Rush Street abstains from DraftKings’ controversial iGaming surcharge plan

Rush Street has announced it will not introduce an iGaming surcharge for its players, setting itself apart from competitors and reinforcing its customer-first philosophy.

Last week, DraftKings introduced a betting surcharge to offset high state tax rates effective January 1, 2025.

• High-tax states: New York (51%), Pennsylvania (36%), Vermont (20%)

• Illinois: Recently passed a sliding tax scale — from 20% to a maximum of 40% for top earners

• Community reaction: DraftKings’ move sparked widespread backlash from bettors and analysts on X (formerly Twitter)

Rush Street’s CEO, Richard Schwartz, made it clear the operator will not follow suit:

“RSI remains committed to maintaining its leadership position in the industry by continuously prioritizing the needs and preferences of its players. We believe that RSI’s focus on customer satisfaction, coupled with its innovative rewards and loyalty programs, sets a benchmark for excellence in the online gaming industry.”

DraftKings maintains that the surcharge will be “fairly nominal,” but Rush Street strongly disagrees, becoming the first operator to reject the measure outright.

• Q2 success: Rush Street posted $220.4 million in revenue, a 35% year-on-year increase

• Future plans: The company is expanding operations in Latin America, with Brazil in focus

• Philosophy: Continues to prioritize player experience over short-term policy shifts

While the iGaming surcharge debate rages on, Rush Street’s independent stance and strong growth signal a steady course — one that celebrates customer loyalty and responsible expansion.