UFC President Dana White said he loves to gamble almost every night. He’s won and lost millions of dollars in Las Vegas and elsewhere, often at the blackjack tables. He has gambling debt, according to several reports.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, a Netflix production crew has been following him around for an unscripted project about his gambling. Netflix hasn’t officially announced the project.
White has often referred to himself as a “degenerate” — a widely discredited term that brings shame to people with gambling addiction. His honesty can feel refreshing, but he uses problematic language when discussing it publicly.
Apparently, White can afford his gambling habit. He’s worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and he’s friends with casino owners. He’s also a good friend of the sitting president, who will host a UFC White House card in 2026.
White can still suffer gambling harm — but he’s not going to be homeless, without work, or in jail, like some people who have hit rock bottom after a gambling addiction.
Dana White Gambling Losses
According to THR, White was in debt about $30 million from gambling as of November 2025. Will he repay the money? Who knows. Who cares? Nevada gambling regulators might.
The Netflix series or documentary about White could glamorize his gambling. It appears unlikely that White — if you have followed him at all over the years — will be seeking professional help in a Netflix series.
The project probably won’t be critical of White in a way that makes him uncomfortable. After all, he has been an executive producer of Netflix’s boxing content. He’s a business partner of the company.
This is not to say White needs professional help. We can’t ethically make that assumption for him as an outside observer. Nonetheless, most people who gamble every night and have racked up gambling debt should consider seeking help.
So, it appears we will be getting Netflix content about a Las Vegas “whale” who is sometimes honest about his gambling habit. “The sickness is real,” White has joked.
According to THR, White could be the most prolific gambler in Las Vegas, even surpassing rumors around Bruno Mars.
Dana White’s Blackjack Binges: The Bigger Picture
As online gambling addiction soars in the U.S., it appears doubtful that this project will do any favors for anyone in the fight to reduce gambling harm. The project could be triggering for people with active addictions or in recovery.
What would be more helpful is a series about the dangers of gambling featuring White.
Of course, that doesn’t make for viral Netflix content, but perhaps the series or documentary will conclude with a positive message.
The Netflix project comes as attitudes towards sports betting, in particular, have dramatically shifted in the U.S. According to a Pew Research Center survey this fall, nearly half of men under the age of 30 think sports betting is “bad for society.”
That’s up from 22% just three years prior.
Netflix should consider these statistics before creating a potentially tone-deaf project.
Dana White Gambling FAQ
Why Does Dana White Gamble?
He obviously doesn’t need the money, so why does White gamble so much? Researchers into compulsive gambling have demonstrated that for some people, the thrill of winning, and even losing, is more important than the money.
Gambling can produce high levels of dopamine in the brain, leading to pleasant feelings while gambling.
In videos, we can see White having a good time with friends while gambling. However, sometimes he looks miserable. Whether it’s a positive or negative feeling, gambling can create a reward system in the brain.
White loves to tell stories of his massive wins, so there’s also a prestige and reputational benefit for him. Fortunately for White, he can afford his heavy losses.
What Kind of Gambling Does Dana White Do?
Dana White plays blackjack, baccarat, and poker. He also sometimes bets on sports.
There is no evidence of White ever playing a slot machine.
Is Dana White a Professional Gambler?
No, White is the president of the UFC and made his fortune in the sport of MMA. He has never made a living from gambling.
He has won and lost millions of dollars playing cards in Las Vegas, but that doesn’t mean he’s a professional gambler. A so-called professional gambler is largely a myth, as you can’t win money in a casino over the long run. The house always wins.
The only casino game where it’s possible, though still incredibly unlikely, to win in the long run is poker.
Is Dana White Addicted to Gambling?
By his own admission, Dana White appears to be addicted to gambling. He also meets many of the classic signs of addiction, such as having debt from gambling, a preoccupation with gambling, and mood swings from gambling.
However, he has never revealed an official disordered gambling diagnosis. We can’t say for sure whether he has an addiction, as only a trained medical professional can make the diagnosis.
Nonetheless, you should not use White as a role model for your gambling.
Image by Glaucia from Pixabay.
Discover more from GamblingHarm.org
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
