Last Friday, a coalition titled “No Times Square Casino” formally opposed a casino bid for Broadway 1515 by Caesars Entertainment, Rock Nation and SL Green. The group is led by the Broadway League and represents theater owners and producers. It is also supported by five neighborhood associations, several restaurant owners and churches.
In attracting casinos in Times Square, a consortium of Caesars Entertainment, Rock Nation, and SL Green is looking to acquire one of three Downstate Casino licenses available in New York. In January, the Game Facilities Location Board launched an application request for stakeholders, and the three winners must be announced by the end of 2023.
“No Times Square Casino” said in a statement on Friday that as the competition for downstate licenses heats up in the spring, the GFLB’s request for application will only compete for projects with community support. That’s why the coalition is strongly opposed to the consortium’s bid for the Time Square casino.
Some of the Union’s concerns about the project include worsening traffic congestion in areas already congested. There are also concerns that visitors will be lured to stay inside the casino walls instead of sponsoring restaurants and existing entertainment venues in the area, while disrupting businesses that have already proven beneficial to the city.
Sardi’s, Joe Allen and Orso, and Bar Centrale are concerned about potential changes in the structure of the theater area. Mary Hatman of Joe Allen and Orso Restaurant commented that small businesses in the community had to overcome profound challenges such as the unprecedented situation of 2020, and that the Times Square casino plan would create unnecessary risks.
Meanwhile, the competition for a downtown license is getting hotter. A total of eight bids were recently reported for the state’s three available licenses. It should be mentioned that one of the interested parties is Las Vegas Sands, which aims to bring gaming properties to Long Island, New York.
But the gambling leader’s bid has also been opposed by the community. In March 2023, a group entitled “No” to the Casino Citizens’ Association, along with trustees from Hofstra University, marked the bid “completely inappropriate.” Hofstra trustees commented that the casino’s target location is surrounded by educational institutions and various suburban communities, from kindergarten to graduate school.
In addition, Thor Equity shared an interest in obtaining one of the licenses available. The company has partnered with Saratoga Casino Holdings, Chicaso Nation and Legend Hospitality for the project. With license approval, a $3 billion commercial gaming property will be located on Coney Island in New York City.
BY: 바카라사이트 순위