FanDuel Sportsbook has raised eyebrows in Illinois after announcing that it was waiving its per-bet surcharge on all sports wagering in the state. The move is a temporary measure, with fees being eliminated through June 19.
“Feel the Waive!” FanDuel
announced to Illinois sports bettors
on its web page. “All Sportsbook bets placed in Illinois are fee-free between now and June 19.”
FanDuel did not explain this move, and that is what has led to the raised eyebrows. None of the other nine sports betting sites in Illinois is removing their per-bet surcharge.
The FanDuel decision is leading to speculation that FanDuel feels fairly certain that legislation put forward by Illinois State Rep. Daniel Didech to repeal the state wager tax imposed last year is gaining traction and will be approved by the Illinois General Assembly.
Didech’s legislation, House Bill 5143 (HB 5143), was referred to the House Rules Committee on March 27. The Illinois General Assembly has a deadline of April 17 for House bills to cross over to the Senate so that they may be considered for passage this year.
Didech serves as chairman of the Illinois House Gaming Committee. He’s also a former professional poker player.
Data compiled by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) displayed a 15% decline in sports betting following the implementation of the state’s per-bet tax. In 2024, Illinois ranked second only to New York in sports betting handle. However, IGB research showed that there were more than six million fewer sports bets placed in Illinois in November 2025 than were placed during the same month in the previous year.
Illinois enacted its wagering tax on sports betting last summer
Illinois introduced new sports betting tax laws last spring as part of the state budget. The state added a per-bet tax. The tax was set at 25 cents on every wager up to and including the first 20 million wagers. After that barrier was crossed, the tax rate increased to 50 cents per wager.
Within days of this ruling, FanDuel introduced its 50-cent per bet fee. Rival sportsbook DraftKings soon followed suit, also introducing a 50-cent per bet tax.
Further complicating matters is the fact that the City of Chicago implemented its own 10.25% tax on sports bets placed within city limits beginning in 2026.
FanDuel and DraftKings account for 75% of all sports betting action in Illinois. FanDuel has been paying the higher rate of tax since September. Both sportsbooks saw their tax rate in Illinois increase from 15% to 40%.
“Should the state reverse its decision at any point in the future, FanDuel will immediately remove the $0.50 transaction fee,” FanDuel said in a statement at the time.
That’s why this recent decision by FanDuel has people in the industry wondering if a change in Illinois sports betting taxation is on the horizon, and the per-bet tax is going to be repealed.
If Didech’s bill is passed into law, it would eliminate the per-bet tax as of July 1, 2026.
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