DraftKings to introduce per-bet transaction fee in Illinois from September
The decision follows similar action from FanDuel and comes in response to new legislation allowing operators to recoup increased tax burdens.
Key points:
– DraftKings to apply a $0.50 transaction fee per wager in Illinois from 1 September 2025
– The move follows FanDuel’s decision to introduce an identical fee from 1 July
– Operators are not required to pass on the cost but may do so at their discretion
DraftKings has announced it will introduce a 50-cent transaction fee on all mobile and online bets placed in Illinois starting 1 September 2025.
The move follows FanDuel’s announcement earlier this month that it would implement an identical charge starting 1 July, after the introduction of the Illinois Transaction Fee under House Bill 1928.
According to DraftKings, the new per-bet charge is intended to offset the financial impact of the tax hike. The company stated that if the legislation is repealed, it will remove the Illinois-specific transaction fee.
Jason Robins, DraftKings CEO and Co-Founder, commented: “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. 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.”
Good to know: DraftKings recently launched a responsible gaming campaign in partnership with UFC, promoting its RG tools through televised ads and social media across major fight events in 2025
The company maintains that it supports collaborative policymaking that ensures industry sustainability while contributing to state revenue and maintaining consumer protections. DraftKings has also pointed to its investments in responsible gaming as part of its broader regulatory engagement strategy.
Illinois is one of several US states that have revisited gambling taxation frameworks in recent years, prompting operators to reassess cost structures and product pricing.
DraftKings’ fee implementation marks one of the first instances of a regulated operator applying a per-wager charge in direct response to tax policy.
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