CAC Votes Down Caesars Palace Times Square Casino Proposal

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Broadway wins out as Caesars and Jay-Z casino proposal fails to advance from the Community Advisory Committee

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By Chris Altruda

Last updated: September 17, 2025

1 min

The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) overseeing the $5.4 billion casino proposal fronted by Caesars and Jay-Z for 1515 Broadway in Times Square voted down the bid by a 4-2 vote Wednesday.

The rejection means the CAC will not forward the application for one of up to three $500 million downstate casino licenses to the New York State Gaming Commission for further consideration. It also leaves two Manhattan-based proposals — The Avenir on the West Side and Freedom Plaza on the East Side — among the now seven remaining applicants overall.

The first clue a no vote was in the offering came when the CAC voted down an amendment to the application. The amendment concerned an agreement between Caesars and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to increase accessibility at the 49th Street subway station for the BMT lines via elevator.

Laura Smith, appointed to the CAC by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and Peter Hatch, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s appointee, both voted in favor of the bid. CAC Chair Carl Wilson and members Matthew Tighe, Richard Gottfried, and Chris Carroll all voted in opposition.

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