Ted Cruz pushes to save poker pros from surprise tax hit in the Big Beautiful Bill

WASHINGTON – Professional poker players might prefer to call the Big Beautiful Bill the Bad Beat Bill, thanks to a surprise provision threatening a significant tax hit for those who make their living at card tables.

Republicans’ nearly one thousand-page bill included significant tax cuts along with funding for border security and immigration enforcement, partially offset with changes to programs such as Medicaid.

Tucked into the bill was one change that apparently went unnoticed by just about everyone, including most senators, until after the measure passed and was signed into law by President Donald Trump.

That change reduces from 100% to 90% the amount of losses gamblers can deduct on their income taxes.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has joined with Nevada Democrats on legislation to restore the full deductibility of losses, saying it’s a matter of basic fairness for professional players who depend on their winnings to pay their bills.

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While Texas doesn’t have the casinos and robust gambling scene of states such as Nevada, there are poker players from the state who travel the country to earn their living, Cruz said.

His interest in addressing the change intersects with his love of poker.

Cruz said he enjoys playing for low stakes with buddies and has become friends with some well-known professionals such as Phil Hellmuth.

Like many Americans, Cruz said he enjoys watching high-profile events such as the World Series of Poker.

“It’s fascinating to watch the poker pros calculating the odds and even more interestingly trying to read each other and trying to ascertain who’s bluffing, who’s got the nuts,” Cruz said.

Cruz holds a regular campaign fundraiser in Vegas featuring poker.

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2025/08/04/ted-cruz-pushes-to-save-poker-pros-from-surprise-tax-hit-in-the-big-beautiful-bill/