Illinois Senator Advances Bill to Ban Sports Betting at Arcades

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October 04, 2025

Illinois State Senator Bill Cunningham is advancing legislation, HB 2724, aimed at prohibiting sports betting at entertainment venues such as Dave & Buster's. The bill has passed the Senate Executive Committee, indicating progress towards potential enactment. This legislative effort seeks to prevent arcades from offering real-money wagering on games.

Senator Cunningham stated that "Arcades marketing as family fun shouldn't be in the business of exposing minors to gambling." This concern arises as Dave & Buster's had recently announced plans for offerings that involve games of skill, which lawmakers are scrutinizing for their potential to expose minors to gambling within family-friendly environments.

The passage of this bill would restrict a potential new revenue stream for Dave & Buster's in Illinois, a state that launched sports betting in March 2020 and has become a significant market. This regulatory action could impact the company's ability to diversify its entertainment offerings and generate revenue from skill-based wagering.

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