Residents within the neighborhoods round Occasions Sq. strongly oppose the world changing into house to a on line casino lodge. That’s in response to a brand new ballot by Tulchin Analysis.
Jay-Z is a part of a growth group that wishes to carry an built-in on line casino resort to Occasions Sq.. Many citizens who dwell within the neighborhood oppose the on line casino effort. (Picture: Getty)
The Occasions Sq. on line casino group is led by Caesars, actual property developer SL Inexperienced, and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation leisure company, a extremely recognizable consortium that has some grass-roots work to do. The ballot signifies 71% of these surveyed oppose the on line casino effort, with 59% saying they “strongly oppose” it whereas simply 23% of voters within the Occasions Sq. space again a gaming venue.
This strong opposition cuts throughout all main demographic teams, together with significantly robust objection amongst ladies, with 77% opposed (62% strongly opposed), and voters aged 55 and over, the place opposition reaches 81% (68% strongly opposed),” famous Tulchin.
Maybe telling concerning the depth of the anti-casino sentiment is the extent to which males dwelling in and round Occasions Sq. view the thought in a unfavourable gentle. General, 65% of males within the space don’t favor a gaming venue in Midtown Manhattan whereas 63% of males within the 18 to 54 age group — a significant demographic for gaming firms — oppose it.
Site visitors, Crime Amongst Causes Occasions Sq. On line casino Opposed
Residents’ causes for not endorsing the Occasions Sq. on line casino pitch are straightforward to grasp. Eighty-one p.c imagine a gaming venue will worsen visitors within the already extremely congested space whereas 80% imagine the property would contribute to extra crime. The identical share imagine the on line casino would make Occasions Sq. a much less nice a part of New York by which to dwell and work.
The purpose about crime jibes with the findings of a survey by the State of affairs Group. That ballot, launched earlier this yr, didn’t particularly deal with the on line casino plan, nevertheless it did reveal that prosperous New Yorkers 55 and up dwelling within the suburbs are more and more reluctant to journey to Occasions Sq. to see Broadway exhibits as a consequence of perceptions that crime is growing within the theater district.
Relating to Broadway, 65% of these polled by Tulchin suppose a on line casino lodge would harm theaters whereas one other 64% see a gaming venue as a possible headwind to space small companies, together with eating places.
Caesars and SL Inexperienced are trying to allay these issues. Final yr, the businesses introduced that quite a lot of companies in Occasions Sq. could be linked to Caesars Rewards to drive prospects of the on line casino lodge to eateries and outlets within the theater district.
Occasions Sq. Dangerous On line casino Location, Say Voters
Based on Tulchin, simply 9% of voters queried imagine Occasions Sq. is the optimum location for a brand new on line casino lodge whereas simply 12% mentioned they favor gaming venues being constructed anyplace in New York Metropolis, together with Occasions Sq..
In what might probably replicate general sentiment towards casinos within the Huge Apple, 24% of these polled by Tulchin mentioned they’re OK with a gaming venue within the metropolis so long as it’s not in Occasions Sq., however 49% don’t need new casinos anyplace within the metropolis.
At the moment, Caesars and Wynn Resorts are the massive names eyeing gaming venues in Manhattan whereas different opponents are eying the Bronx, Brooklyn, Nassau County, and Queens.
