UFC's White Urges President Trump to Change Gambling Tax Law
Mike Goodpaster Published 20/05/2026
UFC President Dana White is calling upon his friend, U.S. President Donald Trump, to step in and repeal the gambling tax deduction. A change that reduced the tax write-off for gambling losses from 100% to 90% was introduced as part of Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which was rapidly pushed through Congress late last year.
In a letter to Trump dated May 11, White urges the President to recognize the need to reverse the 90 percent limit on gambling loss deductions for US taxpayers included in the OBBBA. This change in the gambling laws is proving to be a concern for both bettors and the gambling industry itself.
Gambling Tax is a punishment for bettors
For people who aren't bettors, this change in the gambling tax deduction might seem like it's a minor matter. For people who do a significant amount of sports betting, it is a very serious issue.
Suppose you bet $100 and lost the entire $100. Under the old system, which allowed for a 100% tax deduction, you'd be able to deduct the entire $100 loss. However, with the new 90% deduction rate, you can only claim $90 of that $100 loss. It's like losing twice. Yoy dropped the $100 on your bet and then had to pay an additional $10 to the government. Instead of breaking even, you're down $10.
This is the issue that White is emphasizing with Trump. It was gambling industry influencer Dustin Gouker who first revealed White's letter to the President via his social media channels.
"The current law makes it irrational to bet 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,” White wrote in his letter to the President.
White believes that the gambling tax change is impacting the UFC
The UFC will be holding a live card of MMA on the front lawn of the White House on July 4. It's part of the country's 250th birthday celebrations.
White believes that by limiting their gambling tax deductions, it is keeping people from wagering on UFC events.
"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."
The UFC president also thinks that by changing the gambling tax laws, the U.S. government could be driving players to switch to unregulated offshore sports betting sites. Bettors don't pay taxes on wagers placed with those sites.
"When legal betting is discouraged, it hurts the ecosystem we've spent years building in partnership with state regulators and licensed operators," White notes. "It also undercuts the transparency and integrity protections that legal betting provides for professional sports."
Politicians are supportive of White's efforts
Politicians who've been unsuccessful in their attempts to return the 100 per cent gambling loss tax deductions are hopeful that White can convince Trump where they've failed to get his attention.
"I have a bipartisan bill to reverse the nonsense tax on gambling losses for exactly this reason," Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto posted on X. "It’s hurting players, our gaming and tourism industry, and the workers who count on them for their livelihoods.
Nevada Rep. Dana Titus was also grateful for White's efforts. She's tried several times to get the 100% gambling tax deduction resumed.
"Thank you @danawhite for keeping up the pressure on @POTUS to restore the 100% tax deduction for gambling losses," Titus posted on her social media. "I’ve led the fight here in Congress to get this fixed with bipartisan support. We cannot postpone this issue any longer.”
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