Caesars, Silverstein Manhattan Casino Bids Fail After Local Vote

Core Insights - Two casino proposals in Manhattan's Times Square and West Side were rejected by community advisory committees, limiting the competition for gaming licenses in downstate New York [1][3][11] Group 1: Project Details - The West Side project, supported by Silverstein Properties, Rush Street Gaming, and Greenwood Gaming, failed to advance to the New York Gaming Facility Location Board due to insufficient votes [2] - SL Green Realty Corp. and Caesars Entertainment Inc.'s proposal for a Times Square casino also lost its vote earlier on the same day [2] - The proposed Caesars Palace Times Square aimed to generate an estimated $23.3 billion in gambling revenue over 10 years but faced opposition from local community groups and Broadway theater owners [6] Group 2: Community Response - Local community groups expressed concerns about potential increases in crime, sanitation issues, and traffic congestion associated with the casinos [6][12] - New York City Councilman Erik Bottcher stated he would not support either casino bid, emphasizing the need for strong community buy-in for such projects [4][5] - The rejection of the proposals reflects a broader sentiment against casinos in Manhattan, with some officials arguing that they would exacerbate existing quality-of-life issues [12][13] Group 3: Future Prospects - Only one proposal for a Manhattan casino may remain in the competition, with a vote on Soloviev Group's Freedom Plaza project scheduled for later this month [3][11] - If the Freedom Plaza project fails, the prospect of a Manhattan casino could be effectively over, as two other bids have already been abandoned due to lack of community support [12]