DraftKings said it will charge customers 50 cents on each Illinois bet from 1 September, following a new per-bet tax. The company said it would remove the surcharge if the legislation is repealed; the tax is 25 cents per bet for the first 20 million bets and 50 cents thereafter.
The surcharge passes the new Illinois per-bet tax cost to customers, affecting operator pricing and betting transactions.
Quarter ended 30 September 2026
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Illinois casinos generated September revenue of $178.2m, a year-on-year increase of 12.7%, citing IGB figures. Slots contributed $134.6m, rising 12.4%, while table games brought in $43.6m, increasing 13.8%. Rivers Casino recorded the largest revenue total at $44.1m.
Illinois recorded 15% fewer sports bets in September, with five million fewer wagers, according to figures attributed to the Illinois Gaming Board. Bettors wagered $1.4bn, while sportsbook revenue fell to $103m from $131m a year earlier; the levy generated $10.6m in receipts. Sports Betting Alliance of Illinois spokesperson Maura Possley said the tax increase was driving players away from regulated betting.
Reportedly, Illinois' 17 land-based casinos generated $178.2m in September revenue. Revenue increased by 13%.
Illinois lawmakers approved a tax of 25 cents on each of the first 20 million online sports bets placed annually, rising to 50 cents per additional wager, according to the report. The measure is part of the state’s fiscal 2025 budget and is due to take effect on 1 July, pending the governor’s signature, which he has promised. The Sports Betting Alliance opposed the tax; Citizens JMP analysts estimate it could reduce FanDuel and DraftKings’ combined adjusted EBITDA by $80 million in 2026.
DraftKings lowered its full-year 2026 revenue guidance to $6.35 billion-$6.55 billion, from $6.5 billion-$6.9 billion previously, and reported a third-quarter adjusted EBITDA loss of $317 million. The company said more than 1.6 million customers had used its predictions offering year-to-date and expected 2026 predictions investment of at least $650 million; its shares fell about 22% in Thursday after-hours trading after the results.