UPDATE: Manhattan’s hopes for its first casino have been dashed as a local advisory group has officially rejected the last proposal for a casino in the borough. The Community Advisory Committee voted 4-2 against the ambitious $11 billion “Freedom Plaza” project on September 22, 2023, ending years of speculation about a Vegas-style resort in New York City’s business and tourism hub.
The proposed casino, backed by the Soloviev Group and Connecticut’s Mohegan, was set to occupy a six-acre site just south of the United Nations. Despite promises to create over 1,000 affordable homes and significant community reinvestment, the proposal failed to sway the advisory board. This latest rejection follows last week’s dismissal of two other major casino plans in Manhattan: one in Times Square supported by Caesars Entertainment and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, and another in Hudson Yards by Related Companies and Wynn Resorts.
The decision marks a significant setback for Manhattan, which now loses its chance at securing up to three downstate casino licenses. Local politicians voiced strong community opposition, citing concerns over increased traffic, public safety, and overall quality of life in the densely populated area. Residents argued that placing a casino near the UN complex would exacerbate existing infrastructure strains during high-profile events like the General Assembly.
Michael Hershman of the Soloviev Group expressed disappointment, stressing that a project of this scale could have attracted visitors and created jobs tailored to community needs. Ray Pineault from Mohegan echoed these sentiments, lamenting that the review process did not adequately evaluate the project’s potential economic and social benefits.
City officials, including a spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams, criticized the decision, stating that the rejection of all three Manhattan proposals means the borough misses out on billions in investments, new housing, and educational facilities. They termed the outcome a regrettable loss for the community.
With these Manhattan projects off the table, attention now shifts to five remaining proposals outside of Manhattan. These include plans by Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International for a casino next to Citi Field in Queens, a Coney Island project backed by Thor Equities, Bally’s proposal for the former Trump golf course in the Bronx, and bids from existing racinos like Resorts World New York City at Aqueduct and MGM Empire City in Yonkers.
State regulators are set to award casino licenses by December 2023, but local approvals are required for any proposal to move forward. Some projects, like the Coney Island casino, already face escalating political opposition.
As public interest swells, the casino executives’ dreams of a Manhattan jackpot now shift to the outer boroughs. The recent voting highlights a pivot in New York’s gambling landscape, suggesting that the future of the city’s gambling expansion may lie away from its traditional center. Stay tuned for further developments as this story unfolds.