What's happened
Multiple casino proposals in New York City, including Manhattan's Freedom Plaza, have been rejected by local community advisory committees. The decisions, driven by neighborhood opposition and concerns over community impact, now leave the city out of the upcoming state licensing process, with final decisions expected by the end of the year. The rejections include high-profile projects backed by Jay-Z and others.
What's behind the headline?
The recent rejections highlight the significant influence of local community advisory committees in New York's casino licensing process. Despite high-profile backing and economic promises, proposals like the Freedom Plaza project and the Jay-Z-backed Times Square casino failed to secure local approval, emphasizing community resistance to large-scale gambling developments in sensitive areas. These decisions reflect a broader trend of neighborhood pushback against gambling expansion, which could shape future licensing and development strategies. The outcome underscores that community support remains crucial for project approval, and the state’s final licensing decisions in December will likely favor proposals with strong local backing. The rejection of Manhattan projects also indicates a cautious approach by regulators, prioritizing neighborhood stability over high-profile economic gains.
What the papers say
Bloomberg reports that the Freedom Plaza project, backed by Soloviev Group and Caesars, was rejected by a local advisory committee on September 25, with CEO Michael Hershman criticizing the decision as a 'despicable display of cowardice.' The committee's vote was 4-2, and the project included plans for hotels, retail, and housing. Similarly, the NY Post and AP News detail the rejection of the Jay-Z-backed Caesars Times Square bid, which faced opposition from the Broadway League and local residents, with a 4-2 vote against it. The opposition was driven by concerns over the impact on Broadway and neighborhood character, with critics like Richard Gottfried and Jason Laks emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural assets. Bloomberg also notes that other proposals, such as Bally’s in the Bronx and a casino near Citi Field in Queens, are still under review, with final decisions expected by year's end. The overall narrative shows a pattern of community resistance to high-profile casino projects in Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, with local advisory boards playing a decisive role in the licensing process.
How we got here
The current wave of casino licensing in New York is driven by the state's plan to award up to three licenses in 2025. Several proposals, including high-profile bids in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, have faced rejection at the community advisory level due to neighborhood opposition and concerns over local impact. Notably, proposals backed by Jay-Z and other prominent figures have been turned down, leaving the city out of the final licensing process for now.
Go deeper
Common question
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Why Are NYC Community Boards Rejecting Casino Plans?
Many proposed casino projects in New York City are facing rejection from local community boards. This raises questions about what concerns residents and officials have, and what the future holds for casino development in the city. Below, we explore the reasons behind these rejections, the main issues at stake, and what might come next for casino licensing in New York.
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Why Were NYC Casino Bids Rejected by Community Votes?
Several high-profile casino proposals in New York City, including projects backed by celebrities like Jay-Z, have recently failed to gain community approval. These rejections highlight the importance of local opinions in big development plans and raise questions about what this means for NYC's future casino licensing. If you're curious about why these bids were rejected, who was involved, and what happens next, keep reading to find out more.
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