Two regular customers of Ameristar Casino Hotel in Vicksburg, Mississippi are suing the property, arguing that it violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, local news outlet the Clarion Ledger reports.
In a federal lawsuit filed August 17, Hope Elly and John Smith said that they enjoy gambling and staying at Ameristar Casino Hotel, but also pointed out that the property has architectural and other related barriers preventing them from fully enjoying their time there because they feel limited from using all services offered because of their disabilities.
According to the court filings, Ms. Elly suffers from cerebrovascular accidents (or more commonly – strokes) that have affected her motor and sensory functions. As a result, she needs mobility aids in order to be able to get around. As for Mr. Smith, he has lost both his legs after being diagnosed with diabetes more than four decades go. He relies on a wheelchair to get around.
The lawsuit claims that Ameristar’s parking is not accessible for people with disabilities and is thus not compliant with the ADA. In addition, court filings read that the hotel and casino property offers a hostess counter for able-bodied individuals to receive services, but there is no such opportunity for the portion of its patrons that have disabilities.
Gaming and hospitality company Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. and its Vicksburg subsidiary PNK Vicksburg LLC are defendants in the lawsuit.
Disabled Customers Want Removal of Barriers
The attorney for Ms. Elly and Mr. Smith, Bradley McAdory, has explained in court filings that his clients seek removal of all existing barriers at the Vicksburg property that prevent disabled people from fully taking advantage of all services available. In addition, the lawsuit asks the hotel and casino to introduce practices and polices that will keep the premises free of any barriers in future.
The lawsuit further asks the federal court to require the casino’s owners to comply with the ADA’s standards. Attorney fees and other court remedies are also sought by the two disabled Ameristar customers.
According to court papers, Ms. Elly will keep on visiting the hotel and casino venue but not only to stay and gamble there but also to make sure that the necessary actions are taken by owners.
The Ameristar lawsuit is the latest of a series of lawsuits filed across Mississippi and other states, arguing that casinos are failing to comply with ADA standards. Ms. Elly is a plaintiff in a number of those, the Clarion Ledger reports.
Earlier this week, Ameristar Vicksburg became Mississippi’s latest casino property to launch a sportsbook following the May annulment of the federal ban on sports betting and the recent legalization of sports betting in the state.
The End Zone Sports Book at Ameristar Vicksburg offers customers full-service betting experience and features a number of large-screen TVs, four service windows for placing wagers and a number of other options.
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