FanDuel waiving $0.50 per bet surcharge in Illinois through June 19

FanDuel has chosen to waive the $0.50 per wager surcharge it currently enforces upon Illinois residents through June 19, originally brought forth to counteract the state’s own $0.50 per bet surcharge for operators which accept over 20 million bets per year. 

While the Flutter Entertainment-operated entity has yet to provide reasoning for its decision to conclude the surcharge until June, it did issue an email to all active users in Illinois. 

The move comes after Senator Daniel Didech introduced new legislation which would repeal the per wager tax enforced against mobile betting operators since September 2025.

House Bill 5143 was re-referred to the House Rules Committee on March 27, and will need to advance to the state Senate by April 17 in order to pass this year. 

FanDuel submitted over $32.8m to the state between July 2025 and January 2026 as a result of the wager surcharge, increasing its effective state tax rate to 44.2%. 

FanDuel also chose to shut down the operations of its peer-to-peer fantasy sports product FanDuel Picks on March 27, with account access and the ability to withdraw funds officially concluding on May 29.

The operator launched FanDuel Picks during August 2025, allowing users to select between three and six players, "more" or "less" on their projected stat lines and set contest entry amounts.

FanDuel confirmed the last contests run by the peer-to-peer fantasy sports product will become available on April 23, while paid FanDuel Picks entries which are currently live or still to be decided will play out “as scheduled” and settle in normal fashion.

FanDuel TV operations will also be phased out by the end of 2027, as confirmed to Global Gaming Insider, resulting in the elimination of over 100 jobs as the entity continues directing investments toward areas “most critical” to its long-term roadmap and core businesses.