New Casinos

https://nycasinos.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2025/07/evaleconslrr13.masterplan.redacted.pdf

https://www.casinos.com/us/news/proposed-nyc-casino-would-allow-local-residents-to-own-a-piece-of-it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzQN4SqUxNk

Any opinions on Freedom Plaza proposal?

I think the casinos are good. They will bring jobs, revenue and more people to the city that in addition to gambling will hopefully spend money on local businesses. I do understand why some people associate casinos and gambling with unsavory characters but I think that’s just a silly stereotype. I like to play the occasional hand of blackjack, for me it’s pure entertainment and I would much rather lose $200 playing blackjack in a casino over a couple of hours than pay the same amount to see a Broadway show or have dinner at a fancy restaurant. Gambling is everywhere in NY, even state sanctioned lotteries are legalized gambling. There’s sports betting and I could go on and on. I wouldn’t even care if the casino was a block from my home. Now I don’t have kids and I do think any casino should not be near schools. Many people gamble responsibly but it’s not something I would necessarily want my kids to start

How far from a school do you think should it be allowed?

The proposed Freedom Plaza casino is from 38th to 41st street on First ave.
There is a 3K center on 38th street on the other side of first ave and an elementary on 35th street and 1st ave. https://www.schools.nyc.gov/schools/M281

I fail to see why distance from a school is any concern. There's a plan for a day care center *in* *the* *building*. Will they teach the kiddies how to count using decks of cards? Teach money skills by converting chips to bills? Probably be a better math education that what they're getting in the current system. I don't think they're planning on having barkers out on the street cajoling passersby to come in, or ginormous flashing neon signs of slot machines and pole dancers. It's hard to tell from the presentation, but given the ghastly state of architecture these days, it will likely be an anonymous glass facade - like what houses most of the existing temples of financial gambling in NYC. I'm more offended by the name, the ideas (certainly not well thought out plans) for the 'museum & community center', and the claim made for the Soloviev Foundation's art collection.

If it's approved, east-facing Tudor city units will lose some views, but maybe be airbnb-able as gambler's crash pads (or hot sheet spaces). Watch for potential bargains, then price appreciation there.

While we're at it, let's bring back OTB. What could go wrong?

With the Congestion On Purpose Mandates and a huge project like this I can easily see first Avenue becoming a parking lot

Although I like the idea in theory, regarding creating jobs and bringing money and a few harmless hands of blackjack. I think the reality of most casinos is slightly different, and all it takes is a visit to Atlantic City. And I was also thinking of the OTB's! I remember the cheerful commercials for them on television. And I also remember the reality of walking by one, although in most cases you crossed the street to avoid it!

If people are really “afraid” of walking by a casino and feel the need to cross the street to the other side, they really need to re-examine living in a city like NYC. There is a lot worse on the streets that one is exposed to and it’s all part of living in a very large and dense city. I think the jobs a new casino will bring will be highly beneficial, it will bring in more people (not everyone is a fan of Broadway and fine dining), and hopefully some of the revenue can be used to improve infrastructure in the city such as improving our mass transit although of the last point I’m least optimistic as I’m sure the politicians and “powers to be” will try to take more than their fair share rather to benefit the city

With plenty of drug addicts, needles, and homeless in busy areas now, how much harm could a casino located in a high rise building do? One could say that a methadone clinic or safe injection site is far more harmful than this proposed multi-use building. Single use at store-front level for casino would be more problematic.

Methadone clinics are hidden in plain sight all over the city, and have been for many years. The thing is most people who utilize them are not the stereotypical drug addict you see laying out on the street. They are folks also hiding in plain sight; lawyers, doctors, bankers, doorman, etc. I've never knew known one to have a very negative impact on a neighborhood.

However, if you lived in New York in the '70s and '80s when there were off track betting parlors scattered throughout the city, for lack of a better word, you basically had degenerates loitering around. But yes, that's another story, another time. As far as casinos go, I think having them in New York City will be closer to what you see in Atlantic City and not Monaco. Have you been to a casino in AC? How'd that work out?

But that's just my opinion.

Casinos are trashy.

Not the case any more. They provide needles and safe injection as well. Prime example with be the one close to Houston, Mercer/Broadway. I have a friend who grew up in the Village, lives in 200 Mercer, and he told me it is indeed very problematic with small playground close to it littered with needles. And an expert told me that he hasn't seen many people get off Methadone. It is just a business funded by public money.

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The thing is most people who utilize them are not the stereotypical drug addict you see laying out on the street.

https://nypost.com/2025/06/29/us-news/noho-hellscape-opioid-clinic-welcomes-junkies-jabbing-their-necks-and-oding-in-playgrounds-to-posh-nabe/

There another one I know on Fulton in Clinton Hill. A lot of junkies there all day.

There's a difference between a licensed methadone clinic. And strung out junkies getting clean needles to shoot up stuff that they've purchased on the street.

You don't wind up looking like a zombie with a needle hanging out of your body when you're taking prescribed methadone.

Keith, What do you call this clinic? This one has junkies all around with needles.

https://greenwichhouse.org/health-services/center-for-healing/

Anyway, this is about casinos. However, I'm talking about clinics that provide/prescribe methadone in measured vials to heroin addicts with the goal to wean them off heroin. I had two friends that utilized these clinics, one a art director, another a nurse. They both got off heroin this way, even though most don't.

One of the methadone clinics was located in my office building on 19th Street between 5th and 6th avenue. Funny story, that's how I discovered he was addicted to heroin. I bumped into him in the lobby, and that's when he told me what he was there for... Sounds like they're not all like this.

Keith, Look at this. It is a safe injection site along with opiod treatment. I don't know enough whether these safe injection and free needles etc are part of all methodone clinics or just some.

https://onpointnyc.org/drop-in-centers/
https://onpointnyc.org/clinical-care/

Back to casinos: the freedom plaza community hearing starts in 15 minutes.

Casinos have worked out so wonderfully for Atlantic City. They are a sign of desperation and pull consumer money from other uses.

While I'm prevented by NDAs from discussing the details, as a casino design consultant it's not what you think it is.

Who here knew that in general the ONLY thing a casino needs to "prove" that you are cheating and to blacklist you is that you win?

Doesn't how often you win factor in?

Yes

So looks like the community board is very much opposed to the casino plan.

So looks like the community board is very much opposed to the casino plan.