Circa Sports activities has introduced that it’ll implement a $10 minimal wager in Illinois from September 1 in response to the tax on betting within the state. This will likely deter low-stakes esports bettors from utilizing the platform.
Derek Stevens posted the information on his X account, that includes in a video the place he states that, “we is not going to cost a payment on any wager made within the state of Illinois.” As an alternative, the corporate will increase the minimal stake, which Stevens claims will “shield the sports activities bettor”.
After considerate consideration, we consider one of the best plan of action for a low-hold, high-volume sportsbook corresponding to @CircaSports is to boost the minimal wager in Illinois. We’re reluctant to compromise our best-in-class betting splits or cost our clients a per-bet payment.… pic.twitter.com/hrg5xPHufq
— Derek Stevens (@DerekJStevens) August 15, 2025
The choice follows different sportsbooks which have launched a minimal wager, together with ESPN Guess, Arduous Rock Guess, BetMGM, and BetRivers.
Esports Shoppers Could Really feel the Brunt of Illinois Betting Tax
Others have taken a unique stance, with DraftKings and FanDuel each passing the payment instantly on to the client. Because of the quantity of bets accepted on the two main sportsbooks, that payment might be $0.50 per wager. Fanatics, in the meantime, will cost customers $0.25 resulting from its decrease betting quantity.
Esports followers could also be most affected by Circa’s change. Picture Credit score: Towfiqu Barbhuiya/Unsplash
The per-bet wager charges and minimal stakes launched by sportsbooks can have various impacts on esports betting lovers, relying on their degree of wagering.
For the extra informal bettor, who enjoys long-odds esports parlays with small stakes, they are going to see significantly decrease potential returns for a similar spend. Nonetheless, on condition that the bets are nearly at all times leisure (mirrored within the odds), the enjoyment might stay the identical.
The place minimal bets are applied, this will put informal bettors off fully; small wager parlays will not be attainable (beneath $10).
For a more adept gambler who prefers to again single match outcomes with increased comparable stakes, the small payment on every wager will make little to no distinction.
Sportsbooks declare the impact might be to ship extra bettors to offshore websites, the place they don’t seem to be topic to the identical restrictions.
Sportsbooks May See Wager Charge Taxed
The wagering payment launched by DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics may be topic to tax. In DraftKings’ Q2 earnings name, CEO Jason Robins commented that he didn’t suppose the surcharges ought to be taxed, stating: “Our place is that this was a pass-through and it shouldn’t be taxed.”
The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB), nonetheless, has mentioned that corporations ought to declare the wager charges on tax returns. DraftKings and FanDuel will each introduce their charges from September 1.
Robins went on to say that if the charges are taxed, then the corporate might rethink its technique and issue the tax into pricing. He said, “If it finally ends up being handled as taxable income, then there’s actually no profit to try this versus incorporating into the pricing. So that’s one thing that we’d have to think about.”
FanDuel’s guardian firm, Flutter, additionally mentioned it could change its coverage based mostly on the response by the IGB. Flutter CFO Rob Coldrake commented, “We landed on the transaction payment as a result of it’s straightforward for our clients to know, it ties on to the laws, and it’s straightforward to implement from a tax perspective.”
He went on so as to add, “If there’s a unique method it’s perceived by the state, we’ll modify accordingly.”
Circa Wins Gaming License In Missouri
In different information for Circa Sports activities, the corporate was awarded one in all two untethered sports activities betting licenses in Missouri.
The Missouri Gaming Fee (MGC) had been anticipated to favor DraftKings and FanDuel, the 2 different candidates for the licenses. Nonetheless, the gaming regulator determined to go along with DraftKings and Circa Sports activities as an alternative.
CEO Stevens mentioned it was a “nice honor” to be given the license, including, “We got here in because the lengthy shot towards nationwide giants like DraftKings and FanDuel, however our licensure approval right this moment proves there’s room for a unique sort of operator.”
Stevens will hope for related success when going towards the coverage of the 2 main operators in Illinois.
