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The latest fight involving UFC CEO and President Dana White is not happening inside the Octagon. It is happening inside the tax code.
On May 11, White sent a letter to his longtime buddy President Donald Trump asking him to help reverse the controversial gambling tax rule.
White is famous for betting stacks of cash on Las Vegas tables, so this hits close to home for him.
So what is the problem?
The issue comes from a provision buried inside the federal spending package called the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
Before this law, gamblers could deduct 100% of their gambling losses against their winnings when filing taxes.
If you won $100,000 during the year but also lost $100,000, your net gambling income was basically zero. No profit. No extra tax.
But now you can only deduct 90% of your losses.
If you do the math, it means a bettor who breaks even or even loses money overall can still get hit with a tax bill on ‘winnings’ that were already gambled back away.
What did Dana White actually say?
White called this completely “irrational.” He told Trump that the law makes it foolish to bet in America because you can literally end up owing more than you won.
White is not just worried about high rollers; according to his letter, he is also looking out for everyday workers. He pointed out that when gamblers win big, they tip big. Thanks to this new rule, people are restricting their wallets, which hurts dealers, waiters, and the whole service chain. That goes directly against Trump’s big promise to stop taxing tips.
On top of that, White has a business to run. The UFC makes huge money from sports betting partnerships and sponsorships. If fans stop betting because the tax code is rigged against them, legit sportsbooks lose money, and then the UFC loses money.
“Fixing this deduction issue would send a strong signal that the United States supports common-sense regulation. You’ve always stood up for fighters, fans, and American businesses. This is another opportunity to do exactly that,” the letter read.
Critics say Dana White is protecting gamblers like himself
Of course, not everybody is applauding White’s letter.
Predictably, the internet was quick to divide.
Some critics say the tax rule is perfectly fair and that gamblers should not receive special treatment. Others accused White of simply protecting wealthy bettors and high rollers.
Could the law actually change?
Just maybe. White and Trump go way back. Trump goes to UFC fights all the time, and Dana is even hosting a UFC event on the White House South Lawn this June.
There are already bipartisan efforts in Congress trying to reverse or modify the gambling deduction cap. One proposal called the FAIR BET Act would restore the old 100% deduction system.
And White’s involvement seems to have added even more attention to the issue.
At one point, prediction market platform Kalshi saw betting odds on a repeal spike after news of the letter became public.
Which is honestly very funny. People are now gambling on gambling tax laws.
