Lawmakers in Illinois have launched a invoice looking for to ban native authorities from implementing their very own taxes on playing.
HB 4171 states that “The regulation and licensing of sports activities wagering, together with, however not restricted to, the imposition of charges, surcharges, or different prices for the privilege of conducting or taking part in sports activities wagering, are unique powers and features of the State.”
The invoice goes on to say, “A house rule unit could not impose or gather a tax on sports activities wagering.”
If enacted, it’ll cease Chicago from having the ability to impose a proposed 10.25% metropolis tax on sports activities betting.
Rep. Daniel Didech, who’s chair of the Home Gaming Committee, launched the invoice, and commented, “When the legislature legalized sports activities betting in 2019, it was by no means our intent to permit native governments to create their very own guidelines for this business.”
“Chicago’s proposal will harm customers, drive susceptible folks to predatory unlawful markets, and scale back state tax income. Town ought to work collaboratively with the state to make sure sound, knowledgeable coverage selections are made on this challenge.”
The invoice is co-sponsored by fellow Democrats Curtis J. Tarver, II, Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar, Edgar González, Jr., and Michael J. Kelly.
Rep. Guerrero–Cuellar added, “We have to defend Chicago sports activities followers from pointless taxes and guarantee gamers aren’t pushed towards unlawful, unregulated markets.”
Chicago Mayor Eyes Sports activities Betting To Scale back Deficit
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson‘s newly launched 2026 price range plan included the ten.25% tax, which might apply to wagers positioned each on-line and at retail sportsbooks.
The Chicago Monetary Future Job Pressure, launched by Mayor Brandon Johnson, beforehand really useful that the town take into account including a betting surcharge for all on-line sports activities wagers positioned inside its borders.
This was slated to use to bets positioned on-line throughout all main sports activities, together with esports. In its interim report, the duty drive acknowledged, “At present, the Metropolis taxes sports activities wagering at bodily sports activities wagering amenities the place solely 2% of all sport betting happens. The remaining 98% of sport betting happens on-line and stays untaxed.”
A further metropolis surcharge on on-line bets was estimated to generate as a lot as $17 million per yr. Nonetheless, the proposed 10.25% tax is estimated to generate round $26 million. Mayor Johnson is aiming to chop a projected price range shortfall of $1.15 billion.
Bettors Paying The Worth For New Illinois Taxes
The Chicago tax could be along with the state-wide surcharge Illinois Governor JB Pritzker included in his price range earlier this yr.
As a part of the brand new tax, sportsbooks are charged both $0.25 or $0.50 on each wager they settle for within the state.
In response to the brand new tax, sportsbooks have both handed the charge immediately onto bettors or raised the minimal stake for wagers.
Caesars Sportsbook was the newest to announce it’ll add a charge of $0.25 to all bets positioned on the platform in Illinois from September. FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics additionally selected to cross the associated fee on to their clients.
Circa Sports activities ($10), BetMGM ($2.50), BetRivers ($1), ESPN Guess ($1), and Arduous Rock Guess ($2) all selected to lift the minimal stake as a substitute.
In the meantime, Governor Pritzker revealed final week that he had revamped $1.4 million from playing final yr. The billionaire inheritor to the Hyatt resort empire stated he bought “extremely fortunate” taking part in blackjack in Vegas.
