DraftKings has chosen to shut down its retail sportsbook facility at Wrigley Field in Chicago, citing Illinois’ rising cost of operation and “high tax structure,” with the deadline to place in-person bets set for May 31.
The operator had originally debuted its land-based sportsbook facility during March 2024, representing the only venue attached to a sports stadium, arena or ballpark in Illinois.
Currently, FanDuel is associated with the Fairmount Park retail betting facility in Illinois, while DraftKings maintains its partnership with Casino Queen in East St. Louis.
“DraftKings has made the decision to discontinue onsite sportsbook operations at DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field following a review of our retail presence in Illinois,” the operator said in a released statement.
“While we are proud of what we have built alongside the Chicago Cubs, we are taking a more focused approach to where we invest in the state. The cost of operating in Illinois, including its high tax structure, makes it more difficult to justify continued investment in a standalone retail sportsbook.”
The retail facility will remain open as a sports bar at Wrigley Field, although no in-person wagers will be accepted following the May 31 deadline.
Illinois lawmakers chose to increase the tax rate for online and retail sports betting operators to as high as 40% in 2024, as well as introduce a $0.25 per wager tax the following year, which rises to $0.50 after the first 20 million bets accepted by a sportsbook.
In January, Chicago unveiled a new 10.25% tax on adjusted gross wagering receipts for bets placed online or at a retail sportsbook facility located within city limits, perhaps representing a final straw for the operator.
DraftKings recently reported its financial results for Q1 2026, as net revenue increased 16.8% to $1.6bn, while net income totaled $21.1m and grew from the $33.9m loss witnessed during the first quarter of 2025.
DraftKings launched its new horseracing feature, DraftKings Racing, in six additional US states ahead of the 2026 Kentucky Derby event on May 2, as well as introduced a $1m race promotion for users
