DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field to Close This Month
Wrigley Field’s DraftKings Sportsbook in Chicago is set to close at the end of May, the online betting giant has announced.
The retail sportsbook will take its last bet on May 31 after two years of operation. DraftKings cited high taxes as one of the reasons for the closure.
Despite the shutdown, DraftKings Sportsbook will continue offering mobile and online betting in Illinois. DraftKings will also remain the official sports betting and daily fantasy partner of the Chicago Cubs.
At a Glance:
- DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field in Illinois to shut after two years
- Illinois has increased gambling taxes, heaping pressure on sportsbooks
- DraftKings claims the retail sportsbook is now unprofitable
- Chicago added a 10.25% tax on net revenue for sportsbooks
- DraftKings remains one of the biggest sportsbook operators in the U.S.
Illinois’ sportsbook-friendly approach hits retail
DraftKings opened its retail sportsbook-and-bar at the home of the Chicago Cubs in 2024. While the sportsbook area of the venue will close, the bar and restaurant will remain open.
However, in a state where online and mobile betting is already legal, retail sites were struggling.
Illinois legalized retail sportsbooks and online sports betting sites simultaneously in 2019. Unlike some states that have only retail sports betting, such as Montana, residents in Illinois can bet anywhere.
‘High tax structures’ the key reason for exit strategy
Additionally, Illinois has steadily introduced heftier taxes on sportsbook operators.
The gambling tax on sports betting was increased to 40% two years ago. An additional per-wager tax was brought in a year later. Earlier this year, a 10.25% tax was introduced on sportsbooks based in Chicago.
“The cost of operating in Illinois, including its high tax structure, makes it more difficult to justify continued investment in a standalone retail sportsbook,” DraftKings said in a statement.
Despite the hit, DraftKings maintains its grip as America's biggest online betting site. DraftKings operates online sportsbooks and online casinos in multiple states.
The sportsbook is also expanding its prediction market platform to keep up with Polymarket and Kalshi.
DraftKings shutdown a warning sign for other retail sportsbooks
The freedom sports bettors in Illinois have is one of the issues that spelled Wrigley Field’s downfall.
Gamblers in Illinois have wide access to mobile and online betting platforms. Many gamblers prefer the freedom of betting on their smartphones, rather than visiting an in-person sportsbook.
Ultimately, Illinois may have been better off imposing a mobile-only option for in-person betting at sports grounds.
Additionally, DraftKings’ sportsbook at Wrigley Field was a relatively low earner, just hitting the $17 million mark in bets taken.
US retail sportsbooks: the big closures
Wrigley Field’s sportsbook isn’t the only one to close in recent years. Teams thinking about partnerships with online sportsbooks may want to scan the list of closures before jumping in:
- Phoenix Suns: FanDuel Sportsbook closed its retail betting venue in July 2025, converting to the non-betting FanDuel Lounge.
- Cleveland Guardians: Fanatics Sportsbook also closed in 2025, just two years after opening at Progressive Field. A lack of interest in retail betting was cited.
- Washington Nationals: BetMGM shut its 4,000-square-foot MLB retail sportsbook after three years. It was the first retail sportsbook built at an MLB stadium.
