Chicago-based sports bettors will soon lose access to in-person wagering at Wrigley Field after DraftKings announced plans to shut down its retail sportsbook operation at the stadium-adjacent venue.

The company said betting operations at the Wrigleyville location will end May 31, though the business itself will continue operating as a sports bar and restaurant near the corner of Addison Street and Sheffield Avenue. DraftKings stated that the decision followed a review of its retail business in Illinois and pointed to rising state and local taxes tied to sports wagering.

“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 cited by Chicago Tribune. “The venue itself will remain open, but in-person sports betting will no longer be offered at the location.”

Illinois Tax Changes Impact Sportsbook Operators

The closure marks the end of one of the most visible retail sportsbooks in Illinois. The Wrigley Field sportsbook opened in March 2024 after years of planning between DraftKings and the Chicago Cubs. The partnership itself began in 2020 and required approvals from city and state officials as well as the National Park Service before sports betting could launch at the historic ballpark.

DraftKings said Illinois’ evolving tax structure played a major role in the decision. “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 company said. “The cost of operating in Illinois, including its high tax structure, makes it more difficult to justify continued investment in a standalone retail sportsbook.”

Illinois originally legalized sports betting in 2019 with a flat 15% tax rate on sportsbook revenue. Since then, lawmakers have expanded the tax burden significantly. Current state tax rates now range between 20% and 40% depending on sportsbook revenue levels.

The state also introduced a per-bet tax structure in 2024. Sportsbooks now pay 25 cents on each wager up to 20 million bets annually and 50 cents for every additional wager beyond that threshold. DraftKings and competitor FanDuel previously responded by adding a 50-cent surcharge on wagers placed in Illinois.

The City of Chicago also approved an additional sports betting tax last year. Under the 2026 city budget adopted by the City Council, operators face a 10.25% tax on adjusted gross receipts from bets placed within city limits. Sports betting companies challenged Chicago’s tax and licensing rules in court after initially seeking to block the measures.

Venue to Continue as Sports Bar and Restaurant

Although wagering windows will close, the Wrigley Field location will remain active as a year-round entertainment destination. The space features large video displays, restaurant seating, and food offerings for game-day visitors and neighborhood customers.

Cubs spokesperson Jennifer Martinez said the organization still plans to integrate the venue more closely with the ballpark later this season. “DraftKings bar and restaurant will remain open on both game and non-gamedays, offering an elevated sports bar environment for Wrigleyville visitors year-round,” Martinez said in a statement. “Later this season, we expect to create a seamless flow between the bar and the ballpark concourse, making the space a great gameday option for Cubs ticketholders.”

The Cubs added that DraftKings will remain the team’s official sports betting and daily fantasy partner.

The closure will also affect staffing at the location. DraftKings confirmed that a small group of employees tied specifically to the sportsbook operation will lose their jobs. Another report estimated that about two dozen positions could be eliminated as part of the transition.

Parker Winslow, senior manager of corporate communications at DraftKings, said high taxes create broader challenges for legal sportsbooks. “It [high taxes] does pose a challenge in having to pass it on to consumers,” Winslow said. “Having to pass that cost onto consumers generally makes the legal industry less appealing and sends customers to illegal markets.”

Customers with active wagers placed at the Wrigley location will still be able to redeem tickets there through June 30, according to DraftKings. Mail redemption options will also remain available.

Illinois Sports Betting Market Continues to Grow

The closure comes despite continued growth in Illinois’ broader sports betting market. Illinois launched its first sportsbook in March 2020 at Rivers Casino shortly before pandemic-related shutdowns temporarily interrupted operations. The state currently has 15 sportsbooks, though that number will drop to 14 after the Wrigley Field sportsbook closes. A new retail-only sportsbook opened earlier this year at Wind Creek Chicago Southland.

Illinois ranked second nationwide behind New York in sports wagering revenue last year, according to data cited from the American Gaming Association. Sportsbooks in Illinois generated nearly $1.48 billion in revenue in 2024.

Online betting accounted for approximately 98% of that revenue, underscoring the limited financial contribution of retail sportsbooks. According to Illinois Gaming Board figures cited in reports, FanDuel generated more than $552 million in revenue in Illinois last year, while DraftKings produced about $500 million.

The Wrigley Field retail sportsbook represented only a small portion of DraftKings’ overall Illinois business. In-person wagering at the venue produced $899,000 in adjusted gross receipts during 2025. DraftKings said it will continue focusing on online betting operations throughout Illinois.