. We all know that.

Maybe the government doesn't really grasp the amount they stand to gain by bringing us legit and taxing internet poker.

So why don't we show them.

Run with me as I think of this out loud and think and type at the same time.

Can we organize (we being the collective American poker players) and start some sort of ad campagin that we ---wait for it ---- all claim $5 gambling income on our tax returns.

Some stats I've heard that there are 23 million poker players. I won't attest to the validity of that, but if we pooled 115million "extra" dollars to that particular tax line item -- I got to think that would get noticed.

We'd have to be smart and make it well aware of where that burst of income came from. I mean it needs to be BIG and LOUD as to how that money got there, and that in general poker players would prefer taxation as oposed to the prohibition.

Eureka -- there's the tag line Taxation not Proibition

The sites could spread the word to the player base as well as other means of propaganda. 2+2, Cardplayer, WPTE, etc....

It may seem far-fetched but money is going to speak volmue mores that us crying on 2+2 or signing online petitions, or quite frankly even calling your local rep. I'll going even so far to say that money is going to speak more than our votes at the polls when it comes down to it.

Run with me...

Sarge/images/graemlins/diamond.gif

[fish2plus2]

its a good idea, but people here dont have the balls to do it (myself included).

[Parlay Slow]

um aren't we already claiming a lot more than $5?

[Sarge85]

[ QUOTE ]
um aren't we already claiming a lot more than $5?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm guessing the vast majority of gamblors arent claiming their winnings.

Many 2+2 casual players included.

Sarge/images/graemlins/diamond.gif

[Parlay Slow]

I'm guessing from the suggestion in your post that you personally are not claiming your winnings

[ChexNFX]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm guessing from the suggestion in your post that you personally are not claiming your winnings

[/ QUOTE ]

...and?

[recondite7]

If a player isn't going to claim there is no way that 20 million of them are going to try this.

115 million isn't going to make a difference either.

This is just stupid think about it.

[SantaFeSlim]

Sarge,

Many of us already have to list some gambling winnings - if you win money at the Commerce Casino in L.A. (for example) the casino gives you a W2-G form, which it also files with the IRS.

Good reason to save all your tournament entry forms/receipts.

As for your cash game wins & losses, that's up to you.

-Alan

[Sarge85]

[ QUOTE ]
If a player isn't going to claim there is no way that 20 million of them are going to try this.

115 million isn't going to make a difference either.

This is just stupid think about it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Argh...

http://www.ravensdesigns.co.uk/images/design_outside_the_box.jpg

Look, the $5 isn't to "show" the government what they would make.

It's to show the potential. Its just to show the volume of people playing, and the money being left on the table. $5 is just a token of what the money could be.

I disagree also about people not doing it. The sites have a vested interested in getting poker regulated and above board. Perhaps they get behind this idea, or some variation thereof. Furthermore perhaps they say ok Joe Poker Player - show us you claimed this $5 on your return - and we'll offer a 10% reload up to $x.xx.

Seriously lets not piegon holes ourselves just because it is something out of the ordinary.

Sarge/images/graemlins/diamond.gif

[DrPhysic]

Money talks. You got that part right. The rest you missed on.

Send the $5 each to a poker lobbyist. That way the money ends up in the pockets or the campaign funds of the congressmen and senators that have the pull to get something done.

THAT, they will listen to.

Doc

[Sarge85]

[ QUOTE ]

Send the $5 each to a poker lobbyist.

Doc

[/ QUOTE ]

Is there one thats good? If 2+2 won't even get behind the PPA ---

Sarge/images/graemlins/diamond.gif

[Lawman007]

[ QUOTE ]
Send the $5 each to a poker lobbyist.

[/ QUOTE ]

A poker lobbyist?! There is no such thing. Why do you think we're in this mess?

[ChexNFX]

What, you dont think one will emerge?

[Guthrie]

You couldn't get 23 million people to send in their name to get back a free $5, much less file a fraudulent tax return for no immediate gain to themselves.

[emptyshell]

If you aren't paying taxes on your winnings (which is a crime called tax evasion punishable by fines and imprisonment), I would not recommend essentially turning yourself in with the $5 idea.

[DrewOnTilt]

Come on fellas, he is thinking. His idea isn't terrible. Where do all of you get the notion that most poker players, and most 2+2ers for that matter, actually generate taxable income from gambling, anyway? Most of them LOSE in the long run!

[demon102]

I like this idea and I think if it could be organized and executed during a particular tax season then it would be a hell of a statement. 2 reasons ,everyone is a slave to money in one way or another and if all that money was paid up then every single polititions would see those numbers as votes that can be swung there way. While there are roadblocks in the way of getting this done there are roadblocks in any goal that ull pursue in life the biggest here being getting the word out to every poker player out there.

[ncboiler]

[ QUOTE ]
Come on fellas, he is thinking. His idea isn't terrible. Where do all of you get the notion that most poker players, and most 2+2ers for that matter, actually generate taxable income from gambling, anyway? Most of them LOSE in the long run!

[/ QUOTE ]

You can lose money in the long run and still have to pay taxes on your poker winnings. Most people can't net their poker sessions. I guess my point is....most of them may lose in the long run but still owe taxes. I'm sorry...I'll STFU.

[livinitup0]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Send the $5 each to a poker lobbyist.

Doc

[/ QUOTE ]

Is there one thats good? If 2+2 won't even get behind the PPA ---

Sarge/images/graemlins/diamond.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

2p2 is a book publishing company...thats all. The posters in this forum make it out to be more than it really is....no offense to the powers that be, just being realistic...and I think thats a big reason why they havent publicly backed anyone during this thing.

As soon as it stops becoming profitable the forum will be gone. I give it a year.

Sorry... not trying to be pessimistic, but what income besides advertising illegal poker sites does the forum generate? More books that we already have copies of?

This is the end, my friend....for now at least.
It was fun while it lasted

[Grasshopp3r]

I think that the $5 should be pooled for some willing congressional pages. They seem to be effective.

[lacky]

[ QUOTE ]
all claim $5 gambling income on our tax returns

[/ QUOTE ]

I either have at least 20,000 players covered on this (so, everyone that reads this thread, and everyone they know, etc. So, anyone that reads this and does nothing, you can feel better about it, I got yer back) or I get to underreport by, well, enough to earn a hefty prison term.

I doubt anyone smart enough to get elected can see the "12 gazilion industry" thing and not realize it has revenue potential, and I think everyone one knows by now that some people make money playing poker.

That you take cheating on your taxes so lightly that you assume everyone else does also pisses my off. Pretty much it's a case of decent folk picking up the slack and doing more than their share to compensate for all the scum that avoid their responsiblities. standerd.

[NorthDakota]

Yeah it's a bad idea... Besides if you can motivate enough people to to try this... Why not just Motivate the same amount of people to vote in one block or form a PAC. That would be strength in numbers.

[Berge20]

Outside of the legal issues....

Practically, this won't do anything. First, who's to say that your $5 didnt come from a lotto ticket? Second, the amount of money in question is a spec in the treasury.

I appreciate the "Outside the box" thinking and such, but sometimes it is best to work within the box.

[TobDog]

[ QUOTE ]
First, who's to say that your $5 didnt come from a lotto ticket?

[/ QUOTE ]

Good point, our friends that wrote the gambling bill would probably use that info to tell people how they stopped the evil gamblers.

[codewarrior]

[ QUOTE ]
all claim $5 gambling income on our tax returns.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, intentionally recording false information on your tax return is just the ticket......

[StregaChess]

[ QUOTE ]


A poker lobbyist?! There is no such thing. Why do you think we're in this mess?

[/ QUOTE ]

OK there is now, I'm taking on the job.
The OP and everyone else can send me $5.