Rusty Weiss
DraftKings announced it will shut down in-person sports betting at its high-profile Wrigley Field location effective May 31st, ending operations after just two years.
The Boston-based company mentioned Illinois’ challenging business environment, particularly the state’s high tax structure, as the chief reason for the decision.
“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 company said in a statement to the Chicago Tribune. “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,” they added. “The cost of operating in Illinois, including its high tax structure, makes it more difficult to justify continued investment in a standalone retail sportsbook.”
JUST IN: DraftKings is SHUTTING DOWN its sportsbook operation at Wrigley Field after just two years.
— Marcus Leshock (@marcusleshock) May 18, 2026
The company says increased Illinois wagering taxes are to blame for the closure. In a statement published by the @ChicagoTribune, DraftKings said:
“DraftKings has made the… pic.twitter.com/EkpgUSdsiZ
Why DraftKings Is Leaving the Wrigley Field Sportsbook
The venue, which opened in March 2024 as part of a long-term partnership with the Chicago Cubs, sits at the northwest corner of Addison Street and Sheffield Avenue, adjacent to the historic ballpark.
Illinois imposes some of the nation’s steepest sports betting taxes, including rates between 20% and 40% on revenue, plus per-wager fees on online bets that took effect in July 2025. These measures, combined with Chicago’s additional 10.25% city tax on wagers, have created one of the most burdensome environments for operators nationwide.
The physical space at Wrigley will not go dark. DraftKings plans to keep the restaurant, bar, and sports entertainment establishment open, permitting fans to continue enjoying the venue on game days. But they won’t be able to bet on games in-person.
Customers with open bets placed at the location will still be able to redeem them there through June 30. The company insists that it remains committed to serving Prairie State customers through its mobile platform. Sports betting experts note that while retail locations like this one have symbolic value near iconic venues, many operators are shifting resources toward more profitable digital channels due to rising costs.
The closure highlights tensions in Illinois between aggressive taxation of the sports gambling industry and operators’ willingness to maintain physical retail locations. While mobile betting keeps flourishing statewide, the exit from this iconic Wrigley Field spot marks another example of how high costs are affecting the industry’s footprint in the state.
The decision could prompt further pullbacks by other sportsbooks in high-tax markets, potentially reducing the local economic benefits of on-site gambling.
