BetRivers Raises Minimal Stake In Illinois Once more As Chicago Tax Hits Esports Bettors

BetRivers has once more raised the minimal betting stake in Illinois as the corporate responds to a brand new Chicago metropolis tax on playing. Residents within the state are dealing with mounting charges and having to put increased stakes as lawmakers look to money in on the recognition of sports activities betting. 

Rush Road Interactive (RSI), the corporate behind the playing platform BetRivers, confirmed bettors should stake a minimum of $5 in Illinois, a rise from the $1 minimal stake the corporate launched final 12 months. 

The newest enhance comes as operators are hit with a brand new metropolis tax in Chicago. The town is now charging firms an extra 10.25% tax on income generated from accepting bets from residents of the Windy Metropolis. 

Along with its on-line operations, BetRivers operates one retail sportsbook in Illinois, on the Rivers On line casino in Des Plaines. 

The corporate provides betting markets on a variety of widespread esports titles, together with League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike, and Valorant. 

Chicago Tax Energetic Regardless of Challenges

Lawmakers have launched laws to dam the Chicago metropolis tax, however the invoice has but to progress past an preliminary referral to the Home’s Guidelines Committee. 

The Sports activities Betting Alliance (SBA), a bunch of betting firms, which doesn’t embrace RSI, has additionally filed a lawsuit in opposition to town over the tax. 

Along with paying the extra taxes, firms should additionally receive licenses to proceed their operations. The town granted last-minute licenses to firms, permitting them to function legally underneath the brand new laws that took impact on January 1. 

Because of town granting its members a license, the SBA withdrew its request for an instantaneous injunction in opposition to the brand new laws. Nevertheless, the group is continuing with the lawsuit in an try to repeal the measures. 

Greater Stakes Or Betting Charges As State Taxes Playing

BetRivers first launched a minimal stake of $1 after Illinois carried out a per-bet charge for operators. Corporations now should pay $0.25 for each wager they settle for within the state, with bigger operators who settle for greater than 20 million bets per 12 months charged $0.50. 

In response, operators both charged customers straight for putting bets or raised the minimal stake. BetRivers’ $1 minimal was on the low finish of the spectrum, with Circa Sports activities introducing a $10 minimal. 

Exhausting Rock Wager now has a $2 minimal, and BetMGM has a $2.50 minimal. FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, and Fanatics all selected to cost gamblers a charge of $0.50 or $0.25 for putting bets. 

State Advantages As Informal Bettors Lose Out

These charges could have delay many small-stakes esports bettors. The state reported that betting quantity decreased following the implementation of the per-bet tax in September. Nevertheless, total betting deal with elevated, and the state has benefited from gathering extra tax income. 

In October, Illinois set a brand new file of $1.6 billion in wagers positioned, surpassing the earlier file of $1.53 billion set in November 2024. Income additionally elevated, reaching $135 million.

This led to the state producing $41.5 million in tax income, with $14.7 million of that coming from the betting surcharge. Total, tax income elevated 70% in comparison with October 2024.

Chicago Metropolis Mayor Brandon Johnson included the extra tax in his 2026 finances plan, launched in October. 

Projections estimate it may generate $26 million per 12 months for town, contributing to a finances shortfall of $1.15 billion.