An Illinois lawmaker has filed a bill in the state’s General Assembly looking to ban the type of wagering at family amusement centers Dave & Buster’s wants to bring to its skill-based games.

Rep. Dan Didech, also the Illinois Chairman of the House Gaming Committee, filed HB 5832 on Thursday and the bill quickly gained more than two dozen co-sponsors in bipartisan support. The Family Wagering Prohibition Act would both “prohibit a family amusement establishment from facilitating wagering on amusement games” and “prohibit a family amusement establishment from engaging in advertising that promotes wagering on amusement games.”

Didech’s bill comes in response to Dave & Buster’s announcing last month it would start allowing customers 18 and older to place $5 wagers against each other in games like Skee-Ball and Pop-A-Shot basketball (aka Hot Shots).

Dave & Buster’s reached a partnership agreement with Lucra to offer real-money, peer-to-peer wagering on skill-based games. Lucra claims those contests are not subject to licensing and regulation needed for both sports betting and online casino gaming.

“It is inappropriate for family-friendly arcades to facilitate unregulated gambling on their premises. These businesses simply do not have the ability to oversee gambling activity in a safe and responsible manner,” Didech said in a statement.

— Wayne Kimmel (@waynekimmel) May 4, 2024

The announcement from Dave & Buster’s has sparked multiple conversations about the legality of peer-to-peer betting with skill-based games as well as responsible gaming.

Didech, whose district has a Dave & Buster’s in Vernon Hills in the suburbs north of Chicago, told CNBC he would be seeking to advance his bill during this year’s General Assembly, which is currently in session through at least May 24. The bill has received a first reading and was referred to the Rules Committee.