A high-profile push to bring a casino to the heart of Times Square has hit a wall. On Tuesday, a New York City Community Advisory Committee voted 4–2 against a $5.4 billion plan for a Caesars Palace Times Square resort and casino, a project backed by Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, Caesars Entertainment, and developer SL Green Realty.
The proposal promised jobs, tourism, and an economic jolt for Midtown, positioning Times Square as a new hub for luxury entertainment.
But despite the star power and corporate muscle behind it, the plan struggled to win over locals. Residents, Broadway groups, and theater owners argued that a casino would disrupt the character of the area, hurt existing businesses, and dilute the Broadway experience.
The six-member Community Advisory Committee, tasked with weighing local support for casino proposals, ultimately voted it down. Only Gov. Kathy Hochul’s and Mayor Eric Adams’ appointees supported the bid.
Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez thanked Hochul and Adams for their support but criticized other officials for not backing the project. “Unfortunately, not every politician has the courage and foresight to do what’s right for their constituents,” she said in a statement to Rolling Stone.
SL Green CEO Marc Holliday was more blunt. Caught on video after the vote, he told committee members: “What you did here today was despicable. The benefits you denied this community and this city and state, you have to live with that history forever.”
Opponents, meanwhile, celebrated the decision. Jason Laks, president of the Broadway League, praised the vote as a move to preserve one of New York’s cultural crown jewels.
“This was a vote to protect the magic of Broadway for the 100,000 New Yorkers who depend on it for their livelihoods, and for the tens of millions who come from around the world to experience it,” he said.
The Caesars Palace Times Square project wasn’t the only casualty. The committee also rejected the Avenir, a proposed casino on Manhattan’s far west side. With six other proposals still under consideration, and only one more in Manhattan, the race for New York City’s limited casino licenses remains fierce.
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