how would you know?

Only net winnings are taxable. If you win 10000.00 on Saturday, then lose 3000.00 on Sunday, only 7000.00 is taxable.

The churches I've been part of would actually count the cash in the envelope and give you credit for the amount in the envelope, not what was marked on the front of the envelope. Sorta like a bank teller would do with a cash deposit slip.

But you need to be able to prove that you lost the 3K.

ATM/CC receipts, a casino 'tab' receipt or something like that.

what are you implying?

First you have to win the 10000.00.

Well I don't have that much luck to win that much and I don't have that kind of money to lose, so I really don't gotta worry about it...

not that kind of money to lose?

you would if you stayed out of Canada!

Their casinos aren't Native run.

No free drinks, you can't smoke, and it's a hassle to cross the border.

I'll give my money to the Natives.

i was referring to your 'other contributions' while in that country

OH! the 'tourism.'

I'm just trying to keep the "tithing" posts straight from the "gambling" posts. Not many conversations mix the two - but then again, this IS BOL...

Tithing has a fantastic effect on one's tax liability. You could even possibly call it a blessing.

tithing is somewhat of a "gamble" though...isn't it?

from dictinary.com:

noun 1. Sometimes, tithes. the tenth part of agricultural produce or personal income set apart as an offering to God or for works of mercy, or the same amount regarded as an obligation or tax for the support of the church, priesthood, or the like.

2. any tax, levy, or the like, esp. of one-tenth.

3. a tenth part or any indefinitely small part of anything

oh the possibilities with this one

I'm thinking the 'or the like' fits gambling. Let's look at this broadly now.

I'm setting aside 10% of my income for the casino. It's a Native American run casino. The Native Americans have a very spiritual background. I'm simply helping to fund the education of the history of the Natives!

no?

The way my church explained it (when they had a campaign to get people to tithe) was that you were to give 5% of your annual income to the church and 5% to other various charities or religious institutions. I think it was their way of allowing for the school tuition to count (encouraging enrollment).

That's actually very refreshing to hear from a church instead of the regular give us all of your tithe.

Maybe I'm missing the boat here (chances are good)...but isn't it weird that the church asks (demands in some churchs) for tithes? Isn't the intent to give because you want to give??

Personally, this thread has completely confused me.

I assumed tithe was what someone with a lisp said when referring to the slang term for a certain part of a woman's anatomy.

So from the jist of this thread you can claim donations to the church as gambling losses if you chose the incorrect church an are goin straight to he...

'Xactly

I think the intent is to give in obedience to God and in recognition that everything we have is only by His blessing.

but isn't talking about all the good works you (not specifically you j-man - you just happen to be the last poster. this is a generic "you") do, or the money you give, contrary to religious teaching? obviously, i don't know the tenets of every church, but it would seem to me that talking about it is a way to get recognition for it, which makes it not a "church-like"* act.

*i didn't want to specify "christian" or any specific religion here. i'm not pointing fingers at any church.

^^^ buddhist