UFC President Dana White has asked President Trump to help rescind the gambling provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The bill allows gamblers to deduct only 90% of losses, as opposed to the 100% allowed before the bill became law on Jan. 1.
Officials in the gaming industry warned the provision would have a negative impact for operators. Poker players were the first to shed light on the issue. High-stakes pro Erik Seidel said the bill put him into semi-retirement.
White, who has a relationship with the president and also supports the Big Bill overall, is now urging Trump to take action on the gambling aspect of the law.
“I believe Congress should fix this issue, as the policy is already creating problems,” White wrote.
“The current law makes it irrational to be in the United States because you could end up owing taxes even when you lose or having a tax bill that exceeds your winnings for the year.”
Casino Employees Feel Effect
Trump has made regular appearances with White at UFC events over the last few years. The president has also worked with White to organize a UFC event in Washington, D.C. as part of the country’s 250th anniversary celebration this upcoming summer.
Some in the gaming industry hope that relationship may convince the president to push for repealing the gambling provision. White said the effects on the gaming industry could have a negative impact on Trump’s “no tax on tips” aspect of the law.
That portion of the bill was meant to help hourly workers, like those at Nevada casinos. White said reduced gambling tourism numbers could mean reduced wagers for those employees.
“Beyond that, the change has knock-on effects for businesses like mine,” White wrote. “The UFC supports a healthy, legal sports betting market to drive fan engagement, broadcast value, and sponsorships. When legal betting is discouraged, it hurts the ecosystem we’ve spent years building in partnership with state regulators and licensed operators. It also undercuts the transparency and integrity protections that legal betting provides for professional sports.
“Fixing this deduction issue would send a strong signal that the United States supports common-sense regulation. You’ve always stood up for fighters, fans, and American businesses. This is another opportunity to do exactly that.”
Senator Applauds White’s Effort
The letter from White comes as lawmakers have worked over the last year to reach an agreement on a bill to remove the gambling tax provision. Nevada Rep. Dina Titus was the first to work on the issue, filing the FAIR BET Act last year.
So far, those efforts have come up short.
Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) has been a vocal proponent of a repeal and posted her support of White’s effort on X/Twitter.
“I have a bipartisan bill to reverse the nonsense tax on gambling losses for exactly this reason: It’s hurting players, our gaming and tourism industry, and the workers who count on them for their livelihoods,” the senator said.
“I agree with Dana White, the president needs to join us and fix this now.”
