2 Manhattan casino proposals off table as Times Square, Hudson Yards plans voted down

Téa Kvetenadze, New York Daily News on Sep 17, 2025

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NEW YORK — Dueling big-name proposals to develop casinos in Times Square and Hudson Yards were voted down on Wednesday, narrowing the field in the high-stakes contest to secure a lucrative state license to bring a casino to the New York City area to half a dozen contenders.

A pair of local panels consisting of elected officials and appointees, known as Community Advisory Committees, nixed the chances of both Caesars Palace Times Square and The Avenir, which had been two of the last surviving proposals to cash in on a Midtown casino, in separate 4-2 votes following a series of public hearings.

The $4 billion Times Square plan — from entertainment bigwig Caesars and property giant SL Green — would have involved converting an office tower to a luxury hub with a casino, clubs, restaurants and a five-star hotel. But the backing of big names including Jay-Z and Al Sharpton wasn’t enough to overcome consistent local pushback, including from the influential Broadway League industry group.

SL Green CEO Marc Holliday lambasted the committee following the vote, describing their decision as “a despicable display of cowardice, lack of leadership, lack of consideration for all the people who would benefit from this proposal.”

The Avenir, spearheaded by real estate giant Silverstein Properties, was also killed. The $7 billion scheme would have seen a 45-story tower go up a stone’s throw from the Javits Center in Hudson Yards with a casino, 1,000-room hotel, food hall and more. But an eleventh hour promise to sweeten the deal by developing 2,000 apartments likewise was not enough to sway the CAC.

Applicants have to pass the committees in order to be considered by the state Gaming Facility Location Board, which is offering up to three licenses for a casino downstate.

“From the outset of this process I have said we must center this decision on the will of our community. Today’s vote to stop both casino proposals is a reflection of the community’s wishes,” said Assemblymember Tony Simone, who was on both CACs. “Today was a win for this community. We will continue working with partners to deliver future wins for the West Side that bring housing, education, economic opportunity, safety, and quality of life improvements for everyone.”

The votes marked the latest milestone in the lucrative yearslong campaigns by the Big Apple’s biggest powerbrokers to win a casino license. Eight applicants formally entered the race this summer, but with just one Manhattan casino applicant remaining — Freedom Plaza near the United Nations headquarters — pundits’ eyes are turning to the outer boroughs.

Two existing “racinos,” Empire City Casino in Yonkers and Resorts World in Queens, are seen has having an inside track to nab two of three state licenses. Mets owner Steve Cohen’s bid near Citi Field is, a proposal from Bally’s in the Bronx and The Coney in Brooklyn are still on the table.

CAC hearings and votes for the final six will be held by the end of the month. The state is expected to make its final decision by Dec. 1 and issue licenses by Dec. 31.

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