Due to rising taxes on wagering in Illinois, DraftKings is shutting down its retail sportsbook at Wrigley Field. This location, though high-profile, represents a minor segment of its business. The company will continue online operations across Illinois, with the last day for in-person betting at Wrigley Field set for May 31.
In a statement, DraftKings explained, “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 statement added that although the venue will stay open, it will no longer offer in-person sports betting.
The retail sportsbook at Wrigley Field, launched in March 2024, is the only one in Illinois linked to a sports venue. FanDuel and DraftKings lead the state in revenue, primarily from online betting. Despite the shutdown, DraftKings will keep the venue open as a sports bar, influenced by recent increased city and state taxes.
The company stated, “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.” In 2024, Illinois increased taxes to up to 40% for larger sports betting platforms, based on adjusted gross wagering revenue. Last year, the state introduced a per-wager tax, which increases after surpassing 20 million bets annually.
A 10.25% tax was introduced by Chicago in January on sports wagering receipts, impacting DraftKings’ operations at Wrigley Field. DraftKings initiated its partnership with the Cubs in 2020 and secured approval to offer sports betting at the stadium. Although the sportsbook will close, the venue will continue under the DraftKings banner as a sports bar with large screens, seating, and a variety of menu options.
The Cubs plan to maintain the location as a DraftKings sports bar, with future plans to connect it directly to the stadium. “DraftKings bar and restaurant will remain open on both game and non-gamedays, offering an elevated sports bar environment for Wrigleyville visitors year-round,” said Cubs spokesperson Jennifer Martinez. The aim is to integrate the bar with the ballpark concourse by season’s end.
DraftKings will continue as the official sports betting and fantasy partner of the Cubs, according to Martinez. The last betting day at the Wrigley Field location is May 31, with open bets redeemable through June 30. Customers can also redeem bets by mail.
As part of the transition, a “small number of employees dedicated to the retail sportsbook operation” will be laid off, DraftKings stated. The Illinois sports betting industry has been growing since it began with Rivers Casino in March 2020. Currently, there are 15 sportsbooks in the state. However, this number will drop to 14 with the closure at Wrigley Field.
Illinois ranked second in sports wagering revenue among 39 states, generating nearly $1.48 billion last year, according to the American Gaming Association. Online betting made up 98% of this revenue. FanDuel led the market with over $552 million, followed by DraftKings with $500 million. In-person betting at Wrigley Field contributed $899,000 in 2025, a tiny fraction of DraftKings’ total Illinois revenue.
DraftKings reiterated, “We remain committed to serving our mobile sportsbook customers.”