Dana White, the President of UFC, has taken a stand against the recent federal cap on gambling loss deductions, urging President Donald Trump to reconsider this legislation. In a letter addressed to Trump, White emphasized the need to overturn the 90 percent limit imposed by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
The timing of this appeal is significant, as the House Ways and Means Committee is reportedly preparing to hold hearings on tax issues related to sports betting in the near future. This could provide an avenue for White's concerns to be addressed.
In his letter, which was first reported by analyst Dustin Gouker, White expressed that the current law creates an unreasonable situation for bettors. He stated, “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 also linked this issue to the broader regulated sports betting environment, noting that discouraging legal betting undermines the ecosystem that has been developed in collaboration with state regulators and licensed operators.
His appeal comes at a time when the UFC is preparing for its UFC 250: Freedom event at the White House, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States, highlighting White's close political ties and influence.
Support for White's initiative has quickly emerged from lawmakers involved in the repeal efforts. Representative Dina Titus, a strong advocate for reversing the changes, thanked White for his efforts, stating, “We cannot postpone this issue any longer.” Senator Catherine Cortez Masto also echoed White's sentiments, urging immediate action.