Manhattan Casino Plans Rejected, Shifting New York’s Gambling Future
Local Advisory Committee Rejects Manhattan Casino Proposal
Manhattan’s hopes of hosting its first casino have been dashed after a key community group voted against the latest casino proposal for the borough. This decision effectively ends years of discussions about introducing a Las Vegas-style resort to one of New York City’s busiest business and tourist hubs.
Community Advisory Committee Blocks $11 Billion Casino Project Near United Nations
On September 22, the Community Advisory Committee turned down the “Freedom Plaza” project with a vote of 4-2. This ambitious $11 billion plan aimed to develop six acres just south of the United Nations headquarters. The bid was presented by the Soloviev Group alongside Connecticut-based gaming company Mohegan. Despite last-minute commitments to build more than 1,000 affordable housing units and promise community reinvestment, the proposal failed to win the committee’s approval.
This rejection came shortly after two other major Manhattan casino proposals were also dismissed. These included a Times Square casino backed by Caesars Entertainment and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, and a Hudson Yards project from Related Companies and Wynn Resorts. With all three plans denied, Manhattan has been eliminated from the race for up to three downstate casino licenses.
Local officials and residents voiced strong opposition, citing concerns over increased traffic congestion, public safety, and potential declines in neighborhood quality of life. Many expressed that locating a casino so close to the UN complex would overwhelm infrastructure, particularly during large-scale events like the General Assembly.
Manhattan Falls Out of Casino License Competition, Focus Shifts to Other Boroughs
Michael Hershman, leader of the Soloviev Group, argued that Manhattan needed a casino resort of this scale to stimulate tourism and job growth while addressing community needs. Similarly, Ray Pineault from Mohegan expressed disappointment, feeling the evaluation overlooked the social and economic benefits their project could provide.
Representatives from City Hall, speaking for Mayor Eric Adams, lamented the setbacks, emphasizing that rejecting all Manhattan proposals means the borough has lost out on billions of dollars in investment, plus new housing and educational opportunities.
Currently, five casino proposals outside Manhattan remain under consideration. These include Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International’s plan near Citi Field in Queens, a Coney Island casino development supported by Thor Equities and partners, Bally’s proposal for the former Trump golf course site in the Bronx, along with bids from two existing racino operators: Resorts World New York City at Aqueduct in Queens and MGM Empire City in Yonkers.
While state officials aim to award casino licenses by December, local government approvals are required before projects can proceed. Some plans, such as the Coney Island casino, are already facing increasing political challenges. Once viewed as the prime location for New York’s gambling expansion, Manhattan’s exclusion signals that future growth may instead occur in the city’s outer boroughs, if such expansion moves forward at all.
