Manhattan’s casino dreams collapse as local opposition shuts down two major bids
Manhattan's hopes for a commercial casino have been dashed, at least for now, as two prominent proposals failed to gain local support. The Jay-Z-backed Times Square casino and The Avenir in Hudson Yards both lost their community advisory committee votes last week.
The Freedom Plaza proposal, a joint venture by the Mohegan Tribe, Banyan Group, and Soloviev Group, was rejected by a 4-2 vote. Concerns over increased traffic, public safety, and negative impacts on local quality of life contributed to the opposition. The project, which included over 1,000 apartments, a 4.7-acre park, and a 300,000-square-foot underground casino, failed to win over the community.
With these rejections, only five proposals remain in contention for three downstate casino licenses to be awarded by the end of 2025. Two of these are existing slot parlor locations: MGM Empire City in Yonkers and Resorts World New York City in Queens at the Aqueduct Racetrack. Other candidates include Bally's Bronx, The Coney in Brooklyn, and Steve Cohen's planned project beside Citi Field in Queens.
Every proposal must first receive approval from their respective community advisory committee before the New York State Gaming Commission can consider their applications. The recent rejections serve as a reminder that local support is crucial for any casino project to move forward in the state.
