NYC Casino Bids Reduced With Caesars Times Square, Larry Silverstein’s Avenir

September 18, 2025

The Community Advisory Committees (CAC) for Caesars Palace Times Square and The Avenir were voted down this week, reducing the number of casino bids for downstate New York by two.

A three-fifths majority from its CAC is required before the New York Gaming Facility Location Board can assess a casino for one of the three available casino licenses.

The Caesars Palace Times Square CAC voted 4-2 against the project at 1515 Broadway this week.  The Avenir, a bid offered by New York real estate magnate Larry Silverstein, was similarly dealt a poor hand with a 4-2 CAC decision.

Six proposals remain for the three licenses based on the votes.  Each CAC has yet to cast its votes.

Freedom Plaza Odds

With Caesars Palace and The Avenir no longer, and Wynn Resorts withdrawing out of the race in May, there leaves just one bid in Manhattan.  It originates from Mohegan, the Mohegan Tribe's commercial gambling organization in Connecticut, and the Soloviev Group.

Dubbed Freedom Plaza, the $11 billion presentation would transform a five-acre land that the Soloviev family has owned for many years.  Just south of the UN headquarters, Soloviev and Mohegan have partnered to offer an integrated resort that will be complemented by over 1,000 new residences, 600 of which will be affordable.  The destination, along with resort and casino,would contain a “museum dedicated to democracy,” a community center, a daycare center, a food market, and retail shopping.

Soloviev CEO Michael Hershman believes one of the downstate casinos should be in Manhattan, the heartbeat of NYC.

"Despite the defeat today of two formidable applicants, we remain confident that one license should be awarded in Manhattan. Attracting more tourists than any other borough, the city should have a fully integrated resort that is fitting of its position as the global capital of the world,” Hershman said in a release to Casino.org.

“Proposing historic levels of public benefits, the $11 billion project will activate a long-dormant lot with urgently-needed new housing, create a huge public park advancing community connection to the waterfront, bring in dynamic hotels with diverse dining and modern entertainment that will power thousands of union jobs and generate revenues funding hundreds of millions in legally-binding community benefits. A transformative, generational piece of urban planning not seen in NYC in decades, Freedom Plaza embodies our core belief that development must serve the people who live, work, and visit here,” Hershman added.

MGM, Genting Favored

Two of the three licenses have long been thought to be reserved.

Though state officials have denied that MGM Resorts and Genting are the frontrunners for two of the licenses because of their longstanding commitment in New York, respectively operating Empire City Casino in Yonkers and Resorts World New York City in Queens, most analysts think they’re solid bets for two of the licenses.

Hard Rock remains in the competition for a casino in Queens at the New York Mets field.  Coney Island is being targeted by a consortium led by Saratoga Casino Holdings and the Chickasaw Nation, and Bally’s clings to life in the Bronx.