Chicago casino project accused in lawsuit of not allowing White men to invest: 'Blatantly discriminatory'

A new casino slated to open in the heart of downtown Chicago is being accused of violating U.S. civil rights laws by allegedly preventing White men from investing in the project - a move that has prompted a lawsuit.

Bally's Chicago is a $1.7-billion dollar casino and resort slated to open in the Windy City's River West neighborhood in 2026. The expansive complex is projected to be Illinois' biggest casino, boasting a 500-room hotel tower with a rooftop bar, a riverwalk, thousands of slot machines and a 3,000-seat theater. Bally's will be the city's first casino; its bid was selected by then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot in 2022. 

The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) is suing Bally's Casino and members of the Illinois gaming commission for what they allege is racial discrimination. WILL is representing two would-be investors who say they were denied the ability to take part in the project because of their race - Richard Fisher and Phillip Aronoff - who are part of the American Alliance for Equal Rights, which is also a plaintiff in the case.

"Making a contract is essential to the rights of citizenship. What Bally's is doing here is absolutely illegal and has been for decades and decades," Dan Lennington of the Wisconsin Institute of Law and Liberty told Fox News Digital.

Chicago attorney Patrick Callahan is not a party to the lawsuit, but he told Fox News Digital he was unable to invest in the project because he is a White man.

"It's so blatantly discriminatory, I can't imagine how that could possibly be permissible," Callahan said.

"This offering is only available to entities who satisfy Class A Qualification Criteria in accordance with the Host Community Agreement with the city of Chicago," the portal displayed in red text. 

WILL's lawsuit could lead to legal consequences for Bally's that may even put its casino license in jeopardy, Lennington said.

"The Bally's Chicago IPO complies with our obligations under the Host Community Agreement with the City of Chicago," a Bally's spokesperson told Fox News Digital in a statement.

The Chicago Mayor's Office and Illinois Gaming Commission did not respond to Fox News Digital's request to comment.