Chicago Casino Faces Lawsuit Over Minority-Exclusive Investment Program

Two White men and a conservative legal group allege racial discrimination in Bally’s $250 million IPO for Chicago’s first casino project.

The lawsuit, filed by the American Alliance for Equal Rights, challenges a Bally’s IPO that restricts initial investments to women and minority groups.
The $1.7 billion casino project in Chicago’s River West neighborhood is required to meet diversity ownership goals under Illinois law and city agreements.
Plaintiffs argue the program violates federal civil rights laws by excluding White men based on race and gender, calling it unconstitutional.
Bally’s defends the program as fulfilling commitments made to Chicago under its Host Community Agreement to promote equity and representation.
The case could have significant legal and financial implications for Bally’s, with the potential to disrupt the casino’s construction and operations.