At Centre Of Universe, Like King Kong, Caesars Entertainment Plans To Scale Top of Empire State

Already leading the prestigious race to dominate New York State sports betting, currently the hottest ticket in US iGaming, Caesars Entertainment is planning to take a second bite of the Big Apple by opening the first ever casino in Times Square.

“As one of the largest mobile sportsbooks in New York, [we are] passionate about New York itself,” said Caesars CEO Tom Reeg.

“Caesars is also deeply invested in New York-based restaurant groups, chefs and entertainers from across the Empire State.”

Facing tough competition from eight other registered sportsbooks in New York State, among them FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, PointsBet and BetRivers, the gambling and entertainment Omnichannel has been consistently voted the top online sports betting operator since iGaming books launched at the beginning of this year.

Now, predict gambling industry watchers, this reporter included, the ground-breaking casino move–in partnership with the SL Green Realty company—will further entrench Caesars’ dominance across all Empire State verticals.

Caesars and SL Green will submit a request for planning permission to redevelop 1515 Broadway, a property just off Times Square, also known as One Astor Plaza, current headquarters of media company Paramount Global (incorporating Viacom) and the Minskoff Theatre, home of Disney’s “The Lion King” musical.

In addition to a casino, the new complex—to be called Caesars Palace Times Square–will feature a state-of-the-art sports betting floor and restaurants.

“[This will be] a five-star project that will meet and exceed New Yorkers’ expectations for world-class entertainment,” said Reeg.

“It will immediately enhance New York City’s tourism engine and elevate this one-of-a-kind global destination to new heights.”

The new casino would be a major boost to the local economy, added SL Green CEO Mark Holliday.

“Times Square offers the best location for a new resort casino that can attract tourists and benefit local businesses.

“It is the centre of the entertainment universe.

“Because we are proposing a renovation, once the license is issued, we can open quicker than other facilities, which require entirely new construction, changes in law and will be disruptive to their local communities.”

A little bit of hyperbole, as every porn and peep show barker in the once-infamous “The Deuce” knows, can go a long way.

But with other operators—among them Las Vegas Sands, Universal Entertainment and Wynn Resorts—are also planning to launch downstate casinos in New York, imitation remains the sincerest form of flattery.

It’s enough to take Caesars Entertainment, the King Kong of the gaming world, to the very top of the Empire State.