Times Square Needs Broadway to Thrive, Not a Casino
by Chris Peterson
One of the hottest debates in New York right now isn’t on a stage. It’s happening just above one. A $4 billion casino proposal is aiming to take over 1515 Broadway, right on top of the Minskoff Theatre, home to The Lion King. Backed by Caesars Entertainment, SL Green, and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, the plan includes eight floors of gaming, nearly a thousand hotel rooms, and a massive bet on the future of Times Square.
At first glance, the pitch has its appeal. Hundreds, if not thousands, of union jobs. Millions in tax revenue. Promises of improved public safety. There’s money earmarked for Hell’s Kitchen nonprofits, and support from some major labor unions, including Actors’ Equity and AFM Local 802. After the chaos and cancellations of the past few years, it’s easy to see why some in the performance community see this as a new source of steady work.
And let’s be honest, performers and crew members know how unpredictable this industry is. For some, the possibility of long-term contracts, union benefits, and a reliable paycheck is enough to give this proposal serious consideration. It could mean live entertainment inside the casino. It could mean new production jobs. It could mean opportunity.
But the Broadway business community at large isn’t buying it. And they’re right to be concerned.
Times Square is already one of the most crowded, chaotic places in the world. Add in casino traffic, delivery trucks, rideshares, and tour buses, and the gridlock becomes unmanageable. This isn’t just a traffic issue. It’s about access, safety, and the ability for audiences to make their curtain on time.
Then there’s the deeper fear. A casino doesn't send people out into the neighborhood. It traps them inside. Theatres, restaurants, and small businesses depend on foot traffic. They depend on patrons who want the full Times Square experience. A casino changes that equation. It keeps people eating, drinking, and spending in one place. And it’s not a theatre.
This proposal also reopens a chapter of Times Square that New York worked hard to close. It wasn’t that long ago that this area was known more for crime and chaos than culture. The revitalization of Times Square and the growth of Broadway went hand in hand. A casino brings risks that go beyond economics. It raises concerns about addiction, exploitation, and the kind of environment we want in the center of our city.
Polls show 71 percent of local voters are against it. That includes a huge cross-section of civic groups, arts organizations, neighborhood leaders, and theatre professionals. And while some unions have signed on, others like IATSE are firmly against it. There’s no consensus. Just a deep divide.
Supporters point to cities like Las Vegas, where casinos and entertainment coexist. But Times Square isn’t the Strip. This is a historic neighborhood built around live performance, not a gaming destination. Broadway theatres aren’t flashy side attractions—they’re the main event. Shifting the focus away from that could upend the entire local economy.
The argument that this will somehow help Broadway misses the bigger picture. Broadway doesn’t just need employment opportunities for artists. It needs ticket buyers. It needs tourists exploring the neighborhood, buying a T-shirt, stopping by a deli, and coming back again the next night. That’s what fuels the ecosystem. That’s what keeps this community alive.
Yes, we need jobs. Yes, we need smart investment in the arts. But not like this. Not in the middle of the most iconic theatre district in the world. This isn’t a question of being anti-progress. It’s a question of whether this kind of development supports or undermines the identity of Times Square.
Broadway doesn’t need a casino to survive. It needs audiences. It needs energy. It needs momentum. Build your casino somewhere else. Let Times Square be what it’s always meant to be. A place where stories come to life—not where dreams go to die at the slot machines.