A man seeking US asylum and possessing a REAL ID card has accused Bally’s of not honoring a jackpot he won in early December at its temporary Chicago casino because of his immigration status.
The man hit a slot machine jackpot at the Bally’s casino in River North and presented staff with a legitimate, limited-term REAL ID. The US Real ID Act was made law in 2005, and in Illinois, asylum seekers with the proper documentation can obtain REAL IDs valid for the duration of their authorized stay in the US.
Bally’s staff, however, “decided to not pay off, because of my limited-term ID, and I’ve always had that kind of ID,” said the thwarted jackpot winner.
I’ve won 11 jackpots”
“I’ve been a regular since they opened, and I’ve won 11 jackpots” the man told CBS News Chicago, “and never had any problems.” The man, who insisted on anonymity over concerns as an immigrant in the US today, said he would have pocketed $1,250 that day.
“It would mean a lot … especially now for the holidays,” he said. CBS cited gaming consultant and casino expert Elihu Feustel as stating a REAL ID is normally enough “to cash in a jackpot anywhere in the country.”
The empty-handed winner said that despite Illinois and Chicago “protecting all these immigrants and stuff,” for Bally’s not to pony up “felt discriminatory, that’s all.”
CBS stated that Bally’s declined to comment either on the non-payment of the jackpot or on the request for their policy on limited-term REAL IDs.
