Overview
- DraftKings will stop taking in-person bets at its Wrigley Field venue, which will stay open as a bar, restaurant, and sports entertainment space.
- The company cited Illinois’ high operating costs and tax structure and said it will focus on serving customers through its mobile app.
- Illinois created a per-wager charge in 2025 that is $0.25 on the first 20 million bets each year and $0.50 after that, which led DraftKings and FanDuel to add a 50-cent fee to every bet.
- Chicago’s 2026 budget added a 10.25% city tax on sports betting revenue, and operators have filed a lawsuit challenging the tax and local licensing rules.
- Fans who once placed tickets at the two-level Wrigley space will now need to bet on their phones, while the venue that opened in 2023 with on-site betting added in March 2024 pivots to food, drinks, and watch parties.