Dueling big-name proposals to develop casinos in Occasions Sq. and Hudson Yards have been voted down on Wednesday, narrowing the sector within the high-stakes contest to safe a profitable state license to deliver a on line casino to the New York Metropolis space to half a dozen contenders.
A pair of native panels consisting of elected officers and appointees, often called Neighborhood Advisory Committees, nixed the possibilities of each Caesars Palace Occasions Sq. and The Avenir, which had been two of the final surviving proposals to money in on a Midtown on line casino, in separate 4-2 votes following a sequence of public hearings.
The $4 billion Occasions Sq. plan — from leisure bigwig Caesars and property large SL Inexperienced — would have concerned changing an workplace tower to a luxurious hub with a on line casino, golf equipment, eating places and a five-star resort. However the backing of huge names together with Jay-Z and Al Sharpton wasn’t sufficient to beat constant native pushback, together with from the influential Broadway League business group.
SL Inexperienced CEO Marc Holliday lambasted the committee following the vote, describing their choice as “a despicable display of cowardice, lack of leadership, lack of consideration for all the people who would benefit from this proposal.”
The Avenir, spearheaded by actual property large Silverstein Properties, was additionally killed. The $7 billion scheme would have seen a 45-story tower go up a stone’s throw from the Javits Heart in Hudson Yards with a on line casino, 1,000-room resort, meals corridor and extra. However an eleventh hour promise to sweeten the deal by creating 2,000 flats likewise was not sufficient to sway the CAC.
Candidates must cross the committees with a view to be thought-about by the state Gaming Facility Location Board, which is providing as much as three licenses for a on line casino downstate.
“From the outset of this process I have said we must center this decision on the will of our community. Today’s vote to stop both casino proposals is a reflection of the community’s wishes,” mentioned Assemblymember Tony Simone, who was on each CACs. “Today was a win for this community. We will continue working with partners to deliver future wins for the West Side that bring housing, education, economic opportunity, safety, and quality of life improvements for everyone.”
The votes marked the most recent milestone within the profitable yearslong campaigns by the Large Apple’s largest powerbrokers to win a on line casino license. Eight candidates formally entered the race this summer season, however with only one Manhattan on line casino applicant remaining — Freedom Plaza close to the United Nations headquarters — pundits’ eyes are turning to the outer boroughs.
Two current “racinos,” Empire Metropolis On line casino in Yonkers and Resorts World in Queens, are seen as having an inside observe to nab two of three state licenses. Mets proprietor Steve Cohen’s bid close to Citi Subject, a proposal from Bally’s within the Bronx and The Coney in Brooklyn are all nonetheless on the desk.
CAC hearings and votes for the ultimate six will likely be held by the tip of the month. The state is anticipated to make its closing choice by Dec. 1 and situation licenses by Dec. 31.
Initially Revealed: September 17, 2025 at 2:48 PM EDT
