Rap mogul Jay-Z has pledged $250 million to New York’s west midtown area if his Roc Nation casino project, in collaboration with Caesars Entertainment and SL Green, is awarded one of the three downstate casino licenses.
Pay to Play
Several powerful people and companies are vying for three downstate New York casino licenses, but if rapper and serial entrepreneur Jay-Z has his way, one of those licenses will be earmarked for 1515 Broadway, the site of his proposed Caesars Times Square Casino. He has even pledged more than $250 million to the neighborhood to show his good faith, and in return, he is hoping they will pledge their support.
Gaining the support of the community is a critical piece of the puzzle for the New York Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB), and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation has been courting various local organizations that are not all smitten with his appeals, which have included free eight-hour buffets and other offerings used to curry favor with community leaders.
“We are New Yorkers. Supporting and providing opportunities for our neighborhoods and community isn’t just a part of Roc Nation’s ethos…it’s our collective responsibility,” said the rapper.
“Any proposal that wins a gaming license will undoubtedly profit. Our vision is to give back to New York and ensure that the Broadway community, Hell’s Kitchen, and the surrounding businesses and areas all benefit. And not just for a minute, but for the long term.”
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation would donate an initial $15 million to the local community, followed by scheduled grants based on 0.5% of the casino’s revenue. In other words, a win for the casino will be a win for the Hell’s Kitchen community.
Not Everyone’s a Fan
Surveys reveal a stunning 71% of registered voters in the area oppose a casino in Times Square, while only 23% approve of it. Despite Roc Nation’s many overtures, the needle has not moved much over the last few years, but perhaps this most recent pledge will get the people who matter on his side.
The most recent in-person appeal occurred in early September when representatives from the triumvirate of Roc Nation, Caesars, and SL Green met with residents of Manhattan Plaza, a 46-floor subsidized apartment complex in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, to promote the benefits of the Caesars Times Square Casino and why it will be good for all who live and work in the community.
Tenant Association President Aleta LaFargue had previously dubbed casinos a “predatory business” at a meeting last year. However, this time she struck a milder tone and told her fellow tenants, “I know there’s a lot of feelings about whether or not our community gets a casino, but here we are to listen to what they have to say, what they have to offer.”
A local news outlet, The City, later reported that it had obtained a contract that revealed Roc Nation offered LaFargue, a lifelong resident of the subsidized complex, $20,000 per month to be an independent contractor.
According to the document, her duties would be to “advise and support the company as it relates to community engagement,” “provide strategic counsel as it relates to assisting the Company with its mission to have a positive social impact,” and “attend meetings and select mutually agreed community events.” LaFargue has subsequently written that she has refused the opportunity.
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