Titus Urges House Leaders To Fast-Track Gambling Loss Deduction Fix
Rep. Dina Titus has asked House Republican leaders to move a fix for the federal gambling loss deduction before the year ends.
In a letter and statement dated November 5, 2026, the Nevada Democrat urged the House to include her measure in must-pass legislation when it reconvenes next week.
The letter went to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Titus wrote that enacting the bipartisan provision would correct an unfair change in the tax code and give taxpayers, businesses and regulated gaming markets across the country the certainty they need.
Her measure is the FAIR BET Act, H.R. 4304. It would restore the 100 percent deduction for gambling losses that Congress trimmed to 90 percent last year.
How The 90 Percent Cap Came About
The cut came through a provision added to the Senate-amended version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Congress passed last year. It lowered the gambling loss deduction from 100 percent to 90 percent of losses.
Titus argues the change taxes people on money they never won. A simple illustration shows why.
A bettor who wins $10,000 over a year and loses $10,000 has broken even. If only 90 percent of those losses can be deducted, $9,000 offsets the winnings and the bettor is taxed on the remaining $1,000, despite finishing the year with no profit.
Titus introduced the FAIR BET Act on July 7, 2025. It cleared the House Ways and Means Committee by a vote of 38-5 in September and is now awaiting House leadership's scheduling of a floor vote.
What Titus Is Asking For
With Congress returning from recess and turning to end-of-year legislation, Titus asked leadership to quickly bring a gambling-loss deduction fix to the House floor and attach it to a must-pass legislative vehicle.
A bill that has to pass gives a stand-alone measure its best chance of becoming law before the calendar turns.
She said the 90 percent limit places an unfair burden on professional gamblers and casual players alike.
Her concern is that it will push players toward offshore and unregulated markets, where consumer protections do not exist, which she says would undermine responsible gaming efforts nationwide.
Titus also warned of a hit to the domestic industry. In her view, the change will further reduce tax revenue, stifle investment, cost jobs and affect ancillary businesses that depend on regulated gaming.
What It Means For Bettors
For now, the 90 percent cap stays in place, and nothing in the letter commits House leaders to act. Whether the fix rides on a year-end package will be clear only once that legislation is drafted.
Our earlier reporting covered how Nevada has pressed Congress to reverse the cut and how Rep. Steven Horsford has pushed for a fix.
Anyone who bets regularly with a legal sportsbook should keep records of wins and losses and check how the deduction applies to their own tax situation with a qualified adviser.
This article is general news and not tax advice. To compare licensed options in your state, see our guide to sports betting in the US.
Refer to Cashback Terms & Conditions for full program terms.
