Local theatrical groups and charitable organizations plan to challenge the plans for a proposed casino in Times Square [VIDEO].
News Article: Caesars Times Square Casino Proposal Sparks Local Opposition
A proposed casino expansion in New York City's iconic Times Square is causing a stir, with a coalition of local residents and theater community members voicing their concerns about the potential impact of the casino on the neighborhood.
The coalition, known as the "No Times Square Casino Coalition," has been formed by members of the theater community and local nonprofit groups. They fear that the casino, if approved, will bring chaos, congestion, crime, and a negative change to the neighborhood's character.
The proposed casino, dubbed the Caesars Palace Times Square (CPTS), is a luxury casino resort valued at approximately $5.4 billion. The project is a retrofit of an existing office building at 1515 Broadway and is backed by Caesars Entertainment, real estate firm SL Green, and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation.
If approved, the CPTS casino would create approximately 3,800 permanent jobs and around 3,000 construction jobs. The developers have also pledged significant community investments, including a $22.5 million commitment over 15 years to Manhattan Plaza, an affordable housing complex, and an additional $5 million to the Callen-Lorde LGBTQ+ health clinic. A $250 million community benefits package has also been announced, which includes support for safety, housing, and Broadway workers.
However, the coalition's concerns have not been addressed in the casino proposal. The coalition's goal is to oppose the proposed casino in Times Square, citing potential negative effects on the local community and the theater district.
The developers, in partnership with Roc Nation and SL Green, have emphasized the project's community-focused approach, including collaborating with the theater sector and committing funds to local causes. Jay-Z, in particular, has emphasized the project as an additive to the district rather than a competitor to Broadway’s cultural ecosystem.
The CPTS proposal is currently under review. A Community Advisory Committee (CAC) has been established to evaluate the proposal, and the CPTS team had its first CAC meeting on July 23, 2025. The CAC must hold at least two public hearings and vote by September 30, 2025, with four affirmative votes required to advance the application to the Gaming Facility Location Board. The CPTS proposal is competing with seven other bids for one of three available commercial casino licenses in New York City.
At this time, no decision about the casino proposal has been made. The developers have not yet responded to the coalition's concerns publicly. The future of the Caesars Times Square casino remains uncertain as the community awaits the CAC's decision.
- The coalition, composed of theater community members and local nonprofit groups, is expressing concerns about the Caesars Palace Times Square (CPTS) casino, limiting their support due to the potential impact on the neighborhood's character, as well as increased chaos, congestion, crime, and financial risks associated with casino investment.
- In response, the developers have presented a philanthropic side to the project, investing millions into community development, affordable housing, and local causes, particularly the LGBTQ+ health clinic and Broadway workers.
- Nevertheless, the coalition views the CPTS casino proposal as disruptive to the existing real-estate business landscape in Times Square and fears that long-term investments in the neighborhood's arts and business sector could be compromised by the introduction of casino-and-gambling opportunities.
- As casino games and the casino culture often face criticism for negative societal impacts, the coalition is actively arguing against the financial and cultural costs, citing Las Vegas as an example of how such an establishment can alter a city's persona and attract a distinct demographic.
