Par-A-Dice is paying $825K to settle a biometrics lawsuit. See who is eligible for money

Andy Kravetz, Journal Star
·2 min read
Built in 1991, the Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino sits on the banks of the icy Illinois River at the foot of 21 Blackjack Boulevard in East Peoria.
Built in 1991, the Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino sits on the banks of the icy Illinois River at the foot of 21 Blackjack Boulevard in East Peoria.

EAST PEORIA — More than 1,000 patrons of the Par-A-Dice Casino could be able to receive money from the company in connection with the settlement of a class-action lawsuit.

That's the belief of attorneys in recent federal and state court filings regarding the casino's use of facial recognition cameras, which they contended was in violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. That law requires companies to get permission from people before collecting individuals’ biometric data through certain surveillance cameras.

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Those eligible to receive some of the $825,000 settlement are casino patrons whose "face was visible to certain security cameras at PAD’s Sportsbook in East Peoria, Illinois at any time between September 2020 through June 2021," according to a website set up by the attorneys of the named plaintiffs. That law firm, Stephan Zouras LLP, has handled more than 150 BIPA cases since June 2017.

Attorneys estimate there are 1,575 people who could possibly receive compensation. The total settlement is $825,000 but that also includes legal fees and other administrative costs.

The City of Peoria stands in the background of the Par-A-Dice riverboat casino at the foot of 21 Blackjack Boulevard in East Peoria.
The City of Peoria stands in the background of the Par-A-Dice riverboat casino at the foot of 21 Blackjack Boulevard in East Peoria.

Boyd Gaming, the parent company of the Par-A-Dice, has admitted no wrongdoing in the settlement. Both sides agreed to settle to "avoid the time, expense, and uncertainty of litigation," according to court records. A judge in Tazewell County could give final approval to the settlement at a hearing next month.

The last day to submit a claim is Feb. 6. The settlement website has several forms, including one to submit a claim.

The suit was filed in January 2020 and was moved up to U.S. District Court in Peoria a short time later. It was then sent back to Tazewell County in October 2022, after the two sides had agreed to settle. A trial had been set in federal court for November before the settlement was reached.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Par-A-Dice has agreed to settle a biometrics lawsuit. Here are the details