DraftKings to Introduce 50-Cent Fee on Illinois Bets in Response to Tax Rise

DraftKings has confirmed that it will introduce a 50-cent transaction fee on all mobile and online bets placed in Illinois from 1 September 2025.

The decision comes shortly after rival operator FanDuel announced a similar charge earlier this month, due to take effect from 1 July, following the introduction of the Illinois Transaction Fee under House Bill 1928.

DraftKings said the new fee is designed to help absorb the financial impact of the state’s recent tax increase. The company added that the Illinois-specific fee would be removed should the legislation be repealed.

Jason Robins, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of DraftKings, said:

“We are disappointed that Illinois policymakers have chosen to more than triple our tax rate over the past two years and we are very concerned about what this will do to the legal, regulated industry.

Meanwhile, Illinois continues to fuel the rapidly growing illegal industry, which pays no taxes or fees and provides none of the consumer protections that regulated operators offer.”

The operator reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with lawmakers to support sustainable regulation—emphasising the need to balance state revenue generation with industry viability and consumer protection.

DraftKings also highlighted its continued investment in responsible gambling initiatives as part of its wider regulatory approach.

Illinois joins a growing number of US states revisiting gambling tax policy, prompting licensed operators to re-evaluate pricing and operational strategies. DraftKings' move is among the first examples of a regulated operator introducing a per-bet fee in direct response to new tax legislation.