Manhattan Borough Presidential Candidates Debate Future of Downstate Casinos

_{State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal has taken a firm stance against local casino development. (Image: ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy)}

The three Democratic candidates for Manhattan Borough President (MBP) participated in a debate hosted by Spectrum News NY1 on June 4, and the potential for a casino destination in the borough was one of the most heated topics during the roundtable discussion.

The three invited candidates each offered differing perspectives on what casino gambling could mean for Manhattan, either for good or for ill.

Leading Candidate Tells Casino Supporters: ‘Don’t Vote for Me’

The most striking comment came from State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan), one of the favorites to win the MBP position. Hoylman-Sigal is adamantly against a casino in Manhattan, a stance he reiterated during the debate.

“If you want a Manhattan casino, don’t vote for me,” Hoylman-Sigal said.

But Hoylman-Sigal’s opponents attacked this stance. City Councilmember Keith Powers, the other leading candidate, accused Hoylman-Sigal of flip-flopping after he voted to legalize downstate casinos in the New York Senate.

“This is the classic Albany approach,” Powers said. “Come down to the city, say one thing; get on the train, do the opposite.”

Powers, who has the endorsement of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, has said that he would consider neighborhood feedback when it comes to whether any casino proposals should be approved. But Hoylman-Sigal argued that “not a single one” of his Manhattan constituents has asked him to support casinos in their neighborhoods.

Candidates Have Casino Proposals in Backyards

Both Hoylman-Sigal and Power currently represent districts that include a casino proposal. Powers’ council district includes the Freedom Plaza project proposed by Mohegan Sun and the Soloviev Group, while Hoylman-Sigal’s senate district includes "Silverstein Properties’ proposed casino. The Caesars Palace Times Square proposal would also be located in Hell’s Kitchen.

The third candidate, emergency physician Calvin Sun, attempted to give a more moderate answer when it came to allowing casinos in Manhattan.

“I know gambling is bad for your health,” Sun said. “But you know what’s worse? Running out of money.”

While the casino issue might be a hot button topic for Manhattan residents, Democratic strategist Trip Yang told Crain’s New York Business that the varying opinions on casino gaming probably won’t make a difference in the borough president race, with Yang saying Hoylman-Sigal is a favorite simply for being from the West Side, which tends to have higher turnout.

“Most candidates running for borough president really act like they’re running for mayor – or mayor of their borough,” Yang said.

The proposed casinos in Manhattan are among as many as nine major proposals that might vie for a maximum of three downstate casino licenses. 

Racinos in Queens and Yonkers appear to have the inside track on two of those licenses, while there are several other competitive bids as well, including the Metropolitan Park proposal adjacent to Citi Field and a Bally’s proposal at the former Trump Golf Links course in the Bronx.