The race to get one of three coveted downstate casino licenses in New York is narrowing, with the news on Wednesday that the proposed casino in Times Square was rejected by the local community advisory committee (CAC).
also turned down the pitch from Rush Street Gaming and Silverstein Properties to build The Avenir
The CAC shot down the proposal, backed by rapper Jay-Z, Caesars Entertainment, and real estate firm SL Green, by a 4-2 vote on Wednesday. The committee also turned down the pitch from Rush Street Gaming and Silverstein Properties to build The Avenir casino on the west side of Manhattan.
All projects need approval from CACs before they can get in front of the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC), which will then make the final decision. The news on Wednesday means that only six bids remain. All of the CACs must hold votes by the end of September.
Hearings for the Times Square casino were dominated by concerns from Broadway businesses and workers about the potential negative impact a casino might bring to the area. The Broadway League issued a statement after the vote, saying that the results would “protect the magic of Broadway for the one hundred thousand New Yorkers who depend on it for their livelihoods.”
