Manhattan Casino Bids Rejected, Five NYC Proposals Remain
New York City’s three downstate casino licenses will not include Manhattan. The last proposal for the borough, a $11 billion project called Freedom Plaza near the United Nations, was rejected this week by a state community advisory committee in a 4-2 vote.
The Freedom Plaza plan, backed by the Mohegan Tribe and Soloviev Group, would have featured two hotels, a casino, 500 units of affordable housing, a park, a museum, and other amenities. Appointees of Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams supported the bid, but representatives of local lawmakers voted no, citing community concerns over congestion and public safety.
The decision follows last week’s rejections of two other high-profile Manhattan proposals: a Caesars Palace project in Times Square with backing from Jay-Z, and a Related Companies–Wynn Resorts plan for Hudson Yards. With all three denied, Manhattan is officially out of the running.
Other Bids Still Alive
Five proposals in other boroughs remain under consideration. Bally’s has pitched a development at Ferry Point in the Bronx, while New York Mets owner Steve Cohen has partnered with Hard Rock on a plan for a site next to Citi Field in Queens. Two racinos – MGM’s Empire City in Yonkers and Resorts World in Queens – are seeking upgrades to full-scale casinos, which many industry insiders expect will secure two of the three licenses.
Brooklyn’s lone proposal for Coney Island, backed by Thor Equities, the Chickasaw Nation, Saratoga Casino Holdings, and a joint venture with the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys, has also faced steep opposition. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso called the project unnecessary, warning it would worsen traffic and add little value to the community. Several advisory members have already voiced opposition, thus approval is quite unlikely.
Reaction to the Votes
Officials and developers voiced disappointment following the Freedom Plaza rejection. William Fowler, a spokesperson for Mayor Adams, said the decision was not only a setback for gaming but also for new housing, schools, and billions in potential investment.
Michael Hershman, CEO of the Soloviev Group, said Manhattan “deserved” the resort and argued it would have attracted visitors while supporting the community. Mohegan CEO Ray Pineault added that the process failed to reflect the broader benefits the project could have delivered, including jobs and housing.
Mayor Adams himself, who is seeking reelection as an independent, said he was surprised by the negative votes, noting that casinos can bring jobs and tourism.
What’s Next for New Casinos in New York
New York regulators had originally set December 2025 as the deadline for awarding the three downstate licenses, though the timeline has been pushed back to January 2026, when a final decision is expected.