Poker Bonus versus Casino Bonus - Tax Related

[dgoldsmith]

With poker bonuses, you deposit money and play, generally until you play enough raked hands. If you complete the requirements before the expiration date, then you get the bonuses credited to your cash balance. You never play with the bonus money until you win it. You might win, lose or break-even with your money while playing for the bonus.

I just started casino bonuses this weekend and am trying to figure out how to track this for reporting purposes. With the non-sticky bonuses (all I have played so far), when you make the deposit, the bonus amount is put in your account to play with. You can't withdraw until you meet the wager requirement (WR) but you can play with it ... and lose it. Potentially you can lose MORE than you deposited.

Example 1: $100 deposit and $100 bonus. You lose $120 playing to clear the WR and cashout with $80. Do you consider that:

a) a $100 loss (limited by your deposit)
b) a $20 loss ($100 deposit - $80 cashout)
c) a $120 loss (account balance was $200 to start)
d) something else

Example 2: $100 deposit and $100 bonus. You bust out losing $200 playing and never clear the WR and cashout with $0. Do you consider that:

a) a $100 loss (limited by your deposit)
b) a $100 loss ($100 deposit - $0 cashout)
c) a $200 loss (account balance was $200 to start)
d) something else

Thanks

[Homer]

Answer 'b' for both.