Jay-Z is continuing to support a bid to build a casino in Times Square despite widespread opposition from locals.
The Roc Nation founder, who has partnered with investment trust SL Green and gambling company Caesars Entertainment, described the plan as an extension of New York’s cultural life rather than a threat to it.
Key Takeaways
- Jay-Z expressed his continued support for a Caesars Palace casino at 1515 Broadway.
- Developers promise $7 billion in tax revenue as well as nearly $250 million in community benefits.
- The development has come under recent scrutiny, with a poll finding that 70% of locals oppose the plan.
“New York City is the entertainment capital of the world, so the idea of a world-class casino here makes perfect sense,” Jay-Z told City & State NY. “I’ve always looked at opportunities that can shift culture while uplifting communities, and Caesars Palace Times Square is exactly that.”
Supporters have highlighted estimates of up to $7 billion in projected tax revenue, thousands of jobs, and major local investment, with $250 million estimated to be generated in community benefits.
But for many residents and businesses, promises don’t outweigh the risks. Broadway producers, unions, and small business owners have united in opposition, worried about congestion, crime, and a shift in the area’s character.
Jay-Z said in July that the casino would allow Times Square to "fulfill its promise."
Poll reveals strong local opposition
Recent polling underscores just how steep the hill may be for the Times Square project. A Tulchin Research survey commissioned by the No Times Square Casino coalition found that 67% of local voters oppose the casino plan, with half of those strongly opposed. Only 24% backed the idea, while
9% remained undecided.
The opposition stretches across gender, age, and political divides. Three-quarters of voters over 55 reject the idea, but even younger residents are skeptical. Of those surveyed, 77% fear crime will increase, 75% worry the district will become less livable, and 74% cite traffic concerns.
Yet, Caesars Palace Times Square has pushed back against the poll. Roc Nation chief executive officer Desiree Perez said her team has spoken to hundreds of Manhattan residents and small businesses over the past four years and heard strong support.
Queens hearing for Cohen’s casino plan heats up
While the Times Square fight intensifies, another casino proposal is being debated in Queens. Steve Cohen’s Metropolitan Park project, an $8-billion casino and entertainment complex next to Citi Field, faced its first public hearing this week.
More than 70 people testified, with most voicing support, pointing to promised jobs, tourism, and $1 billion in community benefits, including upgrades to public transportation. Supporters argued the development could transform the borough’s economy, with unions and small businesses in favor. Opponents, however, warned of gentrification, gambling addiction, and displacement.
Environmentalists and community advocates also argued that the promises of community benefits were unenforceable and little more than "developer myths."
The Queens' Community Advisory Committee will issue a recommendation by Sept. 30 ahead of the state gaming commission’s decision later this year.
