Donald Trump’s Complex Relationship with Sports Betting and Gambling Policy
Donald Trump’s relationship with sports betting and the broader gambling industry represents one of the most fascinating intersections of business, politics, and regulation in modern American history. As the 47th President of the United States and former casino magnate, Trump brings a unique perspective to debates about betting odds, gambling regulation, and the legalization of sports wagering across America. His views on sports betting have evolved over decades, from his days operating Atlantic City casinos to his current position shaping federal gambling policy.
Trump’s Casino Empire and Early Betting Industry Involvement
Before entering politics, Donald Trump built a significant portion of his business empire on the gambling industry. His ownership of multiple casino properties in Atlantic City, including the Trump Taj Mahal, Trump Plaza, and Trump Marina, gave him intimate knowledge of betting markets and wagering operations. During the 1990s, Trump actively advocated for sports betting legalization in New Jersey, recognizing the potential revenue streams that legal sports betting could bring to his casino properties and the state’s economy.
In 1993, when New Jersey had a narrow window to legalize sports betting under the newly passed Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), Trump publicly criticized state lawmakers for missing the opportunity. He appeared on radio shows ripping then-Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly Garabed “Chuck” Haytaian for allowing the state to lose out on this lucrative gambling market. Trump believed that legalization would benefit taxpayers and senior citizens through increased tax revenues from betting industry operations. For enthusiasts tracking how political decisions intersect with betting landscapes, platforms like UK Political Betting offer comprehensive insights into similar high-stakes wagering scenarios across the pond.
The 2018 PASPA Decision and Trump’s Presidential Stance
The landscape of sports betting in America changed dramatically during Trump’s first presidency when the Supreme Court struck down PASPA in 2018. This landmark decision opened the door for states to individually legalize sports wagering, fundamentally reshaping the online gambling and betting apps market across the nation. Interestingly, the Trump administration sided with major professional sports leagues in opposing New Jersey’s sports betting challenge, despite Trump’s previous advocacy for legalization and his casino background.
This apparent contradiction highlights the complexity of Trump’s position on gambling regulation. While he understood the economic benefits of legal sports betting from his business experience, his administration initially took a more cautious stance on rapid expansion of betting markets. However, once PASPA fell, the Trump administration largely let states determine their own gambling laws, consistent with Republican principles of state sovereignty.
Trump on Corruption in Sports Betting
Trump has been remarkably candid about his concerns regarding corruption in the sports betting industry. During a November 2024 appearance on the SiriusXM podcast “Let’s Go!” with Jim Gray and Bill Belichick, Trump addressed the potential for corruption in legalized sports gambling with characteristic bluntness.
“Well, there’ll be corruption, and the only question is will it be massive corruption or will it be, you know, regular, standard corruption?” Trump commented. “It’s very interesting that they’ve gone from one extreme to the other. They kept Pete Rose out of the Hall of Fame for, I mean, like a ridiculous – in my opinion – a ridiculous situation… But, no, I think you’ll have – you’re gonna have corruption. When you have gambling, you have a lot of it.”
This acknowledgment of corruption represents Trump’s pragmatic view of the online betting landscape. Rather than offering idealistic promises, he recognizes the inherent challenges in maintaining gambling transparency and preventing industry malfeasance. His reference to Pete Rose, baseball’s all-time hits leader who was banned for betting on games, demonstrates his awareness of how sports wagering can compromise competitive integrity.
Trump’s 2025 Gambling Tax Policy Controversy
In 2025, Trump signed his “big, beautiful bill” into law, which included a controversial provision affecting gambling policy. The legislation limited what gamblers can deduct from their yearly taxes to 90% of their losses starting in 2026, down from the previous 100% deduction. This change sparked significant backlash from the gambling market, particularly professional gamblers and poker players who argued it could create scenarios where bettors owe taxes on “phantom income” they never actually earned.
The American Gaming Association, which represents the casino corporations and sportsbook operators, had lobbied against this change, listing the 100% gambling loss deduction as one of their top priorities for tax legislation. Despite Trump’s historical connections to the gambling industry, the provision remained in the final bill, suggesting either a revenue-driven decision or a policy shift toward stricter gambling regulation.
Rep. Dina Titus, a Democrat representing Las Vegas, immediately introduced legislation to reverse the tax change, tweeting: “Buried within the BS Republican Budget bill is a provision that harms poker players and those who gamble by limiting loss deductions. I’m working on a legislative fix that fairly treats gaming losses in the tax code.”
Trump’s Current Influence on Legal Sports Betting Expansion
Industry executives remain confident that Trump’s presidency will favor expanded sports betting legalization. Given his background in the gambling industry and general pro-business stance, many expect the administration to support state efforts to legalize apps and online gambling platforms. According to industry insiders, Trump’s perceived support of iGaming expansion could be particularly influential in red states where Republican leadership might be more receptive to endorsements from a Republican president with casino expertise.
In January 2025, the American Gaming Association expressed optimism about working with the Trump administration on critical industry priorities, including encouraging states to legalize online casino gambling. Only seven states currently permit online casino betting, compared to nearly 40 where online sports betting is legal. Trump’s influence could accelerate the expansion of both sports wagering and casino gambling across more states.
The NBA Gambling Scandal Response
Trump’s most recent comments on sports gambling came in response to a major NBA gambling scandal. When asked about the arrests of basketball Hall-of-Famer Chauncey Billups and current Miami Heat player Terry Rozier for alleged betting violations, Trump aboard Air Force One was characteristically direct: “What do I think? I think it’s very bad. I think it’s terrible.”
This response demonstrates Trump’s continued awareness of corruption risks and his willingness to condemn misconduct in the gambling industry. The scandal, involving Mafia-backed illegal poker operations and players faking injuries to manipulate odds, validates Trump’s earlier warnings about corruption being inevitable in sports wagering markets.
Trump’s Broader Vision for Gambling Regulation
Throughout his career, Trump has maintained that legal sports betting is preferable to the massive illegal betting market estimated at $150 billion annually. This pragmatic approach aligns with arguments from the American Gaming Association and other industry advocates who contend that regulated bets markets are safer and more transparent than underground operations.
Trump’s position acknowledges that gambling markets will exist regardless of their legal status. By bringing them into the light through gambling regulation and legal sports betting frameworks, governments can tax wagering operations, protect consumers, and monitor for betting corruption. This harm-reduction approach represents a significant philosophical framework for how America should approach online gambling and sports betting going forward.
The Future of Betting Policy Under Trump
Looking ahead, Trump’s second term will likely see continued expansion of legal sports betting and online gambling across additional states. His administration appears unlikely to pursue federal legislation that would restrict state-level bets legislation, instead maintaining the current state-by-state approach to gambling laws.
However, questions remain about how aggressively the federal government will address gambling industry concerns like advertising restrictions, protection of college athletes from harassment over prop bets, and enforcement against illegal operations. Trump’s past comments suggest awareness of these issues, but whether his administration will take concrete action remains to be seen.
Conclusion: A Pragmatic Approach to Sports Wagering
Donald Trump’s views on sports betting reflect his unique position as both a former casino operator and sitting president. His candid acknowledgment of betting corruption risks, combined with his support for legal markets over illegal ones, represents a pragmatic approach to gambling policy. While critics argue he hasn’t done enough to address betting industry challenges, supporters contend his business experience makes him uniquely qualified to understand wagering markets and gambling regulation complexities.
As sports gambling continues its rapid expansion across America, with apps and online platforms becoming ubiquitous, Trump’s influence on gambling policy will remain significant. His administration’s decisions on taxation, regulation, and federal oversight will shape the market for years to come, affecting everything from sportsbook operations to betting transparency standards. Whether this leads to responsible gambling growth or enables the betting corruption he warned about remains one of the most important questions facing the sports industry in 2025 and beyond.