As President-elect Donald Trump assembles his cabinet and fills key government roles, one appointment stands out: Billy Long, a seasoned poker player, is set to lead the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) after Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025.
Billy Long’s Poker Connection
Long, a former U.S. Congressman from Missouri, is well-known for his love of poker. While his live tournament earnings are modest, around $6,000 according to The Hendon Mob, he is a regular at local cash games and has participated in World Poker Tour (WPT) events since leaving Congress in 2022.
Trump praised Long’s diverse experience, writing on Truth Social, “Billy brings 32 years of experience running his own businesses in real estate and as one of the premier auctioneers in the country. He served 12 years in Congress, where he ‘felt it was important for his constituents to have a representative who has signed the front of a check.'”
Long, who worked as an auctioneer before his congressional tenure, will step into the role of IRS Commissioner, a position currently held by Danny Werfel. As commissioner, Long will guide IRS policy, overseeing its programs and performance.
Will Long Be Lenient on Gambling Taxes?
Political experts predict that Trump’s administration will scale back funding for the IRS, reversing some of the tax enforcement efforts made under President Biden. However, it remains to be seen whether Long’s personal interest in poker will influence his stance on gambling taxes. The IRS Commissioner’s responsibilities include directing the agency’s auditing policies, which could have significant implications for the gambling industry.
Long’s connection to poker has already sparked debate. In 2019, during Trump’s impeachment proceedings, Long gained viral attention when a Reddit user noticed a large wad of cash in his pocket—perhaps the aftermath of a successful poker session.
A Controversial Fundraiser
Long’s poker passion has at times drawn criticism from political opponents. In 2015, he hosted a $1,000-per-person poker night fundraiser, a move that upset some Democrats. One blogger at the time noted that Long “seems to spend as much time in Las Vegas as he does in Springfield (MO) or Washington, D.C.”
Another Trump Pick with Poker Ties
Billy Long isn’t the only Trump appointee with a connection to poker. Frank Bisignano, selected to head the Social Security Administration, participated in a 2020 virtual charity poker tournament hosted by New York City’s Mount Sinai Health System. The event raised $1.4 million for frontline workers and featured celebrities like Jason Alexander, Bryan Cranston, and Cheryl Hines, wife of Trump’s health secretary pick Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
As Trump’s IRS Commissioner, Long will likely bring a fresh approach to tax policy, but his long-standing love for poker could make his tenure a unique chapter in the agency’s history.
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