If you play the ponies, play cards or pull the slots, your gambling winnings are taxable.  You must report them on your tax return.  If you gamble, these tax tips can help you at time time next year:

1.  Gambling income.  In come from gambling includes winnings from the lottery, horse racing and casinos.  It also includes cash and non-cash prizes.  You must report the fair market value of non-cash prizes like cars and trips.

2.  Payer tax form.  If you win, the payer may give you a Form W-2G, Certain Gambling Winnings.  The payer also sends a copy of the W-2G to the IRS.  The payer must issue the form based on the type of gambling, the amount you win and other factors.  You'll also get a form W-2G if the payer must withhold income tax from what you win.

3.  How to report winnings.  You normally report your winnings for the year on your tax return as "Other Income."  You must report all your gambling winnings as income.  This is true even if you don't receive a Form W-2G.

4.  How to deduct losses.  You can deduct your gambling losses on Schedule A., Itemized Deductions.  The amount you can deduct is limited to the amount of the gambling income you report on your return.

5.  Keep gambling receipts.  You should keep track of your wins and losses.  This includes keeping items such as a gambling log or diary, receipts, statements or tickets.

See Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income for rules on this topic.  Refer to Publication 529, Miscellaneous Deductions for more on losses.  It also lists some of the types of records you should keep.

Whether you roll the dice, play cards or bet on the ponies, all your winnings are taxable.  The IRS offers these six tax tips for the casual gambler.

1.  Gambling income includes winnings from lotteries, raffles, horse races and casinos.  It also includes cash and the fair market value of prizes you receive, such as cars and trips.

2.  If you win, you may receive a Form W-2G, Certain Gambling Winnings, from the payer.  The form reports the amount of your winnings to you and the IRS.  The payer issues the form depending on the type of gambling, the amount of winnings, and other factors.  You’ll also receive a Form W-2G if the payer withholds federal income tax from your winnings.

3.  You must report all your gambling winnings as income on your federal income tax return. This is true even if you do not receive a Form W-2G.

4.  If you’re a casual gambler, report your winnings on the “Other Income” line of your Form 1040, U. S. Individual Income Tax Return.

5.  You may deduct your gambling losses on Schedule A, Itemized Deductions.  The deduction is limited to the amount of your winnings.  You must report your winnings as income and claim your allowable losses separately.  You cannot reduce your winnings by your losses and report the difference.

6.  You must keep accurate records of your gambling activity.  This includes items such as receipts, tickets or other documentation.  You should also keep a diary or similar record of your activity.  Your records should show your winnings separately from your losses.