Dana White, the President and CEO of UFC, has penned a letter to President Donald Trump, urging him to reconsider a controversial tax rule affecting the deduction of gambling losses. This move has sparked hope not only among MMA fans but also within the poker world, where the new regulations threaten the professional careers of many players.
“Irrational” Law Penalizes Even the Losers
The crux of the issue is the law known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), signed by President Trump in July 2025. Part of this sweeping tax package includes a provision that limits players to deduct gambling losses up to only 90% of winnings. Before this law, Americans could deduct losses up to 100%.
In practice, this means an absurd situation: if a player wins $100,000 and loses $100,000 in a year, their net gain is zero. However, under the new rules, they can only deduct $90,000 of the loss. As a result, the player must pay tax on a “fictional” income of $10,000, despite not making any real profit. Dana White, in his letter dated May 11, 2026, described such wagering laws in the United States as “irrational” because tax liabilities could exceed a player's total annual winnings.
Threatening the Entire Ecosystem
White, who himself is known for high-stakes blackjack, argues that this policy damages the entire legal betting market. According to him, discouraging legal betting undermines an ecosystem built over years in collaboration with regulators and licensed operators. He also points out that the law will affect service workers who rely on tips. If players win less due to taxes or stop playing, they will be less generous to casino staff, White warns.
Using his friendship with Trump, Dana White joins others in opposing the law. Nevada Congresswoman Dina Titus had previously attempted a revision, the “FAIR BET Act,” to restore 100% loss deduction, but it failed. Other politicians who see White's close ties to Trump as pivotal have also expressed support.
The American Gaming Association (AGA) praised White for raising awareness about the negative impacts of this measure, not only on players but also on jobs linked to the legal gaming industry. Whether the friendship between the UFC boss and the US President, which will be further solidified during the UFC Freedom 250 gala at the White House lawn, leads to a legislative change remains to be seen.
Sources: X, People
