It seems that an iconic Las Vegas Casino will have to learn the hard way that words matter. And it would be a lesson that Binion’s Gambling Hall and Hotel would hardly ever forget.
The downtown Fremont Street casino was forced to give some answers regarding a “No Color” Policy that caused a recent turmoil. Although the casino had made sure it wrote exactly what it meant on a sign placed at the casino premises, it seems that many visitors of the iconic downtown casino property failed to read the smaller print causing outrage and concern.
The casino venue faced accusations of “up-front racism”. And although the full sign does, in fact, explain what the property was trying to say in the first place, the aforementioned policy remains controversial.
This was sort of a thing before, but now it’s a thing-thing. pic.twitter.com/8HSeMO5lAB
— Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) March 23, 2023
Binion’s Gambling Hall and Hotel Does Not Discriminate against People of Color
Now, Binion’s Gambling Hall and Hotel has been forced to respond to the massive wave of criticism it faced after installing the sign, saying that the policy was in fact an attempt to prevent casino customers from wearing gang colors not only on Fremont Street but also in the other casinos in the neighborhood.
This gets perfectly clear when reading the full message of the sign than just looking at the “No Color Policy” part that triggered some visitors’ grudge.
Tim Lager, the General Manager of the casino venue, has now explained that the business installed the sign after the Metropolitan Police Department issued a briefing regarding the possibility for bikers coming into the city. As explained by Mr. Lager placing such signs was something everyone did when they get such intel for the local Police Department. He, however, confessed that the business forgot to remove the sign after the period the police warning applied to had passed.
The spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Department, Ofc. Bob Wicks, sided with the Binion’s Gambling Hall and Hotel, saying that the language on the controversial sign has been used for more than 15 years and has nothing to do with racism.
Controversy Caused by “No Color Policy” Sign Still Remains
As mentioned above, a closer look at the sign installed by the downtown Fremont Street casino proves that the “No Color Policy” does not actually discriminate against people based on their complexion. Still, the business faced a massive wave of criticism, including on social media, with people questioning whether it was legal or morally right to control what color clothing people wear.
The sign has been shocking to those who only read the larger print but it turned out that it was also confusing to people who took their time and read it completely. According to some of them, the “No Color Policy” signs are aimed at reducing the tension that sometimes builds between competing motorcycle clubs inside local establishments. They, however, shared some concerns about potential discrimination against people who ride motorcycles.
It also became clear that the local Police Department did not ask Binion’s Gambling Hall and Hotel to install the sign but it still sided with the policy that is aimed at avoiding conflicts. The Las Vegas police currently do not operate inside casino venues. However, they could be called in case someone violated the policy and refused to leave the premises when asked to do so.
