ESPN Bet Raises Minimum Stake in Illinois
A recent tax change in Illinois has prompted sportsbooks to adjust their betting policies. ESPN Bet has now increased its minimum wager in the state to $1, aligning with similar moves made by other operators in response to the new levy.
Illinois Implements Per-Bet Tax
Since July 1, Illinois has required licensed sportsbooks to pay a tax on every wager. Operators are charged $0.25 per bet for the first 20 million wagers they handle annually, with the rate rising to $0.50 for each additional wager beyond that threshold. Lawmakers expect the measure to generate approximately $36 million in yearly revenue.
The new tax has led to varying strategies across the market. Some operators, such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics, have opted to pass the cost directly to users through additional fees of $0.25 or $0.50 per bet. Others, including BetMGM, Hard Rock Bet, BetRivers, and now ESPN Bet, have chosen to raise their minimum bet levels instead of imposing explicit charges.
ESPN Bet Adjusts House Rules
On August 8, ESPN Bet updated its Illinois house rules, raising the minimum stake from $0.10 to $1. The company did not issue a formal announcement, but the change is now reflected in its platform rules. While some bettors may notice the increase, industry data suggests that most wagers already exceed this level.
The average single wager placed in the United States in June was $41. For parlays, the average bet stood at $19. This indicates that although the policy change may affect casual low-stake bettors, the majority of users are unlikely to be impacted significantly.
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