Coney Island casino plan rejected amid fierce local opposition
Plans for a new casino in Coney Island have been rejected by the local community. The proposal, led by Thor Equities alongside Chickasaw Nation and other partners, faced strong opposition from residents. Meanwhile, another casino bid—this time near Citi Field—will soon go to a vote.
The Coney Island casino project was turned down by a 4-2 vote in the local community advisory committee (CAC). Developers had promised more funding for public safety and community trust earlier this month, but these offers failed to sway opinion. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso suggested the outcome might have changed if certain plans had been introduced sooner. City Councilman Justin Brannan confirmed that most locals were firmly against the idea.
The rejected proposal included a $3.4 billion resort development. Thor Equities, Chickasaw Nation, Legends Hospitality, and Saratoga Casino Holdings were the key backers. With this decision, attention now shifts to the final casino bid under review—a project near Citi Field. Its CAC vote is scheduled for Tuesday. Elsewhere, Steve Cohen aims to join Bally's, MGM Empire City, and Resorts World New York City as applicants awaiting final approval from the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC). The commission is expected to select licensees before the end of 2025. Industry observers also anticipate a push for online casino legalisation in 2026, following the land-based licence decisions.
The Coney Island casino plan has been halted after local opposition. The Citi Field proposal remains the last to face a community vote this week. If approved, it will join other bids awaiting the NYSGC's final decision by the end of next year.
