The Broadway League still holds its position about having a casino in Time Square. The league refuses to agree that a casino in the square will bring any good.
Broadway League is a national trade association for the Broadway industry. The association aired its stand last month, insisting that a Times Square casino would return the district to its seedy and unsafe place during the 1970s.
The trade association is not changing its mind. In a letter sent to its members and signed by President Charlotte St. Martin, the board reiterated its opposition to a casino in Times Square, inside 1515 Broadway commercial property.
St. Martin wrote that casinos do everything to keep visitors gambling in the casinos. This means having a casino in the 1515 Broadway building is not mutually beneficial.
Meanwhile, the firms behind the Time Square casino have different opinions. Caesars Entertainment is partnering with SL Green Realty to bring a casino to the district.
The two giants announced their project a month ago, explaining they will use the real estate investment trust to launch a gaming venue. Caesars Entertainment and SL Green Realty explained that having a casino in the district will encourage the state's economic recovery. The casino will also alleviate traffic congestion in Times Square and improve security.
A Challenging Battle for a Manhattan Casino
The idea to have a casino in Manhattan originated from New York legislatures. They intend to give a third gaming license to a casino in downstate to increase revenue tax for the government and create jobs.
People are already speculating about who will take the other two licenses. Resorts World in Queens and MGM Empire City casino in Yonkers are the likely recipients of the first two licenses.
These already have established gambling properties offering class II casino games. By getting the new license, these casinos will bump to offering class III casino games.
This leaves a lot of competition for the third license. Apart from Caesars Entertainment, Wynn Resorts also plans to bid for the license. Once it wins the license, the operator will partner with REIT Related Companies to build a casino on Hudson Yards.
Las Vegas Sand is also expected to bid for the license. The casino operator is choosing a hard-to-develop space near Citi Field in Queens to build its New York casino.
Unfortunately, Manhattan is not a preferred district for a gaming facility. Westchester County is also out of the question. This leaves Staten Island, Queens, and the Bronx as the preferred destination for the last downstate casino.
Caesars and SL Green are yet to tell all details about their casino at 1515 Broadway. However, they are expected to reveal details in 2023. This is also the year the sitting committee will decide where the third casino will sit in New York City.
More Opposition to a Times Square Casino
The Broadway League is not the only association against a casino in Times Square. The Shubert Organization also made a stand earlier this month.
The group is the biggest theater owner in the country and does not support a casino in Times Square. According to the organization's real estate vice president Julio Peterson, a casino in Times Square will disrupt theater visitors. He also explained that having a district casino was not the best thing.
