Rush Street Interactive: No Surcharges for Players

RSI’s move contrasts with other major players in the market, such as DraftKings. In a recent Q2 earnings call and conference call, DraftKings management announced plans to add a surcharge for customers in Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. The move was made due to the high tax rates on gross gaming revenue (GGR) in these regions, which can reach up to 51%. The surcharge will be included in bet slips and will only be applied to winning bets. CEO Jason Robins and CFO Alan Ellingson said they are confident that players will appreciate the transparency of these moves.

The market reaction to the DraftKings announcement was negative. The company’s shares fell about 11%, hitting their lowest point since October 2023. Meanwhile, RSI shares performed well last week, although they fell 14.5% today.

Richard Schwartz said: “We remain committed to maintaining our industry leadership by continually prioritizing the needs and preferences of our players. We believe that RSI’s focus on customer satisfaction, coupled with its innovative rewards and loyalty programs, sets the standard for excellence in the online gaming industry.”

RSI is actively expanding both online and retail sports betting in states such as Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania. The company is also looking to expand into Latin America, a market that has not attracted the attention of DraftKings.

Rush Street Interactive’s decision to not charge additional fees to players highlights their commitment to their customers and sets them apart from other operators. A strong focus on customer satisfaction and innovative rewards programs will help RSI maintain its leadership position in the online gaming industry while continuing to expand its presence internationally.