Sportsbook BetRivers responds to Illinois' latest tax demands
In the bustling world of sports betting, BetRivers, a leading operator in the industry, has made a significant move in Illinois. The company has announced a new minimum bet requirement of $1, a decision aimed at balancing profitability and player experience amid the state's recently implemented per-bet tax.
Michael Savio, a writer from Denver, has been covering the sports betting industry for Casino.com for over four years. In his latest report, he delves into the strategic response by BetRivers to the new tax framework in Illinois.
The Illinois per-bet tax, effective from July 1, 2025, charges sportsbooks $0.25 per wager on the first 20 million bets annually and $0.50 per bet beyond that threshold. This tax structure places a financial burden on operators, particularly affecting small wagers common in Illinois.
To manage operational economics and maintain a sustainable revenue per wager, BetRivers has chosen to raise the minimum bet to $1. This move contrasts with other Illinois sportsbooks like BetMGM and Hard Rock Bet, which have set higher minimum bets (ranging from $2 to $2.50) to mitigate the same tax effect.
By implementing this change, BetRivers aims to offset the impact of the per-bet tax while preserving a positive player experience. The company's reasoning revolves around navigating the new tax framework and ensuring a reasonable user experience as the Illinois sports betting market adjusts to these policy changes.
When not covering the industry or betting on sports, Michael Savio can be found exploring Colorado. His focus on providing accurate and easy-to-understand information for readers ensures that readers stay informed about the evolving landscape of sports betting.
- Michael Savio, in his report for Casino.com, discusses BetRivers' strategic response to the new tax framework in Illinois, which includes raising the minimum bet to $1 to balance profitability and player experience under theIllinois per-bet tax.
- In contrast to other Illinois sportsbooks like BetMGM and Hard Rock Bet, BetRivers has set a lower minimum bet of $1 to offset the impact of the per-bet tax while preserving a positive player experience.
