Mohegan — previously Mohegan Gaming & Leisure — the gaming and hospitality unit owned by the Mohegan Tribe in Connecticut, is becoming a member of a bid to amass a New York Metropolis on line casino license.
The United Nations Headquarters stands tall over a roughly six-acre plot of vacant greenspace simply south of the 39-floor tower. Mohegan has joined the property proprietor Stefan Soloviev in hopes of constructing a on line casino resort on the land. (Picture: United Nations)
New York is predicted to situation three gaming concessions for the downstate space this yr. Mohegan has partnered with the Soloviev Group, the funding and holdings arm of billionaire Stefan Soloviev, a serious landowner within the US, in hopes of gaining market entry within the Large Apple.
Soloviev inherited an empire in 2020 after his father, Sheldon Solow, died with a internet price north of $4 billion. Soloviev’s actual property portfolio features a six-acre plot of vacant land simply south of the United Nations on Manhattan’s East Facet.
In November, the Soloviev Group introduced its intentions to pursue considered one of New York’s downstate on line casino alternatives. Dubbed “Freedom Plaza,” the event’s early plans embody a on line casino, two residential towers, a 1,000-room luxurious lodge, a Ferris wheel, and “the world’s first democracy museum.”
Soloviev has discovered an operator for his on line casino resort in Mohegan ought to the venture win out over a number of different anticipated bids.
“As a frontrunner in socially accountable growth, we’ll honor, praise, and advance Mohegan’s rules by means of sustainable and carbon-neutral property growth,” Soloviev mentioned in a launch. “This strategic partnership is not going to solely be certain that Freedom Plaza shall be ethically developed, however present long-term financial prosperity for the local people, a constructive impression on regional and worldwide tourism, and an enduring impression on New York Metropolis for generations to return.”
NYC On line casino Favorites
It’s an excellent guess that two of New York’s three downstate gaming licenses will go to MGM Resorts and Genting Group, which respectively function Empire Metropolis On line casino at Yonkers Raceway and Resorts World New York Metropolis in Queens.
The 2 racinos are at the moment solely allowed to function video lottery terminals and digital gaming tables. The total gaming licenses would enable the racinos to pivot to full-scale casinos with slot machines, reside vendor desk video games, and sports activities betting.
With these properties the heavy favorites for 2 of the coveted gaming licenses, only one remaining concession will presumably be up for bidding. And the bidding pool shall be fierce as Gotham’s richest tycoons put together their antes.
Hedge fund magnate and New York Mets proprietor Steve Cohen partnered with Laborious Rock Worldwide for a on line casino pitch at his Citi Discipline MLB ballpark in Queens close to LaGuardia Worldwide Airport. Fellow billionaire Stephen Ross, who in NYC is maybe greatest identified for growing Hudson Yards, has proposed constructing an built-in on line casino resort on Manhattan’s West Facet together with Wynn Resorts.
Caesars Leisure and Manhattan actual property big SL Inexperienced plan to pitch New York a on line casino resort in Occasions Sq. at 1515 Broadway. SL Inexperienced is the owner for the constructing that’s at the moment house to Viacom’s world headquarters and MTV Networks.
Then there’s Las Vegas Sands, which needs to construct a on line casino advanced on Lengthy Island in Nassau County. Sands has prompt redeveloping the Nassau Coliseum right into a gaming and leisure vacation spot.
And at last, Thor Equities is main a consortium with Saratoga On line casino Holdings, Chickasaw Nation, and Legends Hospitality for a on line casino pitch focusing on Coney Island.
Soloviev Bid Belongings
It’s typically thought that Cohen, Ross, and Sands’ plans are the three front-runners for the presumed third and last downstate on line casino license. Soloviev doesn’t have the identical identify recognition as his fellow billionaires. However he nonetheless believes his venture is healthier suited to licensure.
Not like among the different on line casino pitches being finalized, Soloviev says his venture would have the ability to be constructed with minimal disruption.
The fast surrounding space is basically undeveloped when it comes to actual property, offering a possibility for entry with out undue disruption,” the Soloviev presser defined.
Soloviev can be the one bid at the moment stressing its dedication to environmental sustainability and social accountability. The pitch’s “democracy museum” can be the one academic part included in a downstate New York on line casino scheme.
