DraftKings closes Wrigley Field sportsbook over Illinois costs

DraftKings closed its retail sportsbook at Wrigley Field in Wrigleyville on Monday, saying Illinois’ tax and operating costs made the standalone venue unprofitable. The outlet opened in March 2024 at the northwest corner of Addison Street and Sheffield Avenue.

In a statement, DraftKings wrote: “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. We remain committed to serving our mobile sportsbook customers.”

The Wrigleyville location generated roughly $17 million in reported handle since opening, ranking 13th of 15 retail sportsbooks in Illinois. Foot traffic at kiosks and ticket windows was limited, and legal sports betting is widely available on mobile phones across the state. DraftKings operated the space under Northside Crown Gaming LLC.

Illinois applies a progressive tax on gambling revenue of 20% to 40%, a per-wager fee of $0.25 on the first 20 million bets and $0.50 on wagers beyond that, and the city of Chicago adds a 10.25% tax on net revenue. Those levies can push an operator’s effective tax burden to roughly half of gross revenue.

Retail sportsbooks at arenas and ballparks have closed or been repurposed in several U.S. markets as many bettors prefer mobile apps and non-bettors do not spend event time in separate betting rooms. A Fanatics-operated sportsbook at Progressive Field in Cleveland closed in 2025 after losing $226,000 and accepting about $19,018 in bets that year; that space was later converted to a retail store. Other operators relocated or converted former sportsbook spaces in Cincinnati and Phoenix.

DraftKings said it will concentrate investment on other locations in Illinois and continue serving customers through its mobile sportsbook while it evaluates future retail opportunities.