With downstate casinos in the bidding process and online New York casinos looming with potential legislation in 2024, the future is exciting for the Empire State.
So, while all in the Metropolitan area await word on any progress in the downstate casino process, many proposals already have been announced by different entities for possible consideration.
Last Thursday, one of those proposals - The Coney Casino & Resort Entertainment District in Brooklyn - gave an update on its local support in the community.
The Team at The Coney (Thor Equities, Saratoga Casino Holdings, The Chickasaw Nation and Legends) has collected more than 10,000 Brooklyn resident signatures (Coney Island and South Brooklyn) for a petition in support of the proposal after a months-long grassroots campaign to engage the Coney Island community and surrounding neighborhoods.
The petition from Brooklyn's only bid stated:
“As a Southern Brooklyn resident, you support creating jobs and new economic growth by establishing a new casino and entertainment district in Coney Island. For decades, our community, our families and our small businesses have been shortchanged and we have been waiting for the year-round economic opportunities that this project will finally make happen. We urge our elected representatives and leaders to support this project and the jobs and career training for local residents that will develop into long standing, fulfilling careers in entertainment and hospitality.”
Coney Area Eyes Jobs
The proposal indicated that 4,000 permanent gaming and hospitality jobs would be created through local hiring efforts by way of recruiting and local community job fairs, should the plan be selected.
“We’ve seen a real groundswell of support for The Coney because Coney Island and South Brooklyn residents know that year-round, good paying jobs, better public safety, investments in our students and more economic opportunities are good for this community,” said Robert Cornegy, consultant to the project. “Grassroots engagement is our top priority and we’re going to keep going to meetings, talking to people and telling everyone about the benefits The Coney would bring to help revitalize Coney Island.”
It is expected that the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) should have answers to any applicant’s first round of questions at the next monthly meeting sometime in September.
One can only hope.
Stay tuned to NYCasinos.com for the latest updates and news as well as information on New York online casino apps.
