The owners of Ellis Island Casino have filed a lawsuit seeking over $50,000 in damages from the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Clark County, and the state of Nevada, alleging that the 2023 race caused significant disruptions to their business.
The lawsuit, filed on April 30 in Clark County District Court, claims that the extensive setup and teardown activities surrounding the race impeded access to Ellis Island’s property on Koval Lane, affecting both employees and customers.
Ellis Island alleges that during the race’s preparation and execution, their operations were severely disrupted. On the night before the first practice round, Ellis Island’s graveyard shift team was reportedly informed by Formula One (F1) or its agents that no one could enter or exit the area for three hours. The casino was instructed to announce on its floor that no one could leave until a “hot track” test was completed, causing significant inconvenience.
The lawsuit also criticizes Clark County for classifying the race as a special event without requiring a special use permit, which would have necessitated a more thorough review process. Additionally, Ellis Island points out that F1 began promoting the 2024 race before a county debriefing on the 2023 event was conducted.
Ellis Island had initially supported the event by creating a spectator zone in front of its property and erecting a 1,000-seat grandstand. Tickets for the grandstand were sold at $1,500 for a three-day pass. “We saw the value of Formula One and having the facility right next door,” said Christina Ellis, Ellis Island’s VP of Development, last September.
This lawsuit is not the first legal challenge faced by F1 concerning the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Last November, a class-action lawsuit was filed by 35,000 fans who were removed from a grandstand due to a delayed practice round.
Additionally, more than a dozen businesses near the circuit have threatened to sue F1 for the $30 million they claimed to have lost due to race preparations cutting off their customer access. While no formal lawsuit has been filed by these businesses, they have petitioned the Clark County Commission to deny a special use permit for this year’s event, scheduled for November 21-23.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/noticias/2024/05/20/72258-ellis-island-casino-sues-las-vegas-grand-prix-over-alleged-disruptions
