DraftKings Joins FanDuel in Adding Fee to Illinois Wagers

Illinois sports bettors will soon notice a new charge when placing their bets on DraftKings. After first still considering possible moves, the operator will now adjust its pricing due to a change in state tax policy.

Good to know

• DraftKings will start charging a $0.50 fee per online or mobile wager in Illinois starting September 1, 2025.
• The new fee matches FanDuel’s decision in response to Illinois’ increased tax burden.
• DraftKings has confirmed it will cancel the fee if lawmakers repeal the updated wagering tax law.

Illinois lawmakers recently passed House Bill 1928, which imposes a tiered transaction tax on sportsbooks operating in the state. Under the new structure, each bet will carry a $0.25 tax for the first 20 million wagers and a $0.50 tax after that threshold. In response, DraftKings has decided to directly pass this cost onto users.

The change mirrors a similar move made by FanDuel, which also plans to add the same per-bet fee beginning this fall. Both operators point to rising expenses from state policies that continue to tighten financial conditions for licensed sportsbooks.

DraftKings CEO Jason Robins addressed the situation by stressing the operator’s history in Illinois: “Illinois has been an important part of our growth, and we’re proud to have contributed meaningfully to the state through tax revenue, job creation and a sustained investment in responsible gaming tools and resources.”

However, Robins made it clear the company is frustrated by the tax increase. “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,” he added. “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.”

According to DraftKings, the $0.50 fee will remain in place unless lawmakers reverse course and scrap the wagering tax increase. The operator said the fee could be eliminated “immediately” if the state repeals the new policy.

Although the fee may appear small, it introduces a new layer of cost for frequent bettors. Operators argue that instead of helping the legal market, the higher tax burden could weaken it—especially if consumers turn to unregulated platforms that offer better odds and fewer fees.

DraftKings stated that it supports long-term solutions through “collaborative policymaking” and called for regulatory stability to keep the industry competitive and sustainable.