Brooklyn Casino Bid Faces Collapse After Manhattan Rejections

New York’s downstate casino race is narrowing rapidly, with community opposition threatening to eliminate yet another high-profile contender.

Just days after three Manhattan proposals — Caesars Times Square, Avenir and Freedom Plaza — were rejected in quick succession, Brooklyn’s lone entry now appears unlikely to survive its own community review. Two members of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) overseeing “The Coney,” a $3.4 billion Coney Island casino proposal backed by Thor Equities, the Chickasaw Nation, Saratoga Casino Holdings and Legends Hospitality, announced Monday they intend to vote against the project.

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, who both appointed themselves to the committee, cited concerns over public benefit and suitability. Reynoso told the Brooklyn Eagle the proposal was “deeply unimpressive” and “unresponsive to the needs” of local residents. Scarcella-Spanton said the project “would not be suitable for the proposed location.” Their announced opposition comes on top of that of Marissa Solomon, a local appointee who has criticized the project from its first presentation. With three members opposed, The Coney appears unable to reach the four-vote threshold required from its six-member committee. Without CAC approval, the project cannot advance to state consideration for one of the three available downstate casino licenses.

The Coney faced long odds even before the latest announcements. Its public hearings were the most contentious of any bid, marked by shouting matches, police intervention and near-unanimous opposition from residents. Feedback submitted online also skewed heavily negative. The developers have promoted the project as a transformative anchor for Coney Island, promising a year-round entertainment complex with a casino, hotel and other attractions. But critics, including local elected officials, argued it would do little to address community needs and could worsen existing challenges.

Pattern of swift denials

The collapse of The Coney bid would mirror the swift dismissals seen in Manhattan. All three proposals there failed by 2-4 margins in CAC votes last week, with limited debate among members. The speed of those rejections has raised questions about whether community opposition is proving insurmountable for large-scale greenfield developments. That dynamic stands in contrast to the relative strength of the two racino bids — MGM Empire City in Yonkers and Resorts World New York City in Queens — both of which are scheduled for CAC votes Thursday.

Industry observers have long viewed MGM and Resorts World as frontrunners because of their existing facilities, tax contributions and shorter timelines to launch. Resorts World has highlighted its capacity to open by mid-2026, a year earlier than MGM’s current target. Both companies also enjoy more established community ties. Resorts World’s hearings drew near-unanimous support, while MGM faced some pushback from Yonkers residents but remains positioned strongly. For MGM, however, the stakes are particularly high. Company officials have warned the Yonkers property could close if denied a full casino license, citing competitive disadvantages against new license holders.

The Coney has failed to prove itself as a public good. The proposal is deeply unimpressive and unresponsive to the needs, desires and rich history of the Coney Island community.

Outlook

If The Coney is formally rejected, only four contenders would remain for three licenses, narrowing competition sharply. With three Manhattan bids already out and Brooklyn on the verge of elimination, the casino sweepstakes increasingly appear to favor the racinos — and possibly one other project able to clear community hurdles. The CAC deadline is September 30, with final state awards expected by year’s end.