Caesars Palace Times Square Adds Job Benefits for Broadway Workers to Casino Bid

^{Caesars Palace Times Square is strengthening its' bid for a NYC casino by offering flexible job opportunities and monthly job fairs for Broadway workers. (Photo: Brian Jannsen / Alamy)}

Caesars Palace Times Square announced Wednesday that it would offer job fairs exclusively for union actors and musicians working on Broadway as the proposal fights for one of the three available downstate casino licenses in New York.

The job fairs would be held monthly and would be open only to members of the Actors’ Equity Association and American Federation of Musicians Local 802.

Unions Praise Flexible Job Offerings

The move could be designed to consolidate existing local support, as both unions have already expressed support for the project, which is being developed by Caesars, SL Green, and Roc Nation. 

“Too often, actors and stage managers are forced to piece together work just to survive between productions,” Al Vincent Jr., executive director of the Actors’ Equity Association, said in a statement. “This collaboration with Caesars Palace Times Square creates new opportunities for our members to support themselves without leaving their professional community.”

The jobs being offered by Caesars include positions as table games dealers, bartenders, and more. The casino developers have promised to give workers flexibility to accommodate their performing careers, including everything from auditions to rehearsals and performances. The proposed location of the casino – an office building at 1515 Broadway – would also be convenient for those working in nearby theaters. 

“These recurring job fairs will offer meaningful work that respects their skills, schedules, and dignity,” AFM Local 802 President Robert Suttmann said of the musicians in his union. “We appreciate the Caesars Palace Times Square team’s willingness to meet with us directly and work on programs that directly benefit our members.”

The developers of Caesars Palace Times Square have touted a bevy of benefits for the Broadway and Hell’s Kitchen communities. That has included a promise to deliver $250 million in community benefits to the area, including a $5 million investment in health centers focused on delivering care for marginalized communities.

Broadway Community Divided on Times Square Casino

But that hasn’t led to universal support from Broadway for the casino. The Broadway League, the Shubert Organization, the International Alliance of Theatrical State Employees and Broadway Cares have argued against the proposal, saying it would threaten the family-friendly atmosphere of Times Square while increasing traffic and crowding in the neighborhood. The debate has led to back and forth between supporters and detractors, including dueling rallies held in late June.

Caesars Palace Times Square is one of seven – perhaps eight, if Bally’s Bronx can secure a last-minute lifeline – projects in competition for the three downstate casino licenses. The Broadway proposal has competition in its own backyard, as Silverstein Properties is working with Greenwood Gaming and Rush Street Gaming on a casino proposal near the Jacob Javits Convention Center.

While Caesars may have a leg up on the Avenir in our New York casino race odds, there are plenty of other strong competitors. That includes the two racinos in Queens and Yonkers that already offer limited gaming options, as well as the Metropolitan Park proposal adjacent to City Field.