Higher Wager Requirement Implemented by ESPN Bet in Illinois Following Introduction of Per-Bet Tax
Minimum Betting Requirements Vary Among Illinois Sportsbooks
In response to the new betting tax implemented by the Illinois Gaming Board, sportsbooks in the state have adjusted their minimum betting requirements. As of August 2025, the minimum bets range from as low as $0.10 to a notable $10, depending on the operator.
bet365, following the implementation of the new tax, has maintained a minimum bet of $0.10, as per its House Rules. However, ESPN Bet has increased its minimum bet to $1 to offset the state's per-bet fee. Circa Sports, on the other hand, has introduced a significantly higher minimum bet of $10 in Illinois.
Several other sportsbooks, including Caesars, have yet to announce specific changes to minimum bets but have implemented or plan to implement per-wager fees to address the state's 25-cent tax per bet for the first 20 million wagers annually.
Other firms, including BetMGM, Hard Rock Bet, BetRivers, and ESPN Bet, have chosen to increase their minimum betting requirements. Meanwhile, some companies like DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics have decided to make users pay a fee of $0.25 or $0.50 per bet.
The Illinois Gaming Board expects fee income to be taxed, and it has reminded license holders not to mark pushed bets as void. Sports betting expert Geoff Zochodne pointed out that Illinois taxes apply to pushed bets as well.
As football season nears, ESPN Bet's choice to set a higher minimum instead of adding a fee could seem like a smaller change for customers. This strategy might give ESPN Bet an edge with customers who prefer clear and steady betting costs.
The new tax is expected to bring in about $36 million a year for the state. Caesars, bet365, and Circa Sports have not yet decided on their next steps in Illinois. PENN CEO Jay Snowden stated that ESPN Bet's interactive business will start making money in late 2025. ESPN Bet's parent company, PENN Entertainment, is expecting its online division to become profitable in late 2025 and continue into 2026.
According to research by Juice Reel, the average single bet in the US was $41 in June, while for parlay bets, the average was $19. Bookmakers in Illinois now pay $0.25 for each of their first 20 million wagers, and $0.50 for every bet after that.
The new tax came into effect on July 1, and sportsbooks are adjusting to the changes to ensure compliance while maintaining customer satisfaction.
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