Times Square Residents and Theater Groups Push Back on Casino

The fight over a proposed $5.4 billion casino in the heart of Manhattan reached a boiling point during its first public hearing this week. Led by Caesars Entertainment, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, and SL Green, the project aims to bring a hotel-casino, entertainment venues, retail shops, and amenities to 1515 Broadway — right in the middle of New York City’s theater district.

Good to know

• The project is competing for one of just three downstate New York casino licenses.
• If approved, it would create 4,000 permanent union jobs and 3,000 construction jobs.
• Opponents include a coalition of 35 local groups and multiple Broadway theaters.

While developers promise economic growth, steady union jobs, and new investment in Manhattan, the plan has stirred strong resistance from residents and the theater community. Opponents fear the casino would disrupt the area’s character, increase crime, and pull visitors away from Broadway shows.

During the seven-hour hearing, local theaters lit up their marquees with “No Times Square Casino” messages, a campaign organized by the No Times Square Casino Coalition. Many attendees argued that casinos have harmed other neighborhoods in the past, warning against what they see as a risky gamble with the district’s future.

Supporters, however, point to the thousands of union jobs and a new commitment by Caesars, Roc Nation, and SL Green to reinvest $22.5 million over 15 years — plus 0.5% of the casino’s lifetime profits — into the wider Manhattan community. The revised plan follows earlier feedback that preferred spreading the funds across multiple initiatives rather than focusing solely on affordable housing.

The development team also pledged to host monthly job fairs for members of the theater industry, aiming to connect them with casino-related roles during off-season periods between shows. Backers believe these measures could create stronger ties between the casino and the existing entertainment scene.

The Times Square casino proposal is one of eight projects vying for a license, alongside bids from Bally’s, the developer of the World Trade Center, and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen. Before any license is granted, each project must secure approval from a local community advisory board.

The New York Gaming Facility Location Board is expected to announce the winning bids before the end of the year. Until then, the battle for Times Square — and its future identity — is far from over.

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