Illinois Sports Betting Revenues Reach $116.5M in July 2026
Handle of $1.05 billion; betting tax generates $5.4M in the first fiscal year.
Key Takeaways
- Illinois reported $116.5 million in adjusted sports betting revenue in July 2026 on a handle of approximately $1.05 billion.
- Over 21 million bets in July generated nearly $5.4 million from the betting tax introduced on July 1, 2025.
- DraftKings led the market with $382.7 million in handle and $42.5 million in adjusted revenue; FanDuel had $286.1 million and $36.9 million in revenue.
- In-person bets accounted for only $13.8 million of the total handle, underscoring the dominance of the mobile channel.
Illinois reported $116.5 million in adjusted sports betting revenue in July 2026, according to figures released by the Illinois Gaming Board. Operators managed a handle of approximately $1.05 billion during the month, and more than 21 million bets activated the new betting tax, producing around $5.4 million in additional charges.
Volume and Retention: Overall Figures from July
The total handle for July was approximately $1.05 billion. This volume produced $116.5 million in adjusted gross revenue, an increase of nearly 30% compared to July 2025 when reported revenue was $89.8 million. The total number of bets grew by 13.2% year-on-year.
The operating margin for sportsbooks in Illinois stood at around 11.1% of the handle for July, an improvement compared to June when retention was the lowest of 2026 due to the overlap of the World Cup, NBA Finals, and NHL Finals.
Impact of the Betting Tax Introduced in 2025
The state of Illinois implemented the betting tax on July 1, 2025. The tax structure charges $0.25 for each of the first 20 million online bets per operator during the fiscal year and $0.50 for each additional bet beyond that threshold.
In July 2026, over 21 million bets were recorded, generating approximately $5.4 million just from this tax. DraftKings paid nearly $2.4 million under this burden, while FanDuel contributed around $1.7 million. The state collected a total of $29.6 million in sports betting taxes during the month, and Cook County received $1.17 million.
Operator Leadership: DraftKings and FanDuel Dominate the Market
DraftKings led the online market in Illinois with a handle of $382.7 million and $42.5 million in adjusted revenue. FanDuel followed with $286.1 million in handle and $36.9 million in revenue.
The complete list of top operators and their July results was:
DraftKings — Handle: $382.7 million; Adjusted Revenue: $42.5 million
FanDuel — Handle: $286.1 million; Adjusted Revenue: $36.9 million
Fanatics Sportsbook — Handle: $89.1 million; Adjusted Revenue: $7.9 million
BetMGM — Handle: $67.7 million; Adjusted Revenue: $6.4 million
bet365 — Handle: $61.3 million; Adjusted Revenue: $6.7 million
BetRivers — Handle: $40.9 million; Adjusted Revenue: $5.1 million
The figures show that the market remains concentrated among operators with robust digital platforms; in-person bets contributed only $13.8 million of the total handle in July.
The World Cup and the Seasonal Pattern in Illinois
The impact of the World Cup 2026 elevated betting activity in July, replicating a trend seen nationally. The American Gaming Association reported that the U.S. commercial handle rose by 31.9% year-on-year in July to $11.6 billion, with national net revenue of $1.27 billion.
In Illinois, July reversed the effects of June when strong results from bettors reduced sportsbook retention. In July, retention returned to levels that allowed for a nearly 30% increase in revenue compared to July 2025.
What It Means for Operators and Regulators
The dependence on the mobile channel is clear: in-person betting was marginal compared to online gaming. The betting tax structure adds a fixed cost line per unit wager that favours operators with higher volume and margin efficiency.
For the Illinois Gaming Board, the figures from July confirm sustained tax collection and a market that continues to grow in volume and leader concentration. For operators, the challenge is to maintain profitability amidst the dual pressures of increased competition and a betting tax that scales with volume.
“The month shows how mobile betting dominates the state and how the betting tax generates significant revenue for public coffers,” said a spokesperson for the Illinois Gaming Board.
What to Watch in the Coming Months
The interaction between relevant sporting events, regular season of U.S. leagues, and the tax structure will be crucial for the evolution of earnings and handle. The pattern observed in July suggests that major spikes from international events may offset traditionally quieter months.
For ongoing market tracking and related regulatory changes, product and compliance teams should monitor the effects of the betting tax on cost per wager levels and customer elasticity, adjusting app offers and promotions accordingly.
Renata Quiroga, Corresponsal de mercados de apuestas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Illinois collect in sports betting taxes in July 2026?
Illinois collected $29.6 million in sports betting taxes in July 2026. Of that total, the tax from the mechanism introduced on July 1, 2025, contributed about $5.4 million.
Which operators led the betting market in Illinois in July?
DraftKings and FanDuel were the leaders in July 2026. DraftKings recorded $382.7 million in handle and $42.5 million in adjusted revenue; FanDuel reached $286.1 million in handle and $36.9 million in revenue.
How does the betting tax affect operators?
The betting tax charges $0.25 for each of the first 20 million online bets per operator during the fiscal year and $0.50 for each additional bet. In July, DraftKings paid about $2.4 million and FanDuel around $1.7 million under this tax.
What role do in-person bets play in the handle of Illinois?
In-person bets accounted for $13.8 million of the total handle of approximately $1.05 billion in July 2026, indicating that most volume comes from the mobile and online channel.
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About the author
Renata Quiroga
Betting Markets Correspondent
Renata Quiroga covers sports betting and prediction markets — sportsbook launches, odds technology, event contracts, and the regulatory calls that decide what can be bet on and where. The reports open with the product or the ruling, name operators and platforms precisely, and explain the mechanics without needless jargon. When a book enters a Latin American market or a prediction exchange lists a contested contract, Renata Quiroga reports what changes for the bettor.
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