Jay-Z visited Albany on Monday, May 19, meeting with top state lawmakers to rally support for a proposed Times Square casino backed by Roc Nation, Caesars Entertainment, and SL Green.
According to the New York Post, the music mogul met privately with Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie to promote the project, which would transform 1515 Broadway—the current home of The Lion King—into a state-of-the-art gaming and entertainment complex.
The bid is one of several vying for one of three downstate casino licenses expected to be awarded by the end of 2025. Jay-Z’s visit came the same day a competing Hudson Yards casino proposal was pulled due to community backlash, potentially giving the Times Square project new momentum.
Despite that development, the Times Square proposal continues to face stiff opposition from local stakeholders, including the Broadway League and the “No Times Square Casino” coalition. Both groups argue that the development would disrupt the cultural and economic balance of the iconic district.
With the downstate casino license race heating up, Roc Nation and its partners hope Jay-Z’s influence can help sway key decision-makers and secure their place in one of New York’s most competitive development battles.