Dana White Urges Trump to Restore Full Deductions for Gambling Losses

^{Pictured: Dana White, UFC President / © Shutterstock}

UFC president Dana White has asked Donald Trump to support repealing a new limit on tax deductions for U.S. gambling taxpayers. Journalist Dustin Gouker published a letter in which White said the new rule penalises legal gambling customers and damages an ecosystem that has been built over many years.

The measure is an amendment to U.S. tax law that took effect on January 1, 2026.

Gamblers can now deduct only 90% of their gambling losses against gambling winnings when calculating taxable income. Previously, deductions were allowed up to 100% of losses.

As a result, some players may face so-called phantom income — a situation in which a person has made no actual profit but is still required to pay tax.

For example, if a player won $100,000 and lost $100,000 in the same year, their taxable income previously would have been zero. Under the new rules, they may owe tax on the remaining $10,000 that cannot be fully offset by deductions.

“If we can fix this tax deduction issue, it will show that the United States supports clear and sensible rules for the industry. You have always supported athletes, fans and American business — and now you have an opportunity to do so again,” White said.

Several bills have already been introduced in Congress to repeal the limit, including the FAIR BET Act, sponsored by Rep. Dina Titus. The change was included in a broader budget and tax package passed in 2025. According to congressional estimates, the measure is expected to raise additional federal revenue.