Industry PR Community Advisory Committee Rejects Times Square Casino Proposal in 4-2 Vote Claudia AndrzejewskaPublished: September 18, 2025 Updated: October 2, 2025027 views A high-profile bid to establish a Caesars Palace casino in the heart of Times Square was denied Wednesday, September 17, 2025, following a decisive 4-2 vote by New York's Community Advisory Committee. The proposal, backed by SL Green Realty Corporation, Caesars Entertainment, Roc Nation, and Live Nation, sought to transform the 54-story office building at 1515 Broadway into a major gaming and entertainment destination. Table of Contents Broadway Coalition Opposition Influences DecisionProject Details and Industry SupportState Casino License Competition ContinuesCommittee Voting BreakdownEconomic Impact Projections Broadway Coalition Opposition Influences Decision The $5.4 billion development project faced significant resistance from the Broadway theater community, led by The Broadway League, which argued the casino would threaten the cultural integrity of the theater district. The proposed facility would have operated above the Minskoff Theatre, current home to Disney’s “The Lion King” musical production. Jason Laks, President of The Broadway League, stated following the vote: “This was a vote to protect the magic of Broadway for the one hundred thousand New Yorkers who depend on it for their livelihoods, and for the tens of millions who come from around the world to experience it. A casino can go anywhere, but Broadway only lives here.” Project Details and Industry Support The rejected proposal included plans for a 150,000-square-foot gaming floor, luxury hotel accommodations, restaurant facilities, and entertainment venues. Project supporters included Actors’ Equity Association and American Federation of Musicians Local 802, which had negotiated exclusive monthly job fairs for union members as part of the development agreement. Rev. Al Sharpton, a vocal project advocate, criticized the committee’s decision, stating it represented a setback for diverse ownership in Times Square entertainment businesses. The proposal had included provisions for a multimillion-dollar civil rights museum as part of the development. State Casino License Competition Continues The Times Square rejection leaves seven remaining applications in New York’s competitive casino licensing process. The state plans to award three full casino licenses for the five boroughs and Yonkers area, with final decisions expected in January 2026. Remaining proposals include significant projects in Queens, with Resorts World planning a $5.5 billion expansion at Aqueduct Racetrack, and MGM Resorts proposing a $2.3 billion development at Empire City Casino in Yonkers. Committee Voting Breakdown The Community Advisory Committee’s four opposing votes came from representatives appointed by Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, State Senator Liz Krueger, Assembly Member Tony Simone, and Council Member Erik Bottcher. Only appointees from Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams supported the casino proposal. Marc Holliday, CEO of SL Green, expressed strong disappointment with the committee’s decision, calling it “a despicable display of cowardice” in statements following the vote. Economic Impact Projections Project developers had projected $7 billion in tax revenue for New York State and $124 million in direct ticket revenue benefits for Broadway theaters. The proposal also included $32 million in direct community investment for childcare, student debt assistance, and housing support for Broadway workers. The denial represents a significant development in New York’s evolving gaming landscape, as the state continues its selection process for the final three commercial casino licenses in the metropolitan area.