A last-minute Senate amendment would let players deduct only 90% of their losses, meaning even break-even gamblers would still owe federal tax. Nevada officials and casino operators warn the measure could upend Las Vegas’s high-limit market.
Amendment Sparks Bipartisan Backlash
Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.) blasted the six-paragraph clause on X as “another attack on gaming and tourism,” promising a fix, while Circa owner Derek Stevens echoed her post within minutes. Both argue the change penalizes people who accurately report gambling income and undermines a key pillar of the state economy.
How the 90% Cap Works
The provision limits, inserted by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), loss write-offs to 90 % of winnings. A gambler who both wins and loses $100,000 in a year would now pay tax on $10,000 instead of nothing — an abrupt reversal of decades-old policy.
Flights to Offshore Risks
Industry analysts warn that squeezing professional poker and sports-betting margins could drive high-rollers to unregulated offshore sites. It can erode revenue for licensed casinos and the states that tax them. Titus warned the rule “pushes people to the black market,” jeopardizing consumer protections.
Next Steps on Capitol Hill
The House narrowly passed the 940-page budget on 3 July; President Trump is expected to sign it on Independence Day. The new deduction limits are expected to take effect within the 2026 tax year, if enacted. That leaves only a brief window for congressional revisions.
Source: https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/how-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-could-impact-gamblers-3392020/
