UFC President Dana White Appeals to Trump on Gambling Tax Limit
Dana White, the President of UFC, reached out to President Donald Trump in a letter, urging him to convince Congress to revisit the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). This legislation restricts gambling loss deductions to just 90%. White expressed his concern that the current laws essentially make gambling seem irrational in the U.S., as individuals could owe taxes after losses or pay more than they earn throughout the year. The letter, dated May 11, indicates that White and Trump have previously discussed this matter.
He highlighted that the UFC supports a vibrant, legal sports betting market, which plays a crucial role in enhancing fan engagement, broadcast value, and sponsorship opportunities. White warned that not promoting legal betting could harm the ecosystem they have diligently developed with state regulators and licensed operators over the years.
The authenticity of White’s letter was confirmed by the UFC, and it was first reported by gambling journalist Dustin Gawker. Following the law’s enactment in July, many within the gambling industry raised alarms regarding its adverse implications, particularly for professional and high-stakes bettors.
For instance, if a gambler wins $100,000 but subsequently loses that amount, they can only deduct $90,000 when filing taxes, resulting in a tax liability of $10,000 despite not making a net profit.
Since then, lawmakers from various parties, along with industry advocates, have sought to overturn this provision. U.S. Representative Dina Titus, whose district covers parts of Las Vegas, introduced the Fair Accounting for Income Realized from Gambling Proceeds Tax Act shortly after the OBBBA was enacted. However, it has yet to progress through Congress or receive a vote.
Chris Silk, the American Gaming Association’s senior vice president of government relations, stated, “Restoring the 100 percent gambling loss deduction remains a top priority for us, and we will keep engaging with Congress and the administration to advocate for legislative solutions.” He also extended thanks to Dana White for raising awareness about the detrimental effects this issue has on bettors and the broader legal gaming ecosystem, including associated businesses and jobs.
