Betting Down Due To Illinois Tax on Sportsbooks

A recent report reveals that Illinois saw five million fewer sports wagers placed during the past year, marking a 15 percent decline in betting activity. The slowdown follows the introduction of a state tax last September, charging 25 cents on the first 20 million wagers at sportsbooks. In response, major platforms FanDuel and DraftKings doubled down on fees, passing a 50-cent charge directly to players. Analysts suggest this shift in cost onto consumers has directly impacted betting volume, with many Illinoisans choosing to place fewer bets as a result of the added financial hurdle.