Two More Las Vegas Strip Casinos Settle Religious Discrimination Lawsuits

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) stated last week that it had achieved agreements with the Aria and Luxor, two casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip that are owned by MGM Resorts International, regarding allegations of religious discrimination.

The claims focused on the casinos' refusal to provide religious accommodations to staff members who disregarded COVID-19 vaccination requirements.  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was violated, according to the EEOC's conclusions.

The parties resolved the discrimination accusations through separate pre-litigation conciliation procedures after the EEOC's investigations.

Separate conciliation agreements were signed by the Luxor and the Aria with the EEOC.  Each committed to offering its HR departments Title VII training that focused on religious accommodation guidelines.  The EEOC will keep an eye on whether the agreements are being followed.

Additionally, neither property acknowledged guilt as part of the settlement.

The agreement's observance will be monitored by the EEOC.

“We commend both the Aria and the Luxor for putting in place training measures that will have a lasting impact on workers seeking religious accommodations in the workplace,” said Michael Mendoza, director of the EEOC’s Las Vegas local office, in a statement. “It is important that all employers understand that federal law requires reasonable religious accommodations, unless such an accommodation would pose an undue hardship that is substantial in the overall context of the employer’s business.”

Regarding the settlements, MGM Resorts remained silent.

The EEOC is the only federal organization with the authority to look into and bring legal action against companies and other private sector employers for breaking federal laws that forbid discrimination in the workplace.  The EEOC and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice share authority over employers in the public sector.

A similar EEOC religious discrimination case was settled last month by the Venetian hotel-casino, which agreed to pay $850,000 and implement significant policy reforms.