Dina Titus Takes the Mic in Vegas to Back Gamblers’ Tax Break

A push to bring back full gambling loss deductions is about to get its biggest spotlight yet. Nevada Rep. Dina Titus will take center stage during a House Ways and Means Committee field hearing in Las Vegas to promote her FAIR BET Act.

Good to know

• Gamblers used to deduct 100% of losses; now only 90% is allowed under the new law.
• Titus wants to restore the full deduction through her FAIR BET Act.
• Industry leaders and poker pros back the bill, but political roadblocks remain.

Titus shared on social media that the hearing on Friday will be a key moment for her bill. The committee, which oversees tax laws, could influence whether the measure moves forward. She stressed that both Democrats and Republicans support the change and urged lawmakers to act.

The controversy started with the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which Congress passed earlier this month. Hidden in the final version was a cap on gambling loss deductions. Instead of being able to write off all losses against winnings, gamblers can now only deduct 90%.

Take a bettor who wins $11,000 and loses $10,000 in a year. Under the old rule, only $1,000 in gains would be taxed. Now, the gambler can only write off $9,000, so they must pay taxes on $2,000—twice the taxable income compared to the previous law.

For gamblers who barely break even or lose money, this change is even more painful. They might owe taxes without having made any real profit. Professional players argue it could push them away from the regulated market altogether.

Well-known names like poker pro Phil Galfond and Las Vegas casino operator Derek Stevens have come out in support of restoring the full deduction. The American Gaming Association has also voiced support.

Titus has introduced the FAIR BET Act to bring back the full 100% deduction. As of Wednesday, ten lawmakers have signed on, including four Republicans.

Still, getting it passed will not be easy. Congress sees thousands of bills each year, and very few make it through. Even with bipartisan support, Titus’ bill must get through a Republican-led House and Senate.

Republicans had added the 90% cap to help balance tax cuts in the massive federal spending package. Although the deduction limit is only expected to bring in $1 billion over a decade, GOP lawmakers may prefer to keep it.

Time is also tight. Congress will not reconvene until September. Even if the field hearing builds momentum, the committee will not vote immediately. The bill must still survive both chambers of Congress, and supporters hope it might get wrapped into one of the many technical “fix” bills planned for the larger tax law.

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