Casinos In Pa. May Be Required To Send Gambling Invoices

State governments have been widely unsuccessful in trying to collect tax money from gamblers who have won jackpots or other winnings inside a casino. In Pennsylvania, they are ready to get strict on the issue.

A Bill is currently being examined in the General Assembly that would require that casinos send invoices to their customers who have won money. The invoices would go out monthly and would also include a gamblers losses for the previous month.

The Bill is actually aimed at curbing the problem gambling that exists in the state. The hope is that problem gamblers will see the invoices and realize just how much money they are throwing away.

Of course, while that is how the Bill is being pitched, there is an upside for the state. If they go after tax money from winnings a gambler received, the gambler will no longer be able to claim ignorance.

The state will be able to prove that the gambler received a statement showing just how much money was won over the course of a month. The casinos are having difficulty understanding what good could come from the invoices.

Problem gamblers, "require more than a mailed statement to assist them in finding ways to address their illness and compulsion," said Tom Bonner, Vice President of the company that runs Philadelphia Park Racetrack.

Casinos in Pennsylvania are also concerned about the costs of the invoices. They take in millions of dollars annually, but are afraid that a few cents for invoices might harm their bottom line.

August 1, 2008
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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