Bally’s Chicago Casino Accused of Bias Against White Men
A downtown Chicago casino project is facing a lawsuit over claims it breached US civil rights laws by denying white men the chance to invest.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) has taken Bally's Casino and the Illinois Gaming Commission to court, accusing them of racial discrimination.
WILL filed the lawsuit on behalf of two would-be investors and members of the American Alliance for Equal Rights, Richard Fisher and Phillip Aronoff, who claimed that they were barred from investing in the casino project due to their race.
Bally’s Chicago is presently constructing its flagship casino in the River West neighborhood, with plans for a grand opening in 2026. The $1.7 billion resort will become Illinois’ largest casino with its 500-room hotel tower with a rooftop bar, thousands of slot machines, a riverwalk, and a 3,000-seat theater.
Under the terms of its Host Community Agreement (HCA) with Chicago, Bally's pledged to ensure 25% minority ownership of the casino. The HCA was drafted in compliance with Illinois' 2019 gaming expansion law.
However, to invest in the casino's $250 million IPO, applicants must fulfill the "Class A Qualification Criteria," which mandates that they be a “minority or woman.”
According to the Municipal Code of Chicago, a minority is defined as individuals belonging to specific ethnic groups, including African Americans, American Indians, Asian-Americans, Hispanics, and others considered socially disadvantaged, such as Arab Americans.
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Chicago Attorney Denied Investment
Now, Bally’s is facing allegations of violating the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and Supreme Court precedents by restricting white men from purchasing their company stock. The suit also claims that the company is restricting shareholders from transferring shares to individuals who don't meet the "Class A" criteria.
Patrick Callahan, a Chicago-based attorney not party to the suit, revealed to Fox News Digital that he was denied investment opportunities in the project due to his status as a white male.
According to him, he tried investing in the project after seeing a post by a realtor he follows on Instagram. However, after entering his personal details into Bally’s investment portal, he was asked about his “Class A” eligibility. Upon revealing his race and gender, he was informed that he couldn’t proceed.
In a statement, a Bally’s spokesperson asserted that the company's Chicago IPO adheres to its commitments outlined in the Host Community Agreement with the City of Chicago.
The company is currently running a temporary casino in the state until it completes its permanent location.
The Chicago Mayor’s Office and the Illinois Gaming Commission are yet to respond to the allegations.
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