Dana White Urges Trump to Reverse 90% Gambler Deduction Cap

UFC president Dana White sent a letter to former President Donald Trump this week urging a reversal of a federal rule that caps deductible gambling losses at 90%. The provision took effect Jan. 1 and was included in a broader legislative package passed in 2025.

In the letter, White wrote, “I believe Congress should fix this issue as the policy is already creating problems.” He added, “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.”

The cap limits how much of gambling losses bettors may claim against winnings and applies to both casual and professional bettors. Previous appeals from Representative Dina Titus and groups of professional bettors have not led to legislative relief.

The tax change was implemented at the start of 2026 and alters a prior practice that allowed bettors to itemize losses to offset reported winnings more fully. Industry stakeholders say the provision can create situations in which taxable income from gambling does not reflect net losses after play.

The letter comes as the regulated sports betting market marks the eighth anniversary of the Supreme Court decision on May 14, 2018, that struck down the federal ban known as PASPA. Since that ruling, states have enacted laws authorizing sports wagering, which has led to new businesses, state tax revenue and expanded wagering options for consumers.

Other industry developments this week included a full U.S. rollout of Polymarket’s iOS app after a months-long beta. Polymarket will compete with established prediction-market platforms, including Kalshi, which reports higher daily trading volumes.

Trump Media & Technology Group disclosed in an SEC filing that its Truth Predict project will focus mainly on marketing and promotional collaboration with Crypto.com’s OG.com platform rather than building a standalone exchange covering elections, commodities and sports as originally announced.

Gambling.com Group said it laid off roughly 150 employees, about 25% of its workforce, as part of a shift to an “AI-first” operating model and estimated the cuts would yield about $13 million in annual savings. The company’s stock has fallen since the layoffs were announced.

In state policy news, lawmakers overrode Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt’s veto of a bill banning dual-currency or “sweeps” casinos, making Oklahoma the third state this year to outlaw such operations after Indiana and Maine. Stitt had argued the measure would criminalize recreational activity and discourage investment; the legislature enacted the ban despite the veto.