I don't believe that the government has any motivation to reduce gamblers'
paper trails by raising the $1200 W2-G minimum--on the contrary! As it is,
only quarter (and lower) single line players can fly "under the radar" of the
IRS, and that is only if they never hit a $1200+ progressive. The IRS is
certainly aware that not all 50c and higher VP players keep good records--and
therefore sometimes feel "forced" to pay taxes based upon their W2-Gs, rather than
on their actual yearly win or loss. The higher the W2-G minimum, the more
people could get away with sloppy (or no) recordkeeping. In a nutshell, the
lower the W2-G threshold, the more the IRS can be expected to collect in taxes.
So why would they raise it?
Other than hand pays, slot floorpeople make change (for the CWs, or for
those that like to put $5 at a time into a machine), watch your machine while you
use the restroom, fix paper jams and refill the printer paper, call a slot
tech when necessary, answer customer questions ("Which way is the slot club?"
or "Where can I find dollar Wheel of Fortune?"), and a few other minor
things. It does seem that, at least during the day on weekdays, there are usually
more floorpeople than are needed to take care of customers. Many "keep busy"
by pushing in chairs, emptying ashtrays, throwing away trash, etc.
Brian
ยทยทยท
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In a message dated 11/8/2005 6:35:43 AM Pacific Standard Time,
dipy911@yahoo.com writes:
You high limit players need to contact your Senators and Congressmen
to get them to remove or increase the $1200 limit. Then they would
need a skeleton crew of attendants and a few more well-paid security
people to watch for high-limit ticket thieves. Cashing a royal ticket
for $20,000. Maybe just lock up the machine for a hand-pay on
cash-outs over $10,000.
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