Rush Street Interactive (RSI) signaled that it may expand BetRivers’ minimum wager policy beyond Illinois. During its fourth-quarter earnings call, the company noted that Illinois’ per-wager fee prompted BetRivers to increase its minimum bet from $1 to $5 in that market. Executives indicated similar adjustments could be implemented in other states if tax structures make low-dollar wagers less sustainable for operators.
Illinois is not alone in revising sports betting tax policy. Several states have recently adjusted their rates or are actively debating new proposals aimed at increasing revenue from the industry. These are locations where BetRivers could raise their minimum wagers.
Louisiana raised its online sports betting tax rate from 15% to 21.5% in 2025, while Maryland lawmakers approved an increase from 15% to 20%.
In Arizona, Governor Katie Hobbs has proposed raising the tax rate on sports betting revenue from 10% to 45% for operators generating more than $75 million in monthly handle. Sportsbooks below that threshold would remain taxed at 10%. Major operators such as FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM could be affected if the measure advances.
Michigan is also considering adopting a per-wager tax similar to Illinois. Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive budget proposal includes a 25-cent fee per bet, increasing to 50 cents after 20 million annual wagers, in addition to the state’s current 8.4% sports betting tax.
Meanwhile, a bill introduced in West Virginia would increase the state’s sports betting tax from 10% to 25% of gross revenue, further signaling a broader national trend toward higher gaming taxes.
If BetRivers expands its higher minimum wager policy into additional states, the impact would fall hardest on low-stakes and casual bettors. Raising the minimum bet from $1 to $5 may not significantly affect high-volume or bettors placing larger wagers, but it effectively eliminates micro-betting at the lowest price points.
For casual players who prefer smaller bets for entertainment purposes or bankroll management, higher minimums reduce flexibility and increase financial risk per wager. Over time, this can make regulated platforms less accessible for entry-level bettors. If more states adopt per-wager taxes or higher revenue-based tax rates, similar pricing adjustments could become more common across the industry.
The risk here is that it could push casual bettors to other platforms that don’t have higher minimum bets. This includes offshore sportsbooks, which don’t have the same consumer protections in place.
Expanding higher minimum wagers could help BetRivers offset rising tax costs, but it also carries competitive risk. In markets where competitors continue offering lower entry points, a $5 minimum bet could make BetRivers less appealing to casual or budget-conscious players.
Over time, that pricing shift could reduce player acquisition and retention, particularly among low-stakes bettors who drive volume through frequent smaller wagers.
If rivals absorb higher tax burdens without raising minimums, BetRivers could face potential market share pressure in affected states.
The strategy may protect margins, but it could also reshape its customer base toward higher-value bettors while sacrificing broader participation.
With this decision, it appears that BetRivers is trying to focus on higher-stakes bettors rather than the most casual participants.
