Key Moments:
- Community advisory committees rejected all three Manhattan casino proposals this week, with minimal support and limited deliberation.
- Two key members of the Coney Island advisory committee publicly announced their opposition to the Brooklyn casino project.
- MGM Empire City and Resorts World NYC remain favored contenders, with decisive advisory committee votes scheduled for today.
Setbacks for New York City Casino Projects
Recently, the casino licensing process in New York has witnessed significant developments. In particular, a series of community advisory committee (CAC) votes effectively eliminated all three Manhattan casino proposals. A series of community advisory committee (CAC) votes effectively eliminated all three Manhattan casino proposals: Caesars Times Square, Avenir, and Freedom Plaza. Each failed to secure more than 2-4 votes and were dismissed with minimal discussion.
“With Manhattan out of contention, the focus has consequently shifted to Brooklyn, where the fate of the Coney Island casino project now appears bleak. The bid, which is supported by Thor Equities and other partners, recently faced public opposition from two committee members tasked with its evaluation.
The Coney has failed to prove itself as a public good and will not improve conditions for the Brooklynites who call Coney Island home.
I will be voting ‘no’ on The Coney at the upcoming CAC vote. pic.twitter.com/0wQKbYTD9M
— Antonio Reynoso (@BKBPReynoso) September 22, 2025
Waning Support for Coney Island Casino Plan
On Monday, two influential committee members, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, announced their plans to vote against the Coney Island casino project at the next opportunity. Their opposition reflects wider concerns among committee members and adds urgency to the situation as a decision must be made before the September 30 deadline.
“The Coney has failed to prove itself as a public good,” Reynoso stated in an interview with the Brooklyn Eagle. “The proposal is deeply unimpressive and unresponsive to the needs, desires and rich history of the Coney Island community. Quite simply, it will not improve conditions for the Brooklynites who call Coney Island home.”
Moreover, Scarcella-Spanton added that the project ‘would not be suitable for the proposed location.’ The resistance from these committee members comes as The Coney remains one of five proposals competing for only three casino licenses allotted for downstate New York. All projects must receive approval from their local CACs to be considered by state officials.
Obstacles Hamper Coney Island Bid
The Coney Island proposal, submitted by Thor Equities in partnership with the Chickasaw Nation, Saratoga Casino Holdings, and Legends Hospitality, envisioned a $3.4 billion investment in a multifaceted, year-round destination. The development included plans for a casino, hotel, entertainment venues, and various amenities designed to transition the neighborhood away from mainly seasonal tourism.
Since the start of the approval process, however, the proposal encountered substantial obstacles that continue to undermine support. Public hearings about the project were marked by intense opposition, disruptive scenes, and the need for police intervention. These events demonstrated the level of community resistance and the challenge for an impartial decision by the CAC.
Advisory Committee Dynamics Undermine Support
Criticism against the project within the CAC was apparent from the onset. Marissa Solomon, a local opponent of the casino, was appointed to the committee by Assemblymember Alec Brook-Krasny, a known critic of the project. Solomon voiced pointed objections during the initial presentation, rallying other residents to call on the committee to reject the proposal.
As a result of Reynoso and Scarcella-Spanton’s stances, the project’s prospects have darkened further. Brook-Krasny commented on X, “Today’s news indicates three ‘NO’ determinations on the proposed Coney Island casino development. From the outset, my office maintained that this project was not a fit for our neighborhood.” With four out of six committee votes required for approval, the bid’s pathway appears nearly closed.
MGM Empire City and Resorts World NYC Take the Lead
With Coney Island’s proposal on precarious ground, attention has turned to two other candidates: MGM Empire City and Resorts World NYC. Both are set to undergo committee votes today and were previously recognized as leading contenders due to their established market positions and economic contributions.
Resorts World NYC earned unanimous community backing during its hearings and intends to open its casino by July 2026, outpacing MGM’s projected launch by a year. MGM encountered limited resistance at public hearings and faces a unique scenario, as its CAC consists of only five members and requires four votes to avoid being blocked.
Consequently, failure to secure a full casino license may lead MGM Empire City to shutter operations, as it would struggle to compete with the three other anticipated commercial casinos in proximity.
| Project | Lead Backers | Estimated Investment | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Coney (Coney Island) | Thor Equities, Chickasaw Nation, Saratoga Casino Holdings, Legends Hospitality | $3.4 billion | Facing likely rejection |
| MGM Empire City | MGM | Not stated | Considered a frontrunner; vote pending |
| Resorts World NYC | Resorts World | Not stated | Unanimous community backing; vote pending |
- Author
Daniel Williams
