Caesars Times Square Casino Plan Wins Support from Wyndham, Others
Caesars Entertainment's proposal to establish a casino hotel in Times Square received notable endorsements in the last 24 hours, with numerous prominent figures supporting the initiative.
During a virtual meeting held on Wednesday by the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC), Geoff Ballotti, President and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, praised the Times Square casino proposal, suggesting it’s the top contender among the downstate gaming venue proposals.
"We believe that this is the only location, having looked at them all, been approached by other partners, where a casino will blend seamlessly into … the identity and the character of a neighborhood that really needs an upgrade,” he said.
Wyndham operates multiple hotels in the Times Square region and has a points-sharing partnership with Caesars. Through the Caesars/Wyndham agreement, Wyndham Rewards can reserve accommodations at over 30 of the casino powerhouse's local properties, while Platinum and Diamond members of Wyndham Rewards receive tier-matching to Caesars Rewards.
The gaming firm is collaborating with real estate developer SL Green and Roc Nation, the entertainment agency founded by hip-hop mogul Jay-Z, on the Times Square casino project.
Entertainment Locations Also Support Times Square Casino
The proposal for a casino in Times Square has consistently encountered resistance from certain local businesses and theater organizations concerned that a gaming establishment would contribute to the noise and traffic in the already crowded area. Those critics have also expressed worry that a casino would keep visitors at the tables instead of exploring Times Square where they might spend money on meals and performances.
Nonetheless, certain entertainment establishments in the vicinity view a casino hotel arriving in the area as a positive development. This includes Sony Hall and The Town Hall, both of which expressed support for Caesars Palace New York.
“By drawing more visitors to the area, I genuinely believe Caesars Palace Times Square will help drive additional commerce, increase ticket sales for live performances, and strengthen the entire ecosystem that supports our city’s world-renowned arts and culture sector,” said Matt Goldman, executive director of The Town Hall, in a statement.
Caesars Palace Times Square and Roc Nation have committed to supporting numerous events each year at the two locations. In February 2023, the gaming firm announced plans to extend Caesars Rewards to incorporate certain small businesses in New York City, allowing members to earn and redeem tier credits at those locations. To finalize that agreement, Caesars needs to secure one of the three downstate licenses.
Manhattan Casino May Present Significant Challenges
The cutoff date for submitting applications for the three casino licenses in the New York City area is June 27, and it seems that Caesars and SL Green are prepared for it. Nonetheless, certain local politicians have suggested that establishing a gaming facility in Manhattan might pose challenges.
Caesars and SL Green are not the sole entities seeking a Manhattan license, but following Wynn Resorts' withdrawal from the race earlier this month, speculation heightened that a casino hotel was improbable in Manhattan.
By June 27, the Times Square proposal may be one of seven vying for three permits, reduced from an initial pool of 11. The number would be seven if Bally's fails to get parkland alienation approved in the Bronx and if Las Vegas Sands is unable to secure a gaming partner to take over its lease at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale.
