Definition of a Professional Gambler?

[DrIn$entive]

Was at the casino and was talking to a friend of a friend, doing some small talk and I asked him what he did for a living... He said he was a Professional Gambler. He said he had a wife and kids, etc, and that he hadn't worked a real job in over 9 years. So now I'm getting jealous, j/k, so I asked him what was his best year, and he told me his best year was in 2008 when he only LOST about $60,000. Yes LOST! He said he has never had a winning year at all!

So I asked him how can he be a professional gambler if he doesn't make money gambling and he said because its the only thing he does just about every single day of the year is play poker, play blackjack, gamble on sports, etc. etc.. He said his father passed away 9 years prior and he was living off his nice sized inheritance.

I guess for tax purposes he is considered a "Professional Gambler" even if he never makes a profit? I always thought "Professional Gambler" meant being a successful gambler.

Would you consider this guy a Professional Gambler?

[jgilmartin]

No. He is a retired person who enjoys gambling.

[Sam Odom]

when >50% of one's income is from gaming

[DerekMadden]

No. He is a retired person who enjoys gambling.

[UntilTheNDofTimE]

When you can support your lifestyle off gambling. Since his lifestyle is being supported by a inheritance he isnt a professional gambler. If for instance you ate top ramon everyday and rented a room for $100 a month and you only made 2,000 a year gambling you could say you were a professional gambler. Whereas if you made 6 figures gambling but you made 7 figures working for a company i wouldnt consider you a professional gambler if you couldnt support your lifestyle off of the 6 figure gambling salary.

[milwaukee mike]

so his best year he still lost around $200/day?

there has to be a cheaper and more fun hobby than that. how much fun could gambling be if he has a big pile of inheritance? hard to get excited about winning $500 if you have 2 million in the bank...

[hels]

He's a delusional man. One we all dream of being.

[hels]

so his best year he still lost around $200/day?

there has to be a cheaper and more fun hobby than that. how much fun could gambling be if he has a big pile of inheritance? hard to get excited about winning $500 if you have 2 million in the bank...

No kidding eh. I'd just be traveling around going fishing, playing golf and banging young pussy.

[ShogunRua]

He said he was a Professional Gambler. He said he had a wife and kids, etc, and that he hadn't worked a real job in over 9 years. he told me his best year was in 2008 when he only LOST about $60,000

That answers the question for you.

Guy is a delusional, degenerate bum that is wasting away that inheritance money.