DraftKings has announced that after two years, it will be shutting down its Wrigley Field retail sportsbook in Chicago on May 31, 2026. DraftKings had opened the venue back in June 2023 and officially launched in-person betting on March 15, 2024, but has now decided to close it down as a result of reviewing its
DraftKings has announced that after two years, it will be shutting down its Wrigley Field retail sportsbook in Chicago on May 31, 2026.
DraftKings had opened the venue back in June 2023 and officially launched in-person betting on March 15, 2024, but has now decided to close it down as a result of reviewing its strategy in the state and taking into consideration the impact of tax rates on its operations.
DraftKings shared in a statement:
“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 venue itself will remain open, but in-person sports betting will no longer be offered at the location. 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.”
The operator will still be offering its product in an online format, while the restaurant, bar, and sports entertainment venues will remain open at the Wrigley Field location.
For context, Illinois increased gambling taxes to 40% in 2024, then added a per-bet tax of 25 cents in 2025, and most recently, in January 2026, Chicago added a 10.25% tax on adjusted gross sports betting receipts.