Key Takeaways
- The DraftKings retail betting location adjacent to Wrigley Field in Chicago is shutting down less than a year after its March 2024 launch
- With only $17 million in total wagers processed, the venue ranked near the bottom among Illinois retail betting establishments
- Illinois imposes one of the nation’s steepest gambling tax burdens, with combined rates approaching 50% for operators
- Similar venue-based sportsbooks nationwide have closed in recent years, from Phoenix and Cleveland to Cincinnati
- Sports fans attending games overwhelmingly choose mobile betting apps over visiting physical sportsbook locations
DraftKings revealed this week that it’s shutting down its Wrigley Field betting establishment in Chicago. The facility, which launched less than a year ago in March 2024, failed to attract sufficient customer traffic.
The Chicago Tribune broke the story Monday. The facility occupied a corner location at Addison Street and Sheffield Avenue in the Wrigleyville district surrounding the historic baseball stadium.
Rather than a traditional sportsbook, DraftKings designed the space as a sports bar featuring multiple screens, dining options, and several self-service betting terminals. However, these betting stations saw minimal use, primarily because Illinois permits statewide mobile sports betting through smartphone applications.
Throughout its brief operation, the establishment processed approximately $17 million in total wagers. This performance landed it in 13th place among the state’s 15 brick-and-mortar betting facilities.
Heavy State Taxation Made Operations Financially Untenable
Illinois presents one of the most challenging regulatory environments for gambling operators in America. State law establishes a tiered tax structure ranging from 20% to 40% based on revenue levels.
Additionally, operators must pay per-bet fees: 25 cents for the initial 20 million wagers annually, then 50 cents per bet thereafter. Chicago layers on another 10.25% municipal tax on net proceeds, bringing the combined effective rate to approximately half of all revenue.
In an official statement, DraftKings acknowledged that Illinois’ operational expenses made continuing a standalone retail betting venue economically impractical. The company emphasized its ongoing dedication to mobile customers throughout Illinois.
The facility operated through Northside Crown Gaming LLC, established in collaboration with the Chicago Cubs organization. DraftKings characterized the closure as aligning with a strategic refocus of capital allocation.
Stadium Sportsbooks Face Nationwide Closures
The Wrigley venue’s closure represents the latest chapter in a continuing industry trend. Betting facilities positioned at or adjacent to major sporting venues have been folding operations throughout the past 24 months.
Similar closures have affected facilities near the Phoenix Suns arena, Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Progressive Field in Cleveland, and Nationals Park in Washington. This pattern reveals fundamental challenges with the venue-based betting concept.
The Fanatics betting facility at Progressive Field closed its doors in 2025 after recording a $226,000 loss and processing fewer than 20,000 wagers during its final 12 months. The space was subsequently repurposed as a merchandise store.
FanDuel’s Phoenix location inside the Suns’ arena transformed into a branded hospitality area. Meanwhile, BetMGM relocated its Cincinnati operation away from the immediate ballpark vicinity to a location across the street.
Industry analysts note that most spectators at sporting events simply prefer placing bets through their mobile devices. Those uninterested in wagering typically want to remain in their seats rather than leave the action they purchased tickets to witness.
North America’s inaugural venue-based sportsbook debuted in 2021 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., managed by Caesars Entertainment. Industry experts initially predicted this model would become a significant growth segment.
A small number of stadium betting facilities continue operating. Most survivors exist in Washington, D.C., and Arizona, where three of each market’s four major professional franchises maintain active sportsbook arrangements.
The Washington Commanders, whose stadium sits in Maryland, feature a Fanatics Sportsbook within Northwest Stadium. In Arizona, DraftKings maintains a retail operation at TPC Scottsdale.
The golf venue location ranks as Arizona’s busiest among three professional sports facility sportsbooks. This success may suggest an alternative approach for sustaining physical betting locations at live entertainment properties.
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