NYC Casino Proposals Nurture Stars such as Jay-Z, Nas, Al Sharpton, and Donald Trump as Affiliates
In the heart of New York City, the race for securing one of the three available downstate casino licenses has reached its climax. Eight bids have been officially submitted, each promising to bring a unique blend of entertainment, hospitality, and economic development to the city.
The bidders and their proposed sites are as follows:
- The Avenir (Manhattan, West Side near Javits Center)
- Ballyβs New York Casino (The Bronx)
- Caesars Palace Times Square (Manhattan, Times Square)
- Freedom Plaza (Manhattan)
- Metropolitan Park (Queens, a partnership with Hard Rock and the New York Mets)
- MGM Empire City (Yonkers)
- Resorts World New York City (Queens, existing racino at Aqueduct)
- The Coney (Brooklyn)
Among the bids, there is a hint of stardust. Celebrities like Jay-Z, Rev. Al Sharpton, Nas, and Isaiah Whitehead have shown their support for various proposals. However, the specifics of their roles in the bidding process remain unclear in the current publicly available sources from 2025.
Jay-Z, a key stakeholder in the $5.4 billion Caesars Palace Times Square bid, has penned an open letter in support of the proposal, expressing his belief that it would best benefit NYC. On the other hand, Nas has expressed a preference for the Resorts World New York City bid in Queens, citing the history-making submission of their application.
Rev. Al Sharpton has lent his support to the Caesars Palace Times Square initiative, while Isaiah Whitehead is rallying for a casino in Coney Island, believing it would provide more opportunities for the neighborhood.
As the race heats up, each bid will be reviewed by eight Community Advisory Committees. Developers have until September 30, 2025, to acquire all necessary entitlements and land-use zoning approvals. The deadline for submitting casino bids was last Friday, July 1, 2025.
The New York Gaming Facility Location Board is scheduled to render the three winners by December 1, 2025. The city awaits the results, with anticipation building for the transformative impact these casinos could bring to the five boroughs.
- The Trump Organization is not among the listed bidders for the downstate casino licenses in NYC, contradicting speculations of a casino proximity to Trump Tower in Manhattan.
- Bally's announced its intention to establish Ballyβs New York Casino in The Bronx, bringing casino-personalities, casino-games, and casino-and-gambling to a less saturated part of the city.
- The Caesars Palace Times Square bid, backed by Jay-Z, aims to attract general-news-hungry fans to a colossal entertainment destination in Manhattan's famed Times Square.
- In addition to Caesars Palace Times Square, Freedom Plaza also aims to boost the city's entertainment sector, hoping to eclipse other competing proposals with its uniqueness.
- The partnership between Hard Rock, the New York Mets, and a yet-unknown developer plans to build a casino at Metropolitan Park in Queens, aiming to cater to both sports and casino enthusiasts alike.
- MGM Empire City in Yonkers aspires to maintain its position as the premier casino destination in the greater NYC area, should it secure a downstate casino license.
- Resorts World New York City, located in Queens at the existing racino at Aqueduct, seeks to extend its operations into full-scale casino-and-gambling, hoping to attract Nas's support in the process.
- The Coney, a proposed casino in Brooklyn, aims to capitalize on the revitalization of Coney Island and deliver economic development opportunities to the neighborhood, backed by Isaiah Whitehead's endorsement.
- The policy-and-legislation surrounding casino bids has captured the attention of New York City residents, making headlines in the general-news alongside stories about local politics and entertainment.
- As casino bids garner attention from celebrities like Jay-Z, Nas, Al Sharpton, and Isaiah Whitehead, the focus shifts from the entertainment provided by these casinos to the economic and social effects they are expected to bring to NYC.
