The Big Apple is ready to gamble and many billionaire investors want to try their luck and win a big prize.
Elected officials finally approved one casino license in the Big Apple (that’s right, just one for a city of 8 million people), sparking a massive and sometimes ugly trade war between various wealthy suitors.
One interested party is none other than Jay-Z and his entertainment company Roc Nation. The entrepreneur, known for saying “I’m not a businessman, I’m in business, man,” teamed up with SL Green and Caesars Entertainment to propose building Caesars Palace in the heart of busy Times Square.
In an open letter on Instagram and Twitter to Roc Nation titled “It’s time for Times Square,” the company argued why they should be given a golden ticket to gambl*ng in New York.
“The winning group must be experienced in turning words into action – putting New York City and its people first – people of all races, religions, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations and socioeconomic statuses,” the statement said. “Our proposal features an innovative plan that will not only bring additional tourists to our city, but improve the lives of ordinary New Yorkers.”
Jay-Z’s plan promises to pay back surrounding businesses, benefit public transportation, invest in sanitation and safety, and “provide a much-needed transportation plan” among other things. “Our application provides $115 million for various theater programs, including looking after Broadway workers and their families,” the letter said.
Related: Jay-Z invests big in a robotic pizza truck that solves a major problem in the food industry
All-out bidding war
New York voters approved casinos like Las Vegas in their state in 2013. But just last year, elected officials in Albany authorized casino licenses in downstate New York, including New York, Long Island, and Westchester County.
The prospect of opening a fully operational casino in America’s largest city is salivating for billionaires to become New York’s casino king. In addition to Jay-Z, other bidders include New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, Gristedes heir John Katsimatidis and Hudson Yards developer Steven Ross.
“Every billionaire wants to own a casino. The epitome of success in the US is owning your own casino,” the source said. New York Post.
However, billionaires have different ideas about where they want to build their casinos. Cohen has teamed up with Hard Rock and wants to open a casino in Citi Field, Queens, where the Mets play. Katsimatidis is eyeing Coney Island, famous for its boardwalk, amusement park, and hot dog eating contest. Ross, who is partnering with Wynn, wants to locate the casino in the newly built Hudson Yards.
“Disinformation” campaign allegations
The Roc Nation letter, which also appeared in an advertisement in the New York Post, New York Daily News and Amsterdam News, accused some “conflicting parties” of spreading “misinformation”, claiming they wrote the letter to bring clarity.
Although Roc Nation did not name names, some believe they may be referring to a coalition of Broadway theater owners and producers, downtown Manhattan communities and tenant organizations calling themselves the No Times Square Casino.
According to an article in Deadlinethe coalition opposes the construction of Caesars Palace in Times Square, also home to most Broadway theaters, citing traffic congestion, economic disruption and making the area “less family-friendly”.