Overview
- Dana White sent a letter dated May 11 asking President Trump to push for a rollback of the OBBBA limit, and UFC confirmed the letter’s authenticity after reporter Dustin Gouker published it.
- The One Big Beautiful Bill Act lets taxpayers deduct only 90% of gambling losses, which can create taxable income even with no net profit, such as owing tax on $10,000 after winning and then losing $100,000.
- White said the rule discourages legal betting and could drive wagers to unlicensed operators, which he argued would hurt the UFC’s fan engagement and the regulated market it relies on.
- The American Gaming Association called restoring the full deduction a top priority, and Rep. Dina Titus introduced a bill to fix the policy, though no change has passed Congress.
- Early signs of impact include some professional players cutting back, with Poker Hall of Famer Erik Seidel among those reducing play because a losing year can still trigger a federal tax bill.