Jay-Z Backed Times Square Casino Bid Opposed By Broadway Union
“A casino in Times Square is not going to increase attendance at our venues,” said a representative of The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees
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The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) has voiced strong opposition to the proposed casino project led by Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, SL Green, and Caesars Palace, which aims to establish a Caesars Palace Casino at 1515 Broadway in Times Square.
It is not necessarily the casino itself that the IATSE opposes. Rather, it is the impact that it would have on Broadway’s shows if it were built within the district. The union represents thousands of theater workers in New York, from actors and crew to costume designers.
“Having a casino in Times Square is not going to increase attendance at our venues,” Carl Mulert, a business representative of IATSE Local 829, said in a statement.
“Casinos are self-contained and are designed to keep patrons inside for as long as possible,” added the union, as reported by the New York Post. “Meanwhile, our iconic theater district and Broadway are still recovering from the financial hardship brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
On the other hand, some Broadway organizations, including the Actors’ Equity Association and Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians, have publicly expressed their support for the project. Additionally, SL Green Executive VP Brett Herschenfeld argues that the casino could bring employment to the area.
Residents aren’t happy
According to a recent poll financed by the No Times Square Casino Coalition, 71% of registered voters who live in or around Times Square oppose the project. This sentiment is echoed by local hospitality workers, such as restaurant and bar owners, who worry that a casino would divert tourists away from their establishments and into the casino’s chain venues.
The No Times Square Casino Coalition is a group of local businesses, unions, and organizations that are united in their opposition to the new casino. The goal of the coalition is to preserve the “unique, cultural significance of the theater district and its communities.” Prominent members include the Broadway League, United Scenic Artists, TDF, Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood Association, and 54 Below.
Jay-Z’s collaborative bid is only one of several competing proposals for three downstate casino licenses that became available in January 2023. Other contenders include Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International, Related Companies and Wynn Resorts, MGM, Thor Equities Group, Mohegan Sun and the Soloviev Group, Bally’s Corporation, and Las Vegas Sands.
However, applicants must wait for the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB) to make a decision, which may not be finalized until December 2025.
