Published on: January 4, 2026, 10:30 AM.
Updated on: January 4, 2026, 10:30 AM.
- Bally’s Chicago took over a week to settle a gambler’s slot machine jackpot
- The reason was linked to his immigration status
Bally’s Chicago has finally fulfilled its obligation for a $1,250 slot winnings that occurred on December 20.
After a delay of more than a week, a man named Nick reached out to the press, expressing his disappointment over the non-payment of his $1,250 slot victory. The temporary casino in the Medinah Temple has now reportedly resolved the payout.
As detailed by Casino.org on December 31, Nick alleged that Bally’s Chicago denied his winnings because he provided a limited-term REAL ID to the staff member overseeing the slot machines. Despite winning larger sums before without issue using this type of identification, Nick’s complaint centered around the casino’s handling of his identification status.
The federal threshold for tax reporting was raised to $2,000, effective from January 1, 2026.
Bally’s Chicago Resolves Payment Issue
A family member of Nick confirmed that Bally’s Chicago has finally issued his $1,250 payout. He previously mentioned that he was still engaging in discussions with the casino regarding the matter.
“They contacted him yesterday, issued an apology, and paid what was owed,” shared the friend.
Nick told CBS News Chicago that he has been a consistent patron at Bally’s Chicago since its temporary opening in September 2023.
“I’ve hit 11 jackpots,” he noted before the 12th, which had gone unpaid initially. “Historically, I’ve faced no issues. I’ve always used that kind of ID without problems.”
According to Illinois gaming regulations, a slot attendant must collect an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number while completing a W-2G form during handpay transactions for significant winnings.
At present, Bally’s Chicago has yet to issue a public statement regarding the payment discrepancies.
Bally’s Chicago User Reviews
Numerous casinos nationwide struggle with poor reviews, as customers often voice grievances about not winning as frequently as expected. Bally’s Chicago fits this narrative with a Google rating of 3.4/5 based on over 1,100 ratings.
Common complaints include issues with parking and the perception that slot machines do not pay out appropriately. Moreover, identification protocols have also prompted dissatisfaction among patrons.
In September, another patron shared that after winning a slot jackpot while using a Permanent Resident card, referred to as a Green Card, the casino categorized them as a foreign individual and withheld 30% of the payout.
“I tried to communicate that I am not a foreign individual. I reside here and pay taxes as a US citizen, yet the manager responded, ‘Do you want your jackpot money? If you want it, sign this; otherwise, we won’t pay you.’ I felt forced to sign it, losing 30% of my winnings,” the individual recounted.
Additional concerns have been raised regarding the casino’s security personnel needing to better identify acceptable forms of identification, including those issued by Canada.