The U.S. Supreme Court case Brown v. Hotel & Restaurant Employees (1983) revolved around a New Jersey law that prohibited certain individuals from participating in casino operations, and the subsequent challenge by union members who were affected by this prohibition. The state of New Jersey had passed legislation aimed at regulating the burgeoning casino industry to prevent infiltration by organized crime groups; part of these regulations included barring any individual with known criminal connections from being involved in casino operations or labor organizations associated with casinos. Union Local 54 challenged this law on constitutional grounds, arguing it violated their First Amendment rights to freedom of association and Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination among others. However, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of New Jersey's Casino Control Act, ruling that states have significant interest in regulating industries such as gambling where there is high potential for corruption and criminal influence. The court found that while some employees may be unfairly impacted due to past associations or convictions, these concerns did not outweigh the state's need to maintain integrity within its gaming industry.

In the dissenting opinion for Brown v. Hotel & Restaurant Employees, it was argued that New Jersey's Casino Control Act, which prohibited casino employees from participating in union activities, violated their First Amendment rights to freedom of association and speech. The dissenters believed that the state failed to demonstrate a compelling interest justifying this infringement on constitutional rights. They contended that while preventing corruption is indeed a significant state interest, there was no substantial evidence showing a link between union involvement and organized crime within casinos. Furthermore, they pointed out other less restrictive means available to combat potential corruption without infringing upon workers' constitutional rights such as rigorous licensing procedures or intensive background checks for all casino employees involved in unions.