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Is this situation handled differently for a gambler as opposed to any other type of side business?...Why wouldn't a poker playre be treated the same? Poker is a side business just like hundreds of other secondary endeavors.
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Blame Congress. They wrote the Tax Code--it's law, Title 26 U.S.C.
The IRS used to argue that no one could be a professional gambler. One reason for this is that gambling income is not considered "earned" income. When you are self-employed in, say, a pet grooming business, your income is "earned" income. Gambling income specifically cannot be earned income (per the Tax Code).
However, back in 1987 the Supreme Court ruled in
Commissioner v. Groetzinger that you can be a professional gambler if "...one's gambling activity is pursued full time, in good faith, and with regularity, to the production of income for a livelihood, and is not a mere hobby, it is a trade or business...."
Additionally, Section 165(d) of the Tax Code prohibits, for tax purposes, gambling losses in excess of gambling winnings. Courts have held that this provision of the Tax Code is in effect for both amateur and professional gamblers.
In order for the law to change, Congress will have to act. I'm not holding my breath....
-- Russ Fox