GAMBLING wins -VA pension: help! casinos that don't issue LOSS statements? any suggestions?

Question

I'm a veteran; live in Reno, Nevada. Recieve a VA pension(not DISABILITY); can't remember its exact title: increases ones income to the "poverty" ceiling.

Here in Nevada, don't know about the rest of the country, the VA will accept a LOSS statement from a casino, which serves to cancel out a jackpot win. If you don't submit these to the VA, when they question your annual income for a year, because of such a win, it, the VA, will then cancel your pension for an entire year.

Any of you veterans that have experienced such a dilemma, care to offer any advice as to how to deal with this, so that you don't lose your pension?

Alberich

Answer 1

First off, thank you for your service to the country. Veterans never seem to get the recognition they deserve.

I've never understood the idea of writing off gambling debts from your taxes. They don't seem to do that for people who make "bad investments." But it is done. For minor winnings, who knows maybe $10,000 or less,  you can get a statement from a casino that pretty much calls it a wash ... knowing that all those lights, theaters, free drinks, cheap buffets, &c in downtown Las Vegas were not built on the money people won from the casinos ... they can easily make the assertion that whoever won that size jackpot must have put in at least that much in losses ahead of time. Should be easy, but you might want to talk with your tax person about it.

... btw, the worst gambling trip I ever had, I went to Stateline/South Lake Tahoe with a friend. Had dinner the first night and played keno. First round I won $250 bucks... ruined the rest of the gambling portion of the weekend, because I knew I'd lose it. Actually it payed for our rooms and a couple of shows. Had a great time, but I didn't spend more than 20 bucks for slots the rest of the time we were there.

Answer 2

I personally play at online casinos and never had any trouble. They have never reported any of my winnings or losses or anything to anyone. I do it in the comfort of my home, and with privacy.

You can check out some good sites at http://bestfreecasinochips.tripod.com

Hope that helps

Answer 3

I'm not a veteran but I do like to gamble.  I'm assuming you've hit jackpots that were over $1200 otherwise your winnings wouldn't be reported and you'd be fine.  If you hit the ATM or took any bank draws at your casino maybe you could use your receipts as loss documentation.

Did you use a players card while gambling?  If you did it should show a record of every dollar you gambled which is how the casinoes track your loss.  If you have a players card then the casino MUST have a win/loss statement for you.  Have you tried calling their accounting department?

Doesn't make much sense to me that someone on a VA pension could be penalized for earning/winning extra income.  That would make sense if you were on disability.  So if you were to get a part-time job the VA would take away your pension???  That hardly sounds fair at all!

Contact your casinoes accounting department.

Gather up any receipts you might have.

Good Luck  :)