gambling while signing on

gambler00

So I got made redundant and I have been "reinvesting" my pay out in various gambling enterprises over the last few months. I reckon I am probably ahead, not by much, but enough to buy me an occasional carryout or whatever. I have been spending most of my spare time doing this just to keep my mind active as much as anything, but if I continue to make even a small amount what would the job centre have to say about it? I could make money this month then lose it all and more next month, so should I really tell the jobcentre when I win?

(yes, I realise i would possibly have a job by now had I put in the same effort into job hunting... ).

scootw1

this has to be a wind-up:mad:

dave4545454

gambler00 wrote: »

So I got made redundant and I have been "reinvesting" my pay out in various gambling enterprises over the last few months. I reckon I am probably ahead, not by much, but enough to buy me an occasional carryout or whatever. I have been spending most of my spare time doing this just to keep my mind active as much as anything, but if I continue to make even a small amount what would the job centre have to say about it? I could make money this month then lose it all and more next month, so should I really tell the jobcentre when I win?

(yes, I realise i would possibly have a job by now had I put in the same effort into job hunting... ).

no you dont need to tell the jobcentre. gambling is tax free and doesn't need to be declared, enjoy your winnings

dmg24

dave4545454 wrote: »

no you dont need to tell the jobcentre. gambling is tax free and doesn't need to be declared, enjoy your winnings

This is wrong, all because something is tax free does not mean it is not declarable for benefit purposes.

OP, there is some case law in this area, and each case comes down to individual circumstances. However the general rule is that if you are gambling as a career any profit would count as income.

When I claimed I declared matched betting profits and it was not counted as income, and there have been no new cases (that I am aware of) in the time since then.

marydot

You dont need to tell anybody anything, I dont understand why you need to tell people on a public forum either. Do what you have to do but in the end you may lose to gambling!!! Think twice!!

TheBottomLine_2

This is an interesting point. I won £9 last week on Euromillions and it never occurred to me to declare it. If I win something like 20 million I'll tell them.

G51shopaholic

as long as you don't go over the permitted savings allowance then you don't need to tell them.

You won't get paid any dole money until your redundancy notice is up.

Good luck

dave4545454

dmg24 wrote: »

This is wrong, all because something is tax free does not mean it is not declarable for benefit purposes.

OP, there is some case law in this area, and each case comes down to individual circumstances. However the general rule is that if you are gambling as a career any profit would count as income.

When I claimed I declared matched betting profits and it was not counted as income, and there have been no new cases (that I am aware of) in the time since then.

this is wrong, gambling doesn't need to be declared

Jowo_2

gambler00 wrote: »

... I have been spending most of my spare time doing this just to keep my mind active as much as anything...
(yes, I realise i would possibly have a job by now had I put in the same effort into job hunting... ).

'Tis as you know, a mug's game and one where you freely admit it's sustaining your worklessness as you are diverting your time and energy to it.

To keep your mind active, and to enjoy a social outlet, and to increase your employability, and to stop a potential slide into addiction, look into voluntary work.

jonnyboy82

keep gambling son no one cares:T

dmg24

G51shopaholic wrote: »

as long as you don't go over the permitted savings allowance then you don't need to tell them.

You won't get paid any dole money until your redundancy notice is up.

Good luck

The capital limits are relevant as you describe, however the money may be classed as income as I noted above.

It is a complex area, and AFAIK very few cases are found to fall under the career gambling definition.

dave4545454 wrote: »

this is wrong, gambling doesn't need to be declared

Go and check the case law, then come back and admit you were wrong!