Phil Hellmuth Says Ted Cruz Aiming to Stop ‘Poker Players Death Tax’

Poker Corridor of Famer Phil Hellmuth has revealed he’s been in direct contact with Senator Ted Cruz (R), saying he’s “preventing to remove” controversial modifications to playing deductions included within the One Massive Lovely Invoice Act (OBBB).

The 17-time bracelet winner took to X to share that he had spoken with Cruz, the lead Republican on the invoice, who’s now working to “repair the modifications in deducting playing losses within the OBBB.”

Handed earlier this month, the invoice contains an modification that completely caps playing loss deductions at 90 p.c of winnings. The transfer has alarmed a lot of the poker neighborhood, with many warning it may jeopardize the long-term viability of the sport within the U.S.

Excessive-profile execs together with Daniel Negreanu, Phil Galfond, Doug Polk, and Hellmuth himself have all spoken out towards the modification, warning that it may severely impression skilled gamers and pose an existential menace to the way forward for poker.

Hellmuth, who referred to the invoice because the “Poker Gamers Demise Tax,” added that “Senator Cruz loves poker and is making an attempt to avoid wasting poker and the poker world.”

Republican Senators Block Playing Tax Reversal

Nevertheless, regardless of Senator Cruz’s obvious assist for rolling again the modification, his Republican colleagues should not but on board. On Thursday, Senate Republicans blocked an try and reverse the tax hike on skilled gamblers.

The hassle, led by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D) of Nevada, sought unanimous consent to move a invoice that might restore the complete 100% deduction on playing losses, with the trade very important to Nevada’s tourism and gaming financial system.

Nevertheless, the proposal was blocked by Senator Todd Younger (R) of Indiana.

“It is a Republican piece of laws that’s really inflicting folks to pay taxes on cash they misplaced. It is mindless in any respect,” mentioned Cortez Masto.

“I’m upset, however I’m not achieved,” she added.

Ray Kondler of Kondler CPA, a Las Vegas-based agency specializing in playing taxation, advised PokerNews he expects the “Massive Lovely Invoice” may “have a serious impact on the trade” if modifications should not made to its present type.

What Tax Consultants Need Poker Gamers to Know In regards to the OBBB

Hellmuth Joins Fellow Corridor of Famers in Bounty Occasion

Away from his efforts to combat the playing tax modifications within the Massive Lovely Invoice, Hellmuth is collaborating in at present’s $1,979 Poker Corridor of Fame Bounty at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, becoming a member of a stacked discipline of fellow Corridor of Famers.

Day 1 of the occasion, which is already underway, options legends akin to Barry Greenstein, Tom McEvoy, Daniel Negreanu, and plenty of extra of poker’s all-time greats.

The match kicked off on Friday with a particular ceremony honoring the Corridor of Fame’s latest inductee as Nick Schulman was formally welcomed into poker’s most unique membership in his first 12 months of eligibility.

Nick Schulman Chosen because the 2025 Poker Corridor of Fame Inductee

Eliot Thomas is a Content material Government at PokerNews, specializing in on line casino and poker protection. He has reported from main occasions together with the European Poker Tour and the World Collection of Poker.