BetRivers Raises Minimum Stake In Illinois Again 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 going through mounting charges and having to position increased stakes as lawmakers look to money in on the recognition of sports activities betting. 

Rush Avenue Interactive (RSI), the corporate behind the playing platform BetRivers, confirmed bettors should stake not less than $5 in Illinois, a rise from the $1 minimal stake the corporate launched final yr. 

The most recent improve comes as operators are hit with a brand new metropolis tax in Chicago. The town is now charging corporations 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 gives betting markets on a variety of fashionable 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 gaggle of betting corporations, which doesn’t embody RSI, has additionally filed a lawsuit towards the town over the tax. 

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

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

Larger Stakes Or Betting Charges As State Taxes Playing

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

In response, operators both charged customers immediately 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. 

Onerous 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 might have delay many small-stakes esports bettors. The state reported that betting quantity decreased following the implementation of the per-bet tax in September. Nonetheless, general betting deal with elevated, and the state has benefited from amassing extra tax income. 

In October, Illinois set a brand new report of $1.6 billion in wagers positioned, surpassing the earlier report 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. General, 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 might generate $26 million per yr for the town, contributing to a finances shortfall of $1.15 billion.