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Nevada lawmakers push to restore full gambling loss deduction after GOP blocks senate fix

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Nevada lawmakers push to restore full gambling loss deduction after GOP blocks senate fix


WASHINGTON (KOLO & AP) — Nevada lawmakers are ramping up efforts to restore a tax deduction they say is essential to protecting the state’s gaming industry—after Senate Republicans blocked an attempt to undo a provision buried in President Trump’s massive new budget law.

The change, set to take effect in 2026, limits gamblers to deducting only 90% of their losses against their winnings. Under current law, gamblers who itemize can deduct 100% of losses, dollar for dollar, up to the amount of their winnings.

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) tried to reverse the change on the Senate floor Thursday, requesting unanimous consent for a bill that would restore the full deduction. But Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) objected, stalling the measure and intensifying criticism from Cortez Masto and other Democrats.

“This makes no sense and it will do irreparable harm to our country’s gaming industry—especially in Nevada,” Cortez Masto said, warning the provision could drive events like the World Series of Poker offshore and into illegal markets.

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Though her effort failed, Cortez Masto reintroduced the measure in committee, where it has bipartisan support. Nevada Rep. Dina Titus (D) introduced a House version called the Fair Bet Act, also co-sponsored by Republican Rep. Mark Amodei.

“The Senate got us into this mess,” Titus said in a statement. “Now it’s time for both chambers to unite behind my bipartisan Fair Bet Act to ensure that average and high-stakes gamblers do not pay taxes on money they never won.”

A Hidden Provision with Big Consequences

The provision in question was part of the 900-page “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed into law by President Trump last week. It includes sweeping tax cuts and spending changes, many of which lawmakers admit they’re only now beginning to fully understand.

“This new amendment would end professional gambling in the U.S. and hurt casual gamblers too,” pro poker player Phil Galfond warned on social media ahead of the bill’s passage.

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Some lawmakers—including Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee—say they weren’t aware the gambling provision was in the bill until just days before the vote.

“Now I see Republican senators walking all over the Capitol saying they didn’t even know anything about this policy,” Wyden said. “When you rush a process like this and cram in policies you haven’t thought through, you risk serious consequences.”

The change could disproportionately impact professional gamblers and high-stakes players who itemize. For example, under the new law, someone who wins and loses $100,000 in the same year would still owe taxes on $10,000—despite breaking even.

Budget Tradeoffs and Political Gridlock

Republicans say the gambling deduction change was necessary to comply with reconciliation rules, allowing them to pass the legislation without Democratic support. It’s expected to raise $1.1 billion in tax revenue over eight years, according to the Congressional Budget Office, though the bill overall will add nearly $3.3 trillion to the deficit.

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Sen. Young said he supports the change but would only consider undoing it if Democrats agreed to other provisions in return. “I strongly support the underlying bill, but will have to object unless you can agree to my request,” he said on the Senate floor.

Despite the setback, Cortez Masto says she’s not giving up. “I’m disappointed, but I’m not done,” she said. “We’ll continue to work to try to get S2230 passed. It’s just common sense.”



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Nye County Sheriff urges caution after deadly month on rural Nevada roads

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Nye County Sheriff urges caution after deadly month on rural Nevada roads


A string of deadly crashes in and around Pahrump has prompted Nye County Sheriff Joe McGill to push for more safety measures along dark, sidewalk-free roads.

“The worst penalty is death, if you consider that,” McGill said.

The recent deaths include a single-vehicle rollover on State Route 160 during the morning hours of the last Wednesday in January that killed one person and injured another.

Then, into February, two pedestrians were killed in less than three days.

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The first was a 7 p.m. crash on Quarter Horse Avenue. Investigators believe a 2006 Jeep Liberty was driving on the street when it hit a pedestrian, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

A few days later, this last Saturday, state troopers responded to a crash just after sundown at Charleston Park Avenue. A sedan hit a pedestrian, who was also pronounced dead at the scene.

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Nevada State Police investigators are still investigating both pedestrian cases before more details are released.

McGill said the recent crashes were enough to spur action.

“When the third one came out, I was sitting at home and watching TV. I looked at my wife and I said, ‘We got to do something about this,’” McGill said.

McGill is responding with a reflective vest giveaway, pointing to limited infrastructure as a possible factor. He noted a lack of street lights off State Route 160 and no sidewalks inside the community.

“The only light that you have is the ambient light from houses and cars so it is really dark,” McGill said.

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John Treanor of AAA Nevada said poor visibility can quickly turn dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians.

“It is very easy to be confronted with a situation that you cannot see coming because the visibility might be bad,” Treanor said.

Treanor encouraged pedestrians to carry lights and drivers to be prepared if they end up outside their vehicles in dark conditions.

“Having lights on you. Even carrying a flashlight allows something where a driver can see it,” Treanor said. “If you are a driver, make sure you have the right stuff in your car, in case you do get in a situation where you are on the side of the road and now you are in dark. Make sure you have a kit with some reflectors, some lights. Anything the trunk of your car in case you need it.”

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McGill said vigilance is important even in daylight.

“Any time of the day, you have got to be vigilant. You have to keep aware of your surroundings if you are a walker or on a bicycle or if you are the driver,” he said.

Authorities also urged caution as more people may pull off roads in rocky areas along the route toward Death Valley National Park during springtime blooms, increasing the need for drivers and pedestrians to stay alert.

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Mansion on the Nevada Side of Lake Tahoe Swiftly Sells for $46 Million

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Mansion on the Nevada Side of Lake Tahoe Swiftly Sells for  Million


A waterfront mansion on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe just sold for $46 million, less than three weeks after hitting the market. 

The speedy deal marks a departure from the typical U.S. market.

Nationwide, homes took a median 78 days to land a buyer in January, five more than the same time last year and the 22nd straight month of homes taking longer to sell on a year-over-year basis, according to data from Realtor.com. 

Mansion Global Boutique: Book Lovers Rejoice: 8 Must-Haves To Build Your Perfect Reading Nook

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The lavish log cabin-like residence, in Incline Village, listed on Jan. 24 for $47.5 million. It sold 20 days later, on Feb. 13, listing records show. 

The more than 7,000-square-foot residence was built in 2014, and has double-height living spaces, walls of windows, beamed ceilings, fireplaces, and plenty of rustic exposed stone and wood, listing images show. 

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There’s also a gym, a wet bar, a spa, a wine room, an office, two separate game rooms, seven bedrooms and dramatic Lake Tahoe views. Outside, there’s a private sandy beach, multiple decks, a heated driveway and two exterior fireplaces, according to listing information. 

MORE: Visited by Kings and Larger Than Manhattan, Giant Scottish Estate Asks £67 Million

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The seller and the buyer are both limited liability companies, according to property records. Both parties were represented by Jeff Brown of Tahoe Mountain Realty, who declined to comment on the deal. 

The median home price in Incline Village was $1.595 million as of December, a fall of 3.3% from a year earlier, according to data from Realtor.com. Listings, meanwhile, spent an average of 130 days on the market. 



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Green Valley edges Liberty in Class 5A softball — PHOTOS

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Green Valley edges Liberty in Class 5A softball — PHOTOS