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[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]

[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[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]

[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...



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[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]

[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