Date of Publication: December 10, 2025, 07:46h.
Last Modified: December 10, 2025, 07:46h.
- Former President Trump visited Mount Airy Casino Resort on Tuesday
- He emphasized his assertions about a thriving economy
- Trump avoided the topic of gambling tax deductions, which some anticipated
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump made his second casino visit since securing another term in the White House, stopping at the Mount Airy Casino Resort located in the scenic Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.
Many in the gambling community were hoping Trump would touch on a significant upcoming change to federal tax laws set to take effect in 2026. The Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) proposes that deductions for gambling losses will be limited to 90%. This means that if a gambler nets $100K in winnings but also incurs $100K in losses, they will owe federal taxes on $10K of hypothetical income.
Despite expectations, Trump’s talk centered around the economy and claims of declining consumer prices, neglecting the gambling tax topic.
“We were struggling, but now we are the most dynamic country in the world. Democrats have caused high costs, and we are reversing that trend. You’re witnessing lower prices and increased wages. The only aspect truly skyrocketing is the stock market and your 401k,” Trump declared while addressing a crowd in the Mount Airy Casino Resort’s ballroom.
Trump emphasized, “We inherited a problem with severe inflation, and we’re making improvements.”
Gambling Tax Update
The gambling tax deduction reform isn’t heavily discussed outside of gambling circles. However, Trump’s appearance at the Pennsylvania casino raised hopes for a potential dialogue on this matter, akin to his earlier remarks on the “No Tax on Tips” commitment during a January event tailored to tipped workers in Las Vegas.
US Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) remarked, “It’s ironic to hear @POTUS speak about affordability at a casino, especially when tourism has declined due to his policies, affecting the gaming sector without resolution on the 90% tax deduction for gambling losses as a result of his Big, BS, Budget Bill.”
According to the Tax Foundation, a respected think tank focusing on tax policy, a tangible example highlights how the 90% gambling deduction would adversely affect professional gamblers and might lead them to explore illegal gambling options. They referenced Daniel Negreanu, one of the most successful poker players in U.S. history, for illustration.
“During the 2025 World Series of Poker, Negreanu secured $1,478,240 in winnings while his buy-ins totaled $1,297,143, resulting in net winnings of $181,097. Under previous tax policies, this amount would be taxed at 37%, leading to a $67,006 tax liability and $114,091 in take-home pay. However, under the new OBBBA framework limiting losses to 90%, his tax responsibility rises to $115,000, cutting his take-home pay drastically to $66,097,” explained the Tax Foundation.
The federal government’s Joint Committee on Taxation anticipates that this gambling deduction reform will generate an additional $1.1 billion in federal revenue over the next eight to ten years.
Visits to Casinos
Trump, who previously owned casinos, has frequently visited various casinos nationwide. He has leveraged his connections within the gaming industry to organize rallies during his campaign and for official appearances as president.
Shortly after his inauguration, he hosted an event at Circa Resort & Casino in downtown Las Vegas, assuring hospitality and gaming workers that the “No Tax on Tips” proposal would be included in the OBBB. Starting with the 2025 tax year, tipped employees can now deduct up to $25,000 of their tips from their federal taxes.