According to Nick, he presented a valid Illinois-issued limited-term REAL ID, the type of identification available to immigrants legally in the U.S. while their asylum claims are processed. In Illinois, such IDs are recognized for official purposes for the duration of the holder’s authorized stay.
“This time, however, they decided to not pay off because of my limited-term ID,” Nick told local reporters. “It would mean a lot … especially now for the holidays.”
Nick says he has used the same ID to collect previous jackpot wins without any problems — he believes his winnings exceed a dozen similar occasions.
Legal Status and Casino Policy Under Scrutiny
Gaming experts note that a REAL ID — even a limited-term one — is typically sufficient for casinos to pay out jackpots. “His limited-term ID is issued to people who are not residents of the U.S., but are here temporarily — in his case, requesting asylum — and as we discussed, it’s more difficult and more stringent to get that than it is to get a regular REAL ID driver’s license,” said one consultant.
Bally’s has been approached for comment but has not publicly explained why the payout has been withheld or clarified how the policy applies to asylum seekers.
Community Reaction and Broader Implications
The incident has sparked debate among local residents and online commentators about fairness and treatment of immigrants, with some calling it discriminatory and others noting the lack of clear information from the casino about its procedures.
Nick says he is continuing to contest the decision with Bally’s management in hopes of eventually receiving his winnings. As the case unfolds, it highlights the practical challenges faced by immigrants — even those with legal protections — when navigating complex systems outside of immigration itself.
